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Miniature horse

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Miniature Horse
Miniature horse at show in Europe
Traits
Distinguishing featuresSmall size, with horse phenotype 34–38 inches (86–97 cm) at the withers

A miniature horse is a breed or type of horse characterised by its small size. Usually it has been bred to display in miniature the physical characteristics of a full-sized horse, but to be little over 100 cm (40 in) in height, or even less. Although such horses have the appearance of small horses, they are genetically much more similar to pony breeds such as the Shetland.[1]: 486  They have various colors and coat patterns.

Miniature horses are present in several countries, including Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Namibia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.[2] In some countries they have the status of a breed; these include the Falabella of Argentina, the Dutch Miniature or Nederlands Mini Paard, the South African Miniature Horse and the American Miniature Horse.

They are commonly kept as family pets. Some have been trained as service animals, and others for sporting activities such as driving, equine agility and other competitive horse show events.

History

Miniature stallion with mares and foals

Miniature horses originated in Europe, where there is written and iconographic documentation of them from the late eighteenth century.[3]: 168 [4] The English began using small ponies in their mines after the Mines and Collieries Act 1842 prohibited the use of young children as mine workers. Shetland ponies were most frequently seen, although any small, strong ponies that would fit in the small mine shafts were used as pit ponies.[citation needed] Small British and Dutch mine horses were brought to the USA in the late nineteenth century,[5] and continued the work of their British relatives, being employed in the coal mines of the eastern and central US until the mid-twentieth century.[3] In the 1960s, public appreciation for miniature horses began to grow, and they were increasingly used in a number of equestrian disciplines.[5]

The Falabella was developed in Argentina in the mid-1800s by Patrick Newtall. When Newtall died, the herd and breeding methods were passed to Newtall's son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Juan added additional bloodlines including the Welsh Pony, Shetland pony, and small Thoroughbreds. With considerable inbreeding he was able to gain consistently small size within the herd.[6]

The South African Miniature Horse was developed in South Africa and has a wide range of conformations represented in its population. Some resemble miniature Arabians, while others appear to be scaled-down versions of draft horses.[7] Wynand de Wet was the first breeder of miniature horses in South Africa, beginning his program in 1945 in Lindley, South Africa. Other breeders soon followed, with many using Arabian horses in their breeding programs. In 1984, a breed registry was begun, and the national livestock association recognized the South African Miniature Horse as an independent breed in 1989. There are approximately 700 miniature horses registered in South Africa.[8]

Characteristics and registration

Miniature horse stallion

There are two registries in the United States for miniature horses: the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). The AMHA was founded in 1978 and was dedicated to establishing the miniature horse as a distinct breed of horse.[9][3] Many of the international organizations are associated with the AMHA, including clubs throughout Canada and in several European countries.[10] The AMHR is a division of the American Shetland pony Club and was established as a separate registry in 1972.[11] Worldwide, there are dozens of miniature horse registries. Some organizations emphasize breeding of miniatures with horse characteristics, others encourage minis to retain pony characteristics. Along with registries for miniature horses in general, there are also breed-specific registries, such as several for the Falabella horse.[12]

In the AMHR, Miniatures cannot exceed 38 inches at the withers (which the AMHR defines as located at the last hair of the mane). There are two divisions in AMHR: the "A" division for horses 34 inches (86 cm) and under, and the "B" division for horses 34 to 38 inches (86 to 97 cm).[13] The AMHA requires that horses stand under 34 inches. Horses of any eye or coat color, and any form of white markings, are allowed to be registered. The AMHA standard suggests that if a person were to see a photograph of a miniature horse, without any size reference, it would be identical in characteristics, conformation, and proportion to a full-sized horse.[9] According to the AMHR, a "Miniature should be a small, sound, well-balanced horse and should give the impression of strength, agility and alertness. A Miniature should be eager and friendly but not skittish in disposition."[11]

