Miniature horses are believed to have different origins & their history goes back several hundred years. Some originated in Europe & were bred as pets for the children of nobility. These minis may have Arabian & Thoroughbred blood in them.
Some were believed to have descended from the "pit ponies" which were used in coal mines to pull ore cars because they were small enough to fit in the mine shafts. Many of these minis have Shetland & Welsh pony blood in them.
Still other miniature horses have descended from an Argentina breed know as Fallabellas. The Fallabella family dating back hundreds of years has raised small miniature horses. Fallabellas are extremely rare. The Falabella Breed has it's own FMHA Registration Association to certify their pure Falabella ancestry.
Now miniature horses are trained to pull carts or small wagons, & they can be shown competitively. You can show your mini in conformation, obstacle course, pleasure driving, jumping & hunter, roadster barrel racing, & others. Showing minis can be great family fun!
Miniature horses are not ponies. Minis are a result of very selective breeding by downsizing the regular sized horse.
Miniature horses have two main miniature horse registries in the United States. "AMHA" or (American Miniature Horse Association), "AMHR" or (American Miniature Horse Registry). A third registry not as well known is "WCMHR" or (World Class Miniature Horse Registry).
The AMHA is a closed registry. Only minis that are born to parents registered with the AMHA are allowed to be registered with the AMHA. The foal will be issued a temporary registration. If they remain 34" tall or less by the time they reach 5 years old, then they will be issued a permanent registration.
The AMHR is a division of the Shetland Pony Club. The AMHR recognizes minis in two size divisions. The "A" division is for minis that are 34" & under & the "B" division is for minis that are over 34" but no taller than 38" in height. The AMHR will issue a foal a temporary registrartion until the age of 3 years. Once they reach 3 years of age, the mini will then be issued a permanent registration. AMHR will also register foals from AMHA or AMHR parentage.
The WCMHR has 3 types of ways to register a miniature horse. (1) you can register your mini if the Dam is registered with WCMHR; the mini has a registration number with another Organization; or the mini is a gelding. (2) The horse's Dam is not registered WCMHR and horse has never been registered before; or parents are both registered in another Organization. (3) Hardship with or without Pedigree, plus they need the minis height and four pictures are required of the front, back and both sides. Any age Miniature Horse may be Hardshipped.
Mares will give birth after a gestation period of approximately 11 months, about 340 days, to uaually one foal. Genereally, foals are very strong & active within a couple of hours of birth. They weigh approximately 15 to 25 pounds & will stand from 15 to 22 inches tall. They are usually weaned at 4 to 6 months of age. A miniature horse will grow to approximately 90% of their adult height by the time they reach 1 year of age.
A full grown miniature horse can weigh from 150 to 300 pounds. Minis eat the same food as big horses do. 1st cut hay is the preferred choice for hay, 2nd cut can make a mini very fat! They should have a bit of grain each day, & plenty of water. Of course minis don't eat near as much as a big horse. Usually 1 flake per feeding, twice a day & about 1 to 2 cups of grain once a day. Minis love treats as well! But in feeding treats, they should be limited. Minis love apples, carrots, horse cookies; some will even enjoy black licorice, peppermints, & marshmallows! Always remember when feeding treats that you keep your hand flat. Little fingers can look like little carrots. They don't mean to hurt you, but it can hurt like crazy!
Shelters....Like any horse, or animal, they all need some type of shelter. A barn or a 3 sided "run in" will work just fine. As long as they can run in and get out of the weather when they want too. Horses prefer being outside rather than being stalled. My recommendation is a run in shelter.
What type of annual medical care does your miniature horse need? Minis are on the same schedule as a big horse. They usually are vaccinated in the spring. Your vet will tell you what he/she recommends. It will also depend on if your mini is around other horses; such as showing or competitions. When your vet is there, have he/she examine your minis teeth. Minis teeth are the same size as a big horse. They can also have more trouble with their teeth so it is important to have them checked regularly. Worming is also done on a regular basis. Foals/yearlings are wormed more often than older minis. You will also need a farrier to trim your minis hooves. This is usually done every 6 to 8 weeks. Prices will vary so it is important that you shop around. Usually word of mouth is a good way to find an excellent farrier.
What type of temperment does a mini have? In my opinion, the only words to describe them is "fun loving"! They are so much more relaxed & calmer than a big horse. They are easy to train & they love being with people. They are less intimidating than a big horse. They are the perfect size for a child. Those of you who are scared of a big horse, the miniature horse is just the right horse for you. You can't go wrong in owning a mini. They are a total blast!! When you spend time with your mini, they can be very therapeutic. You just kind of get lost in their little world. They make you feel really good. However, beware of a horse that pins its ears back, bites or kicks. And of course when you have a foal, they are going to nibble & check everything out, but those little horse teeth can really hurt!
Miniatures have a very long life span. It is not uncommon for them to still be reproducing while in their twenties. They can still be in excellent health into their thirties. It is rare but some can live to be approximately 50 years old. Most pass away by the time they reach 20 - 30 years old.
How strong is a miniature horse? They can actually pull 3 to 5 times its own weight. An average adult mini can easily pull two adults in a cart for approximately 10 miles. Can a child ride a miniature horse? Yes, only if it is a mature horse & the child weighs no more than 50 pounds. Adult supervision is highly recommended.
So how much is a miniature horse going to cost? That is going to vary too. A mini can be a great investment. If you are looking to by a foal, it will usually be less expensive. If you are looking for just a pet or a companion, then the price will be fairly reasonable. If you want to by a show horse, you had better be prepared to pay a much bigger price. Other things that can effect the price of a miniature are, age, color, size, bloodlines, conformation, showmanship, etc. The best thing to do is to shop around. Make a list of what you are looking for in a mini & start looking. Look at lots of mini farms. Do not buy the first one you see! There are many out there & it is a buyers market right now.
Miniature horses make excellent pets. You don't need a large farm to own them. They eat very little compared to a big horse. For anyone who has always wanted to own a horse, buying a miniature might be a great way to start out. You can learn to take care of one on a much smaller & cheaper basis. A mini would make a great little horse for a childs first horse, just as it will make an adult a fine horse too.
Enjoy those little critters!
Happy Trails!
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