Horses in Miniature

It's no secret to those who know me that I love horses. Over the years, I've worked with the miniature horse industry and had the pleasure of writing this article for GRIT magazine. Time to share about these great little horses.


Little Horses, Big Rewards
Article and photographs by Toni Leland   

      When one is bound to a wheelchair or bedridden, the soft touch of a warm nose can make the day brighter. Those velvety noses belong to miniature horses, making headlines world-wide as goodwill ambassadors.

For anyone with small acreage and a passion for horses, these diminutive equines have the capacity to make dreams come true. From horse-lovers just starting out to senior citizens who’ve retired from keeping full size horses, miniature horses are the perfect solution. “Minis”, as they are called, are a height breed. The tallest measure just 38 inches, about the size of a Labrador Retriever! The tiniest horses reach maturity at a mere 28 inches, and most foals range from 15 to 18 inches at birth.

     The breed has origins going back to the Renaissance period. Over the centuries and from many countries, the modern miniature horse has evolved from a blend of several breeds, and has been refined into the beautiful tiny animal we see today. The first documented import of a small horse into the United States was in 1888 when a tiny Shetland Pony was discovered in a herd of 140. The pony was 31 inches tall at the withers and was named Yum Yum. With their diminutive size and sweet nature, today’s miniature equines have taken horse lovers by storm. “Can’t Have Just One” describes the infatuation with miniature horses. As of 2008, over 200,000 Minis are registered worldwide with the two largest registries: the American Miniature Horse Registry (founded in 1971 as a division of the American Shetland Pony Club, which was founded in 1888), and the American Miniature Horse Association (founded in 1978). Most of these animals are double-registered with both organizations. 

     Though most of the bloodlines have come from selected Shetland breeding, miniature horses have unique proportion, character, and size that makes them true “horses,” not ponies. The most popular Minis in the show ring today are those that resemble tiny Arabian Horses: fine-boned and delicate, with large eyes and nostrils, and lots of attitude. Breeders have imported bloodlines from England, Holland, Belgium, and West Germany, and many breeders have specialized in producing purebred Falabellas–the true Miniature Horse of Argentina.

     Les and Getitia Matheny of Buckeye Walnut Creek Farm in Circleville, Ohio have been breeding miniature horses since before they became popular. Getitia’s love for these animals is reflected in her comments. “As I look back over my forty-plus years of ownership of many different horse breeds, the American Miniature horse stands out as the one breed that completely captures not only my heart, but the hearts of our entire family--from ages 6 to 60+.” The horses at the Matheny farm are carefully bred to retain all the best characteristics of the breed, and the BWC prefix consistently shows up in the winner’s circle at shows across the country.            

     Unlike most horse breeds, Minis come in every color and coat pattern imaginable. Magnificent loud pinto patterns are highly favored by many breeders, and several Appaloosa patterns have emerged, including a stunning Leopard Appaloosa gene.           

Sheri Hill photo

     Another significant difference between miniature horses and full-size breeds is the cost of care and the amount of space needed to keep one. A full grown Mini requires only one-quarter of the grain and hay consumed by a mature Morgan or Quarter Horse. Miniatures require less pasture or turnout compared to the recommended ratio of 3 to 5 acres of pasture per full-size horse; one acre of grass pasture is quite adequate for two or three miniatures. Shelter is another area where smaller is better. In temperate regions of the U.S., Minis can remain outdoors year round, needing only a small run-in shed to protect them from hot sun, cold rain, or snow. Most times, however, they’ll still stand out in the middle of the pasture, happily grazing and oblivious to the elements. For horses kept in at night or during the winter, a 10’ x 10’ stall is a good size, but even 6’ x 8’ will suffice. Horses kept indoors produce lots of garden compost, but these smaller equine at least produce less to shovel!

Minis are great for costume classes

(Ashley Harris photo)

Sheri Hill photo

     The next inevitable question is: what can such a small horse DO? Many Miniature enthusiasts simply enjoy having their horses for companionship. Minis are loving and gentle, which makes them perfect for older adults, small children, or disabled individuals. While they cannot be ridden, except by children under 40 pounds, they are wonderful driving horses. Their jaunty trot, shiny harness, and scaled down carriage adds a special touch to hometown parades. For those who hanker after the show ring, the driving classes are the most popular. Miniature Horse shows always include fun classes such as Costume. Youngsters especially enjoy these classes where they can pick a theme and dress up both themselves and their horses to compete for prizes. Getitia Matheny believes that the miniature horse’s “versatility in disposition, athleticism, height, type and color, absolutely make them the ideal breed of horse for any family.” 

     Before rushing out to purchase one of these adorable horses, be aware that zoning laws have been challenged all across the country. These tiny horses are so easy to keep in a backyard that many a zoning committee has found itself trying to determine what the law says; is the Miniature a pet? Or is it considered livestock, and therefore not legal inside city limits? Unfortunately, in most towns, there is no benchmark of decisions that allows a prospective owner to know if the zoning laws will fall in his or her favor.

     Where Miniatures shine brightly is in their service to others. Across the country, these tiny equine are bringing joy to invalids, shut-ins, the elderly, and terminally ill children, confirming the uniqueness of their breed. They visit nursing homes and hospitals in almost every state. They charm spectators at parades and charity events, and several professional trainers have toured the country with their performing miniatures, participating in prestigious events such as the Equine Affaire held each year in California, Ohio, and Massachusetts. To learn more about these tiny equine, visit the one of the registry websites listed here. You’ll find farms and ranches near you, as well as how to get involved with the breed.

     A word of warning, however–once you’ve tasted the delight of owning a miniature horse, you can’t have just one!
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©2011 Toni Leland. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in GRIT magazine, Jul/Aug '09. No portion of this work may be reproduced without written permission of the author. Links to this article are welcomed, with proper full credit.