Mini-horse: description of dwarf breeds, care rules and the smallest individuals

A miniature horse is a decorative pet that differs from a pony in proportion to its physique. Dwarf breeds are smaller copies of tall animals. Varieties of mini-horses differ in exterior. A kind and smart pet will become the best friend for a child. The main thing in caring for a small horse is combing its mane, feeding it properly and letting it run.

Origin of small horses

The progenitors of decorative pony horses 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 shrines and household items.King Louis XIV collected rare animals. Dwarf horses lived in the monarch's menagerie.

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

Genetic features

The dwarf horse has a different genotype than tall horse breeds. The external qualities of subsequent generations are improving. Children grow shorter than their parents. The gene responsible for short stature rarely causes abnormalities in skeletal development.

Advantages and disadvantages of short stature

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 the leisure of an elderly person.

The character of the mini horse is similar to that of a dog. She is attached to the owner, amenable to training. Dwarf breeds have more acute hearing than dogs. Animals are used as companions by people with physical disabilities.

Other Benefits of the Short Breed:

• easy transport - standard van fits for transport;
• food costs are halved;
• no need to shoe;
• requires less space in the stable - two mini-horses will fit in one stall measuring 3x4 meters;
• live, on average, 35 years, the child will grow up with the pet;
• behave calmly with people and relatives.

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

Using mini horses

Dwarf horses have a good character, are easy to train and look unusual. 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 - hippotherapy treats neurosis, cerebral palsy, autism;
• on hiking trails.

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

The most famous breeds

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

Mini Appaloosa

The birthplace of the breed is the USA. The tall Appaloosa were brought by the American Indians from Lake Palouse. Scientists-breeders reduced the growth of horses to 95 centimeters. Appearance:

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

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

American Petite

The breed is distinguished by an athletic build. Muscles stand out on correctly set limbs.The structural features of the head are a slightly parabolic profile and a wide forehead. The American mini horse looks like a graceful thoroughbred horse. The exhibition stand is in its genes. Animals can easily be taught the Spanish walk. Mini-horses of the American breed are friendly to 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 - 75 centimeters. Falabella horse weighs from 20 to 60 kilograms. She has fewer ribs than other breeds. Soft, silky coat and mane require careful care. Outwardly, the horse looks simple - a large head with an even profile, thin legs. Falabella horses are docile with children and the elderly. Smart animals are trainable. Under favorable conditions, a pet can live up to 40 years.

Shetland pony

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

Nuances of content

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

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

Minihorses need to be vaccinated against influenza and tetanus, do deworming and take them to the vet twice a year.

Arrangement of the stable

Requirements for keeping a mini-horse:

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

The apartment is not very suitable for keeping a pygmy horse. The pet needs space to play and freedom of movement. The mini horse does not go to the toilet in the tray, like a cat. In the USA, mini-breeds are kept in private homes, diapers and boots are put on the hooves. But a walk twice a day or a diaper will not solve the problem of lack of movement and fresh air. In the closed space of the apartment, the pet will feel sad.

Care

The mini-horse is groomed according to the standard scheme daily:

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

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

Feeding

The diet of the mini-horse includes:

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

Dwarf horses are useful to eat root crops - beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage.If the animals live on a farm, they are released to pasture and additionally fed with mineral food. Dwarf breeds react sharply to beriberi. 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 diet of horses is coarse herbal food, hay. Kasha can be given in small quantities. Otherwise, the pet is threatened with 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 are more likely to suffer from obesity than other breeds. To calculate the rate and choose a diet based on the breed, it is better to contact your veterinarian. Water is given several times a day: 3 times in summer, 2 times in winter. To make the pet drink at any time, install an automatic drinker.It is important to keep the container clean and top up with water. Eating and drinking utensils are disinfected every month.

Hygiene and mane care

The coat of the mini horse is cleaned every day with a brush and a scraper. Average cleaning time is 15 minutes. The mane and tail are washed with shampoo and conditioner, combed with a comb. In summer, the pet is bathed after active games. Sweat is washed off with warm water. In winter, dry brushing is sufficient. A dwarf horse should be combed carefully, standing in front or to the side. Despite its kind nature, the animal may reflexively kick in response to careless use of the scraper.

Horse's hooves are cleaned after a walk. Garbage is removed using a special hook. Teeth are examined every six months. An oral examination can be included in a routine checkup at the veterinarian.

Reproduction

Puberty of Falabella horses occurs at 4 years.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 start 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 for reproduction. Appaloosa reach sexual maturity at four years old.

Reproduction of Shetland ponies is the same as for horses of standard breeds. The female can give birth to two foals. The newborn foal is up and running within 2 hours. Childbirth can be difficult due to small stature, so it is better to take the expectant mother to the clinic or invite the veterinarian to the house. In toy horses, the growth gene is dominant. If you cross an ordinary and a miniature breed, the cubs will not grow above a meter at the withers.

Interesting Facts About Baby 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 champions. 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 US state of Dakota. Her height at birth is 38 centimeters and her weight is 4 kilograms. In England, the foal Einstein was born. 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 - a mini-horse of the Falabella breed. She was born on an American farm in South Carolina. The height of the record holder was 35.5 centimeters. The baby weighed 9 kilograms. Pumpkin's record has not been broken since 1975.

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