Selective breeding over 400 years has created the miniature horse. Originally, miniature horses were bred as pets for European nobility in the 17th century. Later they became popular in traveling circuses. In the 19th century, they served as ‘pit ponies', working in the coal mines in Wales, England and parts of Europe. Around the same time, some were exported to the United States, where stringent selective breeding aimed to perfect the horse-like conformation.
American breeders imported miniature stock mostly from Holland and England. At this time, the Falabella Miniature horse had been developed in Argentina by breeding local Crillo stock with Thoroughbred, Shetland and Welsh Pony bloodlines. It is believed that the American Miniature horse was derived from this selection. Some sources point to bloodlines being added from the Hackney pony as well. Miniature hoses worked in coalmines up until the 1950's.
Although there is some confusion between ‘ponies' and ‘miniature horses', each is distinct from one another. The objective of the miniature horse is to produce, in essence, a mini-horse, with the same conformation as a large horse- only a miniature version. Some breeders breed from other minis, while other breeders employ selective breeding methods using larger horses.
Today, miniature horses are bred as family pets and some are trained to aid disabled people. Certain registries offer plenty of opportunities for minis to show and compete in disciplines such as halter, in-hand hunter and jumper, driving, liberty, costume, obstacle and showmanship.
Miniature horses appear in all different colours including bay, black, buckskin, chestnut, dun, grey, palomino and more. Their average height is 7 to 8 hands high and they must not exceed 34 inches at the withers. Other common features include a well muscled body, a short back, long hips and straight, parallel legs.
In 1989, The Miniature Horse Association of Australia was established. The registry is divided into two categories. Category A stipulates that the horse must not exceed 86cm in height as an adult. If they exceed this limit, then the horse will be classified as a ‘small horse' and will belong to the second category, which stipulates that the horse must not exceed 96.5cm in height. A National Hight Point Competition is held by the association each year.
