Description of mini-horse breeds and care rules, the smallest individuals in the world

A miniature horse is a decorative pet that differs from a pony in its proportional build. Dwarf breeds are smaller copies of tall animals. Varieties of mini-horses differ in appearance. A kind and smart pet will become a child's best friend. The main thing in caring for a small horse is to comb its mane, feed it properly and let it run around.

Origin of small horses

The ancestors of decorative ponies have long been known in the world. The ancient Celts knew about them in the 5th century AD. Drawings of small horses decorated the walls of sanctuaries and household items. King Louis XIV collected rare animals. The monarch's menagerie included dwarf horses.

Purposeful selection of mini-horses for household use began in England in the 18th century. Hardy animals were harnessed to carts loaded with coal. The first decorative breed was created in Argentina by crossing a tall horse and a pony. Hereditary Falabella breeders and breeders from Buenos Aires introduced mini horses in the early 20th century. American breeders continued the experiments of their Argentine colleagues and developed several more breeds.

Genetic features

A dwarf horse has a different genotype than tall horses. The external qualities of subsequent generations improve. Children grow shorter than their parents. The gene responsible for short stature in rare cases causes pathologies in skeletal development.

Advantages and disadvantages of being short

Dwarf breeds are a compromise for horse lovers who do not have suitable conditions for keeping a large animal. A live horse the size of a toy rocking horse will not frighten a child. A pet will brighten up an elderly person's leisure time.

The character of a mini-horse is similar to that of a dog. She becomes attached to her owner and can be trained. Dwarf breeds have more acute hearing than dogs. Animals are used as companions by people with physical disabilities.

Other advantages of a short breed:

• easy transportation - a standard van is suitable for transportation;
• food costs are half as much;
• no need to shoe;
• less space is required in the stable - two mini-horses can fit in one stall measuring 3x4 meters;
• live on average 35 years, the child will grow up with the pet;
• They behave calmly with people and relatives.

The negative side of the purchase is the high price. The cost of a mini-horse foal starts from 240 thousand rubles.

Use of mini horses

Dwarf horses have a good character, are easy to train and have an unusual appearance. The abilities of mini-horses are used in medicine, entertainment and home maintenance. Dwarf horses can be found:

• in a private home, as a pet;
• at a specialized exhibition;
• in a circus act;
• in the children's neurological department of the hospital, neurosis, cerebral palsy, and autism are treated with hippotherapy;
• on hiking trails.

Sensitive animals serve as guides for the blind. Mini-horses can support a weight of up to 30 kilograms on their backs, and can pull up to 90 kilograms in a cart. They teach horse riding to young children. A pony can be clumsy and arrogant for a child. An easy-going dwarf horse will help you feel confident in the saddle.

The most famous breeds

Kennels breed four breeds of mini-horses. Individuals differ in appearance. Their height reaches 86 centimeters at the withers.

Mini Appaloosa

The birthplace of the breed is the USA. The tall appaloosa was developed by American Indians from Lake Palouse. Breeding scientists have reduced the height of horses to 95 centimeters. External characteristics:

• neat head;
• wide neck;
• small hooves with dark vertical stripes;
• speckled body color.

The breed, new to Russia, has long been known and loved by breeders in Europe and America.

American miniature

The breed is distinguished by its athletic build. Muscles stand out on properly positioned limbs.The structural features of the head are a slightly parabolic profile and a wide forehead. The American Mini Horse looks like an elegant thoroughbred horse. The exhibition stand is in her genes. It is easy to teach animals the Spanish step. Mini-American breed horses They are friendly towards each other and other pets. They can be harnessed to small carts.

Falabella

Animals of the Argentine breed are the shortest of the mini-horses. Height at the withers is 75 centimeters. A Falabella horse weighs from 20 to 60 kilograms. It has fewer ribs than other breeds. The soft, silky coat and mane require careful grooming. Externally, the horse looks simple - a large head with an even profile, thin legs. Falabella horses are easygoing with children and the elderly. Smart animals are trainable. In favorable conditions, a pet can live up to 40 years.

Shetland pony

The progenitors of the breed are ordinary ponies. The breeders' goal was to develop small animals with symmetrical body proportions and calm personalities. Shetland ponies are cute, fluffy mini-horses with a massive body and straight legs, wide-set ears and expressive eyes. Features of the breed also include rounded hooves, a lush mane and tail. Strongly built, hardy Shetland ponies rarely get sick.

Content nuances

A mini horse is cared for in the same way as a normal sized animal. For one pet, you can set aside a corner in an outbuilding on the site. To keep two or more horses you need a stable.

A prerequisite is to provide a pen for the pet to run and play. Dwarf horses are active but heat-loving animals. The stable room needs to be insulated.