They are generally quite hardy, often living longer on average than some full-sized horse breeds; the average life span of miniature horses is from 25 to 35 years.[14] However, there are also some health issues that are more frequently found in miniature horses than their full-sized relatives. Overfeeding is a common problem in miniature horses, leading to obesity; this is especially true when owners are used to owning full-sized horses. Dental issues, including crowding, brachygnathism (overbites) and prognathism (underbites) are frequently seen, due to having the same number of teeth in a much smaller mouth. They can also experience retention of deciduous teeth (baby teeth) and sinus problems from overcrowding. The combination of a propensity for overeating and dental problems can lead to an increased occurrence of colic. A major metabolic problem seen more frequently in miniature horses is hyperlipemia, where an appetite-reducing stressor can cause the body to break down significant amounts of fat, overwhelming the liver and potentially leading to liver failure. Reproduction is also more difficult in miniature horses, with a higher incidence of difficult births and a greater potential for eclampsia. The majority of the health problems seen more frequently in miniature horses are easily rectified with proper feeding and maintenance.[15]

Uses

Miniature horses at a horse show.

There are many horse show opportunities offered by registries and show sanctioning organizations worldwide. Many classes are offered, including halter (horse conformation), in-hand hunter and jumper, driving, liberty, costume, obstacle or trail classes, and showmanship. Miniature horses are also used as companion animals and pets for children, elderly people, and people who are blind or have other disabilities, as they are generally less intimidating and have lower maintenance costs than full-sized horses.[4] While miniature horses can be trained to work indoors, they are still real horses and are healthier when allowed to live outdoors (with proper shelter and room to run) when not working with humans.[16]

Controversies

Dwarfism

Thumbelina - a Dwarf mare

Dwarfism is a concern within the miniature horse world. Dwarf horses, while often setting world records for size, are not considered to have desirable traits, generally have incorrect conformation, and may have significant health and soundness issues.[15] Therefore, many miniature horse registries try to avoid accepting minis affected by dwarfism for breeding stock registration.[17] In 2014, a commercial DNA test became available for one set of dwarfism mutations. The four mutations of the ACAN gene are known to cause dwarfism or aborted fetuses in miniature horses. The test does not detect the mutations that cause skeletal atavism in miniature horses and some ponies, or the osteochondrodysplasia dwarfism seen in some horse breeds.[18]

The oldest living horse on record was a miniature horse affected by dwarfism named Angel who lived with the Horse Protection Society of North Carolina and lived to be over 50.[14] The current record holder for the world's smallest horse is also a horse affected by dwarfism, Thumbelina, who is fully mature but stands 17 inches (43 cm) tall and weighs 60 pounds (27 kg).

Assistance animals

A demonstration image of a miniature horse working as a service animal
See also: Guide horse

There is controversy over whether miniature horses are suitable as assistance animals for persons with disabilities. Those who favor their use point out that horses live much longer than dogs and can be trained to perform similar tasks. Another advantage is that some individuals, particularly from Muslim cultures, consider dogs unclean, but accept horses.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. ^ Browse by species and country. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Dutson, Judith (2005). Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America. Storey Publishing. pp. 168–170. ISBN 1580176135.
  4. ^ a b "American Miniature Horse". International Museum of the Horse. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "About the Breed". Archived April 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine American Miniature Horse Association. Accessed April 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 183–184. ISBN 9780806138848.
  7. ^ Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 385. ISBN 9780806138848.
  8. ^ "History" Archived August 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Miniature Horse Breeders' Society of South Africa. Accessed April 28, 2014
  9. ^ a b "2014 American Miniature Horse Association Rule Book", American Miniature Horse Association, page 3. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Approved Clubs"., American Miniature Horse Association. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Unique -- Interesting -- A Class All of lts Own," Archived December 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine The Journal of The American Shetland Pony Club Accessed January 17, 2007
  12. ^ "The Top 20 Miniature Horse Registries". The Guide Horse Foundation. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  13. ^ "American Miniature Horse" Archived April 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse Registry. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Miniature Horse Facts", Guide Horse Foundation. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  15. ^ a b "The Miniature Horse: More Than Just a Smaller Horse". The Horse. January 13, 2013. Accessed April 30, 2014.
  16. ^ "Horses in the house". Guide Horse Foundation. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  17. ^ Ashby, Barbara. "Dwarfism in Miniature Horses." Miniature Horse World,, p. 37–39 June/July issue, publication year unclear, web page accessed September 2, 2007.
  18. ^ "Testing Available for Dwarfism Gene in Miniature Horses", The Horse, April 24, 2014. Accessed April 28, 2014.
  19. ^ Seeing-eye horse guides blind Muslim woman, MSNBC, retrieved February 8, 2012

Further reading

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