Description of mini horses

The mini-horse has occupied a special niche among pets. This sweet creature has long won the favor of breeders, despite the fact that the dwarf horse is hardly taller than an eight-year-old child. Previously, mini-horses were used as porters of heavy loads. For all their miniature size, they are very hardy and have a developed muscular system.

General information and description of the exterior

Thumbnails first appeared s horses in European islands. They are considered to be the ancestor of the ancient wild horse. Stocky physique and external data due to harsh climatic conditions of the northern regions. The horse miniature breeds characterized by short stature, hairy body and a strong, lean physique. Dwarf horses, due to their growth, could perfectly get their own feed on the frozen soils of the north. Thick hair allowed the foals to adapt to cold weather, being excellent protection against frosty winds.

Miniature horses have a maximum height of 140 cm, the smallest representative has a height of 80 cm. However, their weight is from 100 to 200 kg The smallest horses weigh 14 kg.To date, such representatives are kept even in apartments as pets, like cats and dogs.

Miniature horses in different countries belong to different growth categories. For example, in the UK, the pony breed includes all representatives whose height does not exceed 150 cm, and in Germany – 120 cm. In Russia, a scale of 80 to 140 cm is used.

The main feature that won the hearts breeders, is a long beautiful mane. Beautiful braids are woven from it. Miniature horses are especially popular among children. They are used for teaching kids to ride horses, as well as in hippotherapy.

Pony species

Today everyone is accustomed to thinking that dwarf horses are a pedigree breed. However, their original purpose was hard work in the mines. Their constitution allows you to lift weight that exceeds its own several times: about 400 kg.

There are about 20 varieties of dwarf horses. Consider the most popular.

Shetland mini horses are one of the oldest species living on the Shetland Islands. The physique of dwarf horses is lean, strong. Today they are used as children’s riding horses. Pets have a good disposition. Their growth leaves only 145 cm, pinto color.

Scottish miniature horse, the second name is Highland. Habitat – Scotland.Their growth is 122-147 cm. Inside the breed, there are 2 types: small horse and mailend. Welsh dwarf horses are divided into three types:

• mountain;
• medium;
• co.

The cob is used in polo games. Their height varies from 122 to 159 cm.

Exmoor miniature horses are classified as small-harnessed animals. They are very easy to distinguish by the lighter skin around the nostrils and eyeballs, as well as the bay and brown color.

Icelandic miniature horses are very short. The maximum growth of Icelanders is only 137 cm, and sometimes individuals below 100 cm are found. Such horses can go jogging, for which they are very valuable among horse breeders.

Falabella is one of the most famous dwarf breeds. The average growth rate is 86 cm. Body weight is up to 25 kg.

Miniature Americans

The American miniature horse was bred by selection. Parents – Falabella and Shetlendets. Height – 86 cm, has a beautiful proportional physique.

American miniature horse is characterized by expressive features of the muzzle. Huge eyes are simply mesmerizing. These horses have well-developed muscles. The limbs are proportional.

Appaloosa

Appaloosa are American ponies bred by Indians. The aim of the breeding was to reduce the growth of ordinary representatives. The Indians of North America bred them, crossing Appaloosa with a European pony.

The result of the selection exceeded all expectations: the breed became a smaller copy of the Appaloosa. American ponies are very popular among breeders around the world. The height at the withers is 1 m. The main difference between the breed is mottled coloring.

American ponies are mostly kept as pets, their temper does not allow them to be used as riding animals.

Fashion trends in the world of animal husbandry

Breeds of mini-horses and ponies are two different species of animals. Mini-horses are shorter than ponies. Most often, their growth does not exceed 86 cm. Ponies are distinguished by a larger physique. Ponies for the most part shun society of people, they are more lazy and imposing, while mini-horses, on the contrary, are very sociable animals that are willing to make contact with humans.

Not every representative of the mini-species horses are distinguished by a beautiful, proportional physique. Dwarfism is a pathological disorder in the development of an animal. Dwarfism can be a consequence of:

• curvature of the spine;
• pathologies of limb development.