Mini-horses need to be vaccinated against influenza and tetanus, prevented from worming, and taken to the veterinarian twice a year for examination.

Arrangement of the stables

Requirements for the place where the mini-horse is kept:

• stall area for 2-3 animals - 12 square meters;
• infrared radiation;
• insulating layer of blankets on the wall;
• fresh air, but not draft;
• a bedding of sawdust or hay on the floor.

The apartment is not very suitable for keeping a dwarf horse. Your pet needs space to play and freedom of movement. The mini horse does not go to the toilet in the litter box like a cat. In the USA, mini breeds are kept in private homes, with diapers and boots on their hooves. But a walk twice a day or a diaper will not solve the problem of lack of movement and fresh air. In the confined space of an apartment, the pet will become sad.

Care

The mini-horse is cared for according to the standard daily regimen:

• clean the stall, change the bedding;
• comb the fur and mane, bathe;
• clean hooves;
• fed;
• let out for a walk;
• trained.

To clean the stall you will need a fork and a brush. The soiled bedding is replaced with fresh straw and sawdust. The premises are disinfected once every six months. During disinfection, the horse must be moved to another place.

Feeding

The diet of a mini-horse includes:

• grass, hay;
• vegetables;
• corn;
• porridge;
• vitamins and minerals.

It is beneficial for dwarf horses to eat root vegetables - beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage. If animals live on a farm, they are released to pasture and additionally fed with mineral food. Dwarf breeds react acutely to vitamin deficiency. Mini horses chew slowly and thoroughly so that the food is gradually digested. They should not be rushed or underfed.Hungry animals swallow food, and it is poorly digested in the stomach.

The basis of the horse's diet is rough grass food and hay. Porridge can be given in small quantities. Otherwise, the pet is at risk of obesity. Decorative breeds quickly gain weight, especially with a lack of physical activity. Obesity leads to metabolic disorders, diseases of the joints and spine.

Shetland ponies suffer from obesity more often than other breeds. To calculate the norm and choose a diet based on the breed, it is better to consult a veterinarian. Water is given several times a day: 3 times in summer, 2 times in winter. To ensure that your pet drinks at any time, install an automatic drinking bowl. It is important to keep the container clean and add water. Utensils for eating and drinking are disinfected every month.

Hygiene and mane care

The mini-horse's coat is cleaned every day with a brush and scraper. The average time allotted for cleaning is 15 minutes. The mane and tail are washed with shampoo and conditioner and combed with a comb. In summer, the pet is bathed after active games. Sweat is washed off with warm water. In winter, dry cleaning is sufficient. A dwarf horse should be brushed carefully while standing in front or to the side. Despite its good nature, the animal can reflexively kick in response to a careless action with a scraper.

The horse's hooves are cleaned after a walk. Debris is removed using a special hook. Teeth are examined every six months. An oral inspection can be included as part of your routine veterinary exam.

Reproduction

Falabella horses reach sexual maturity at 4 years of age. Females of the Argentine breed have the longest pregnancy among ornamental species - 13 months. Breastfeeding lasts 9 months. Foals find their mother by a special smell.Mini-horses begin independent life after a year.

American Miniature and Mini Appaloosa females carry their young for 11 months, like tall horses. Just like the falabella, they feed their foals with milk for a year. In the third year of life, individuals of the American breed are ready to reproduce. Appaloosa reach sexual maturity at four years of age.

Reproduction of Shetland ponies occurs in the same way as standard breed horses. A female can give birth to two foals. A newborn foal is on its feet within 2 hours and soon begins to run. Childbirth can be difficult due to small stature, so it is better to take the expectant mother to the clinic or invite a veterinarian to her home. In dwarf horses, the growth gene is dominant. If you cross a regular breed with a miniature breed, the cubs will not grow taller than a meter at the withers.

Interesting facts about tiny horses

In the history of mini-horses, there are cases of record low growth.

Lilliputian horses from the Guinness Book of Records

In 2006, the filly Tumbelina, also known as Thumbelina, entered the register of record holders. With a height of 43 centimeters, she weighs 26 kilograms. The horse is considered a dwarf even for a short breed. Tumbelina has short legs, like regular ponies.

A miniature filly named Bella was born on a farm in the American state of Dakota. Her height at birth is 38 centimeters and her weight is 4 kilograms. A foal named Einstein was born in England. He is shorter and lighter than Bella: with a height of 36 centimeters, his weight did not exceed 3 kilograms.

The smallest horse in the world

Little Pumpkin, or Little Pumpkin - mini Falabella horse. She was born on an American farm in South Carolina. The record holder's height was 35.5 centimeters. The baby weighed 9 kilograms. Pumpkin's record has not been broken since 1975.