Special Sub-Topic: Miniature Horses Click Here To Play: Miniature Horses

Miniature Horses are small sized:

horses of any color and conformation.. Miniature horses are found in all colors and conformations. The more color and variation in the colors the better!

Miniature horses are mostly used for:

show and pets.. Miniature horses are too small for Olympic equestrian sports, coal mining is now mechanized and although I suppose you could eat them, somehow hamburger from the store suits me better!

Miniature horses are never found in pinto colors.

false. In fact, pintos are quite common and popular. Pinto coloration is defined as white and other colors in assorted patch patterns. I have a gorgeous black and white yearling mare named Cheyenne.

The maximum height for a registered AMHA horse [American Miniature Horse Association] is:

34". The maximum height according to the AMHA is 34". A horse cannot be permanently registered unless it is still at or below 34" at age 5. However, another registry, The American Miniature Horse Registry, accepts miniature horses that do not exceed 38" at 3 yrs. of age.

Miniature horses are more often than not shod with horse shoes.

false. Breeders want to preserve the genetically sound feet of this breed. Allowing owners to correct genetic hoof problems with shoes defeats this purpose. In addition, their light weight and the fact they aren't ridden negates the practical need for shoes.

One (possibly apocryphal) theory of the origins of the Miniature Horse is:

they were developed to pull Queen Victoria's carriage.. Chunky coal mine ponies may have been selectively bred by Queen Victoria's grooms to become the beautiful, refined Miniature Horses of today.

Shetland Ponies and American Minature Horses are interchangeable names for small horses.

false. Shetland Ponies and American Miniature Horses are two distinctive breeds. However, the Shetland was instrumental in the development of the Miniature Horse. Don't confuse them!

In order to measure a miniature horse's height, one measures from the ground to:

the last hairs of the mane at the horse's shoulder.. Just like any other horse, the measurement is to the last hairs of the mane also called the "withers".

Miniature horses eat the following:

all of these. (corn, oats, barley and molasses mixture., alfalfa/grain pellets., hay.). They eat the same things as a full size horse; only much less! Our miniature horses eat about 1/8 as much as a large one.

AMHA sponsered miniature horse shows can offer the following classes:

halter, driving and color.. As with most horse shows, halter classes are important, color competition is big and the horses can pull one or two people in specially made carts! In addition, obstacle (trail) classes, showmanship and riderless jumping classes for youth and adults are offered.

Miniature horse can live to be:

50 years old.. I have a friend who just lost a mare at 50 years old. Understand that most miniature horses pass away by the time they are in their twenties or thirties.

The gestation period of a miniature horse is:

11 months, 10 days.. The same as any other horse. 337 days.

Many miniature horse owners use the following as guard animals to protect their horses:

llamas.. Llamas "adopt" the herd and protect them from coyotes and dogs.

Miniature horses can be trained to:

help blind people.. Some smaller miniature horses are being used as guide animals in place of dogs because they are smart, friendly and live longer.

When breeding miniature horses, the following general rule is used:

mate a smaller male to a larger female.. It is always the intent of the breeder to make the breed smaller if possible. In addition, a smaller baby makes for a easier delivery. Newborn minis are between 16" and 23" in height, and weigh between 16 and 30 lbs.