Miniature horses are a real breed of horse not a pony. According to the AMHA, Association Standards of Perfection they must be smaller than 34” in height at the withers where the last hair of the mane reaches. If both parents are registered the foal can be given a temporary registration at birth but it won’t be allowed a full membership until it is five years old and still less than 34” at the withers. In addition any foal born after December 31, 1995 must be blood typed and/or DNA tested before any offspring can be registered.
Why Choose a Miniature Horse
For over 400 years Miniature Horses were bred down from many larger breeds and for the AMHA smaller is better. They are supposed to be about the size of a large dog and still keep the characteristics of larger horses. Miniature horses are available in all colors that larger horses come in. Parents wanting to teach their children about responsibility soon realize that taking care of a Miniature Horse can be a wonderful experience. Most children that are afraid of large horses can't wait to throw their arms around the neck of a Miniature Horse.
A small storage shed sized building can provide shelter for a Miniature Horse instead of a huge barn required for larger breeds. Another advantage of Miniature Horses is that they don’t eat nearly as much as larger horses do. Opinions differ among breeders and owners about exact dietary requirements consult local equine vetrenarians to be sure. Age, stature and local conditions vary greatly and the health of the horse is whats important. For anyone who has owned larger horse breeds feed can be a major concern; with hay prices rising every time that gas goes up having smaller horses saves a lot of money.
Miniature horses have been trained as service animals for the blind performing many of the same functions that seeing eye dogs do. With proper care they can live up to 40 years, much longer than most pets.Their intelligence, small stature and friendly disposition make them ideal as service animals.
While Miniature Horses still require the same veterinary care as larger horses do getting them to the vet is much easier. Many miniature horses fit inside the cab of a truck or inside a car although if you choose to transport them that way make sure to have plastic down to catch the droppings. Two horse trailers that seem small for big horses work just fine for mini's.
Miniature Horse Carts
While they are durable the small size of the breed does make them less suited for adult horseback riding than larger horses. The most common use for Miniature Horses today is pulling a Miniature Horse Cart. Miniature Horse Carts can be custom built or purchased from a variety of manufacturers typically they are a two wheeled cart with a single seat that can hold up to two people. The miniature horse cart is made specifically with small horses in mind. It is never advisable to try to have Miniature Horses pull a full sized horse cart.
For more information about Miniature Horse Carts, Miniature Horse Tack or even Miniature Horse Breeders visit the AMHA website they have links to a large variety of information.
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