Miniature horses are not called ponies. Miniature horses are merely a "scaled-down" version of a horse. These tiny equine are replicas of their larger breed cousins and will look like Quarter Horses, Arabs, Thoroughbreds, and Draft Horses.
This little horse was bred in Europe as early as the 16th century for the children of the rich and royalty. In the 20th century, they came into the United States to work in the coal mines where the ceilings were quite low.
Miniature horses measure 38" or less at the withers. The American Miniature is a "height" breed; they must measure no more than 34 inches in height at maturity. This measurement is the vertical distance from the last hairs at the base of the mane to the ground.
The American Miniature Horse Association's Standard of Perfection calls for a small, sound, well-balanced horse, possessing correct conformation characteristics. These horses are not dwarfs, runts, or "genetic" errors, but are produced by selectively breeding down in size yet maintaining as near-perfect conformation as possible.
Miniature Horses thrive on attention and display a curiosity and intelligence that make them delightful companions, allowing people of all ages to enjoy them. People who find that they can no longer handle the 1,000 pound-plus horse do not have to give up their passion for horses, they may simply switch over to the smaller animal. Those who have never experienced that very special thrill of ownership, yet always wanted to, are finding that the "mini" is a wonderful opportunity. These little horses have already proved their worth in therapeutic programs for the disabled child or adult, as well as with the aged. People in high-pressure jobs find them to be a wonderful aid in relieving stress.
Care of the Miniature Horse is the same as that of the larger breeds, however, on a much smaller scale with regard to feed, de-worming doses, medication and such. Grain is measured by the cup and roughage by a particle flake of hay. The Miniature Horse loves to be outside and several will find an acre or less plenty of room to exercise and graze, while indoor facilities are adequate with a stall size of 6 feet by 8 feet.
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