What is a Miniature Horse?

The American Miniature Horse is a unique breed, but its origin may be traced to several sources. Miniature horses were used in England and North Europe as early as 1765 to pull carts in the coal mines. They were also bred as pets for the royal families of Europe. Some were brought to the United States in the late 19th century and used in the mines of West Virginia and Ohio as late as the 1950's.

The miniature horse is a scaled-down model of a full-sized horse and can measure no more than 34 inches at the withers in the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) registry (the last hairs of the mane). There are two separate divisions in the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) registry--Division A for miniature horses 34" and under, and Division B for miniatures horses over 34" but less than 38". The Standard of Perfection calls for the smallest, most perfectly conformed horse as the breed ideal. The body types can generally be divided into the finer-boned Thoroughbred or Arabian type and the heavier-boned Quarter Horse type. They come in all colors, and the pintos and appaloosas seem to be very popular with people.

A miniature Appaloosa
Photo by Barbara McDermott