Miniature Horse FAQ's
Q. What is a Miniature Horse?
A. The Miniature is a scaled-down model of a full-sized horse and can measure no more than 34 inches at the last hairs of the mane. The American Miniature Standard of Perfection calls for the smallest most perfectly conformed horse as the breed ideal. They come in all possible colors: pintos, appaloosas, buckskins, palominos as well as the more traditional colors: sorrel, white, blue roan, black, gray and dapple.
Q. Where did Miniature Horses come from?
A. The result of nearly 400 years of selective breeding, historians tend to support the Miniature Horse breed as a derivative of many sources. In prehistoric times small horse breeds were likely the products of surviving harsh natural climates and limited feed. Today, knowledge of genetics has made the possibility of breeding specifically for size a reality. Miniature Horses were used in England and in Northern Europe as early as 1765, to pull ore carts in the coalmines. They were also bred as pets for the royal families of Europe. The first mention of a small horse being imported into the United States was in 1888; and research shows little public awareness of true Miniatures until 1960. Popular belief is that American Miniature Horses utilized the blood of English and Dutch mine horses brought into this country and used in some Appalachian coal mines as late as 1950. The American Miniature Horse, as documented in the pedigrees of Miniatures today, also drew upon the blood of the Shetland pony.
Throughout its colorful past, the Miniature Horse breed has been bred for pets, novelty, research, monetary gain, mining work, exhibition and royal gifts.
Q. What is the size, weight and how long do they live?
A. An AMHA registered Miniature Horse can be no taller than the following for the different age groups as of January 1st of the current year.
Weanling (born this year) no more than 30”
Yearling (born last year) no more than 32”
2 Year Old no more than 33”
3 Year Old and Older no more than 34”
A new foal will weigh about 25 pounds. It will take several months for the foal to weigh more than 50 pounds. A mature Miniature will weigh between 225 and 350 pounds, depending on the size, bone structure, sex and conditioning. A Miniature horse will have the same life span as a large horse, depending upon the care received. A Miniature that has been well cared for can live to be 20 to 30 years old.
Q. What are they good for?
A. Practically anything you can do with a large horse (with the exception of riding) can also be done with a Miniature Horse. Because of their gentle, affectionate nature and small size, a Miniature Horse is an excellent pet. It is not uncommon to have a little nose nuzzling you as you try to go about your work in the barn or pasture. The foals are particularly lovable as they normally range between 16 to 21 inches in height at birth. Their birth weight is usually about 25 pounds. Many an owner has yielded to the temptation to pick up a foal like a baby and “rock away”. Many big horse owners will buy a Miniature for their children to love, learn to care for and ride years before they are ready for even the gentlest big horse. As the child outgrows riding the Miniature, it can easily pull a cart or small wagon with children and/or adults.
Miniatures also make great show horses. American Miniature Horses are shown at halter,
in-hand hunter/jumper, obstacle, showmanship, single pleasure driving, country pleasure
driving, roadster, multi-hitch, driving, liberty and costume. AMHA shows are held throughout the United States and in Canada. A complete show calendar is printed in the Miniature Horse World Magazine and listed online at www.amha.org.
Q. Do people ride Miniature Horses?
A. Miniature Horses should never be ridden by anyone over 70 pounds; however, Miniatures are extremely adept at learning to drive. Although small children are of the appropriate weight and many Miniature Horses are gentle and willing mounts, as with any combination of horse and child, caution is advised.
Q. What and how much should I feed a Miniature Horse?
A. Thankfully, Miniature Horses tend to thrive on pasture, sunshine and room to run and play. They are also prone to overeating, so it’s important to monitor their nutritional needs and avoid excessive food intake. At the same time, you want to provide nutrition appropriate to your geographical environment, your horse’s age and activity level. We recommend a call to your veterinarian and to some of the Miniature Horse trainers and breeders in your area for information specific to your location.
The American Miniature Horse Association can fax you a copy of the breeders in your area from our current Breeders List. You might also want to visit www.amha.org where many breeders are listed. Another great source of information is the bimonthly magazine, Miniature Horse World, provided as part of membership in AMHA.
Q. What types of care do they require?
A. Miniatures require much the same care as a standard size horse except in much smaller quantities. One acre of grazing is suggested for two Miniatures, but it is possible to keep one in a good-sized backyard with supplemental feeding. Just like big horses, Miniatures need their shots and a good de-worming program. Because of their size, people tend to over-protect them, but they are just as hardy as other equines with regard to weather conditions. They need to be groomed as often as possible and their feet trimmed at least four times per year.
Q. Do Miniatures have more reproductive problems than big horses?
A. Miniatures have the same gestation period as their full-sized kin– 11 months to 345 days. Miniature Horses have been successfully reproducing for many years. Some deliveries, though, may be affected by the small size of a Miniature mare and, for that reason it is wise to not only practice good prenatal care but to also monitor mares during actual foaling. Finding a veterinarian familiar with Miniature Horse anatomy and reproduction is also very important.
Q. Is it okay to turn my Miniature Horse out with large horses?
A. Ideally Miniature Horses should share their own pasture. While Miniature Horses have been known to successfully pasture with large horses, doing so adds a real and increased risk to the Miniature. One friendly or not-so-friendly kick or bite from the large horse could significantly injure the Miniature.
Q. Where can I buy tack and a cart for a Miniature Horse?
A. Visit local AMHA approved shows and talk with exhibitors in the driving classes. Or, the American Miniature Association would be happy to send you the “Horse For Everyone” booklet in which tack sponsor listings are include or fax you the listing page. You may also go to www.amha.org and look for sponsor links.
Q. What is the best source of information concerning Miniature Horses?
A. The American Miniature Horse Association, Inc. was incorporated in July 1978 to provide an organization to promote the breed and to maintain a permanent registry devoted wholly to the interest of the American Miniature Horse. AMHA is member-owned and governed organization and is opened to all interested parties. The AMHA registry is currently open to any Miniature Horse which measures 34 inches or less, whose sire and dam are registered with the AMHA, with the exception that any mature horse (at least 5 years old) which is 34 inches or less in height may be registered upon inspection and the extra hardship fee paid.
Miniature Horse World Magazine and www.amha.org are the best AMHA published
sources of information concerning Miniature Horses.
Q. I am interested in purchasing a Miniature Horse and would like advice on how to locate a Miniature Horse breeder?
A. A good start is to let AMHA send you the latest Breeders List so you may locate farms in your area.
Other steps…
1. Check with multiple breeders.
2. Locate an AMHA club in your area and talk to some of the AMHA members.
3. Always measure the horse when you purchase it. AMHA transfer documents require both the buyer and sellers signature to verify height.
4. Is the seller offering any sort of guarantee? Sometimes if you buy a mare in foal, the seller will guarantee a live foal and/or that the horse will not go over 34”.
5. AMHA has a Studbook Online to research pedigrees for AMHA registered horses. If you are going for a specific bloodline this should help. Please email commdir@amha.org for more information.
6. Become a member of AMHA to receive a bimonthly magazine called the Miniature Horse World with ads from breeders all over the US. It also shows the conformation of winning horses in some of the shows.
7. Take your time! Learn as much as you can before you buy. Information is the key!
Author
Miniature Horse FAQ’s
Courtesy of The American Miniature Horse Association
5601 S Interstate 35W l Alvarado, TX 76009
(817) 783-5600
Fax (817) 783-6403
www.amha.org