The History of the American Miniature Horse
The earliest history of miniature horses was in the 1650 A.D. records at the Palace at Versailles where King Louis XIV (The Sun King) kept a vast Zoo, replete with unusual animals, including tiny horses.
In the mid 20th Century, many distinct small horse breeds emerged including the Miniature Shetland Pony, the Miniature Toy Horse and the Midget Pony. These breeds formed this historical foundation for the Miniature Horse breed.
Developed from multiple sources, Miniature Horses were bred from many different pony breeds. They were purposely breeding for the small size of the fastest growing equine breed today.
Miniature horses were bred as pets for Europe's Hapsburg nobility in the 17th Century. However, not all early miniatures were pampered pets of kings and queens. In the 19th Century, they were used as work horses in Wales, English Midlands and Northern European coal mines as pit ponies until the 1950's.
The Falabella Miniature Horse was originally developed in Argentina in 1868 by Patrick Newell. The Falabella Horses are the smallest breed of the equine world, reaching around 30 inches in size or smaller! They were descended from Andalusian horses brought by early immigrants to the pampas of Patagonia. After failed colonization attempts, the original Adalusian horses were often left to roam free resulting developed characteristics suitable to the landscape and climate, as well as genetic mutations caused by a small gene pool.
The Falabella developed great stamina by traveling long distances and withstanding the strong sun and winds. Genetic changes resulted in the smaller size.
When Patrick Newell, the original developer of the Falabella Miniature Horses, died, the herd and breeding methods were passed to Newell's son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Additional bloodlines which include the Welsh Pony, Shetland Pony, and small Thoroughbreds were added by Juan. With considerable inbreeding he was able to gain consistently small size within the herd.
The breed was reined throughout the 20th century in the United States. Miniature horses in the USA added additional lines from sources that included the Hackney Pony and the Pony of the Americas. The Shetland pony registry opened the first American registry, a special division for Miniatures, in 1972.
The American Miniature Horse gives the impression of strength, agility, and alert intelligence and is available in all possible colors.
The American Miniature Horse as a breed is currently being standardized. The American Miniature Horse Association was organized and incorporated in July of 1978 to maintain a registry and stud-book. A Standard of Perfection was adopted in 1978 and that two basic body types, a "draft" type and a fine-boned "refined" type, were present in the existing foundation stock, the Standard called for a blending of types into an elegant little horse.
The American Miniature Horse Registry is the original registry for the Miniature Horse and recognizes two miniature divisions. Division A miniatures are up to 34" in height and Division B miniatures are over 34" and up to 38" tall. Miniature horses are popular with both children and adults. These versatile little horses can do just about everything a full-size horse can do. They are big fun in a small package.
Miniature Horse shows are hosted around the country and attract large numbers of miniature horse fans of all ages. These shows offer a variety of classes from halter and showmanship to obstacle driving and speedy roadster driving... and everything in between.
Miniatures are well suited for everyone from the novice horse person to the consummate show professional. Miniatures are extremely versatile. Their roles vary from backyard pet, to gorgeous show horses, to therapy horses for handicapped and companions to the elderly.
Whatever your interest in horses, there is a Miniature Horses suitable for the job!