Almost all such pathologies are the cause of the violation in the work of internal organs. However, health problems do not deter people from buying such animals at all. According to average statistics, such a pet costs tens of thousands of dollars, and for some they ask even for half a million.

Why animals don’t actually grow

Miniature horse breeds are popular all over the world, but few people know the true reasons for their dwarfism. According to some reports, the first small horse was bred in the 50s of the twentieth century. The Comprachicos decided to create a new type of horse in order to entertain the public and not spend much space and money on keeping expensive animals.

American miniature horses were not even specially bred. At an early age, the foal was weaned from the mare. Such foals were limited in the amount of food, and most importantly, mother’s milk was completely removed from the diet, which became the main reason for the animal’s underdevelopment. With such a diet, the body loses a lot of nutrients, among which calcium is present.

As a result of malnutrition, babies develop rickets and immunity is significantly reduced. Despite the fact that many representatives of the American miniature horse breed live for a long time, this does not cancel the torment of animals. Underdevelopment of bone tissues and reduced immunity have a very strong effect on in general health.

Since the appearance of the first dwarf horses, their breeding has become very popular, but this fact is not controlled by the authorities. Breeding such horses is a simple matter, and anyone can do it, despite the pathological disease state of the animals on throughout their life. There is another version of the origin of this species. According to some facts, one herd was cut off from the outside world as a result of a landslide. In the enclosed area there was no food other than cacti. For a long time the horses lived and breed in a closed area. Each time the offspring was born more and more small.

Features of tiny representatives

Even with very small dimensions, miniature horses can carry loads of more than 20 times their weight. Another feature is the economy of the breed in terms of feed. A little horse absorbs food many times less than a pony. Miniature animals won the love of breeders due to their unpretentiousness and sociable disposition.

Due to the fact that dwarfism is still the result of underdevelopment of organ systems and the musculoskeletal system, they should be used very carefully in transportation. You can ride on them children under 3 years old with a weight of not more than 20 kg.

Where they use the abilities of crumbs

Dwarf horse breeds have been successfully used as guide dogs for the blind. In this case, they even went around guide dogs. Today, rules have been developed for the use and training of horses specifically for this purpose. The main advantage of a horse in such a difficult matter is its longevity. For all its pain, the horse lives on average 30 years, and with good maintenance – all 50. The horse is easy to train, and you can train it throughout your life, and accordingly, improve your abilities.

Another very large the advantage is the view. For dwarf horses, the visual range is 360 °. They are well oriented in space at night.Among other things, they have a balanced character, therefore it is impossible to distract from the main occupation.

Due to the fact that horses are herd animals, they have a special subordination, therefore, in a relationship a person should position himself as a leader, and already then – as a friend and partner. Only in this case is it possible to obtain a faithful and obedient animal. Such an unusual guide will have to wear special shoes in the apartment so that the hooves do not slip on the parquet or linoleum.

Conclusion

Today, about 20 breeds of dwarf horses are known. The main difference between mini-horses and ponies is their height. Mini-horses are much smaller than their counterparts. They have a calm, friendly disposition. Their main advantage is attractive external data. However, this is absolutely not an achievement of modern science.

Dwarfism is a pathology in the development of the musculoskeletal system as a result of a lack of minerals and vitamins, as well as a decrease in the body’s overall resistance. Serious pathologies in the development of bone tissue provoke disturbances in the functioning of the organ systems of the whole organism. Such serious deviations do not stop people from breeding at all and the breed is becoming increasingly popular all over the world.

How many people, so many opinions exist about the origin of the breed.Some sources say that foals were specially underfed, roaming circus performers at an early age to entertain the audience with outlandish animals. Other sources say that once a herd as a result of a landslide ended up in a closed area, where besides cacti, there was nothing more. As a result of adaptation to harsh conditions, the offspring became smaller every year, resulting in a mutation at the gene level.