What is a Miniature Horse? |  |
What is a Miniature Horse? | |
Miniature foals are very tiny and range between 16 and 22 inches. Most people can't resist picking a foal up and holding it in their arms.
Miniature horses come in every color and shade that the full size horse can. This goes for color of eyes and hooves as well. the hair should be lustrous and silky.
In the winter in northern climates, such as in Iowa, it is not uncommon to see miniatures with 3-7” long hair coats, depending on whether they are stabled or allowed access to open shed and open lots. At the on-set of the show season, they may be clipped, but should be protected with blankets and stabling until your weather turns to summer temperatures. They will naturally shed their long woolly coats by themselves in the spring of the year to look like the sleek, well-conditioned animals they are under that coat.
Handicapped children feel in control, are confident and unafraid around them, and are even able to exhibit competitively at shows. They are often able to drive them unassisted, so enjoy a feeling of mobility.
You may take your horse into shows yourself or hire a professional trainer, or do combinations of both. There is nothing more exhilarating than competing against the world's finest miniatures, should you make it to the Nationals!
The one thing most people comment on is the camaraderie between most of the people who compete against each other at miniature horse shows. It is not uncommon to see competitors help each other with shampooing, giving hints or advice, or cheering each other on, even when pitted against each other in a class. This part of the wonder of “Mini” people as a rule.
It is also fun to drive your cart through our little towns picnic with your family and also to participate in local parades. Parade watchers of every age enjoy seeing the gentle little equine prance along the route. Groups of other mini cart enthusiasts enjoy meeting and driving together through the summer months. Friendships grow fast and firm in the “mini circle”.
Miniatures can even give rides under saddle to children of 60 pounds or under, provided the mini is at least 3 years old. Regardless of why you choose a Miniature, it becomes a family affair.
The Miniature Horse is a scaled down version of a standard-size horse that cannot be taller than 34 inches in height for the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) or 38 inches in height for the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). When measuring a miniature, you take the measurement from the last hairs of the mane. An excellent test for a miniature horse breeder is to photograph your animal, without a size reference, such as a person, and see if you can tell whether or not it is a show quality, full-scale horse. If you cannot tell, you have accomplished your goal.
What are they good for?
Miniature horses make excellent pets as well as show animals for the competitive person, not to mention a lucrative investment. Their value is still on the increase, and good quality miniatures are in big demand. One reason for their rising popularity is the ease of handling and maintaining them. People who no longer have the strength or health to enjoy full size horses have little trouble with minis. Children who are afraid of 1200 pound horses throw their arms around their necks and kiss them on their noses.
Miniature shows - what do you do with them?
Shows have varied classes for the amateur as well as professional horseman. Classes range (according to the animals' sex, age, color and height) from halter, halter obstacle, jumper, hunger, liberty, pleasure driving, formal park driving, roadster driving, to country and obstacle driving. They also range according to their handlers by age, sex, amateur and open classes. A big hit for the family is watching a loved one in the costume class.
OK - so I don't want to show my Mini. What else can I do with it?
Miniature horses are useful in other ways besides making people feel good or competing for honor or monies in shows. Minis are very strong for their size and can pull large loads under harness. One of the pluses of living in Iowa is riding through our beautiful countryside in a cart pulled by one or more miniature horses. The scenery, fresh air and wildlife you observe is unbelievable, not to mention the attention you get from people you pass!
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