Mini Horse Facts (they are amazing little horses)

Mini Horse Facts Introduction

This post explains mini horse facts and what makes miniature horses such a special breed.

They say good things come in small packages and they would be right if they were talking about mini horses.

Miniature horses are a very special breed of horse. Over the last few centuries they have been bred with different types of ponies to get a very tiny mini horse.

In the past they were work horses for coal mining. Their small size allowed them to get in tight spaces and they were strong to pull loads in and out of the mine.

Today Miniature horses are kept as pets or companion animals. Some are trained as therapy animals. Mini’s have wonderful temperaments, they are friendly and easy to train.

Here are eight fun Mini horse facts that you might not know

Miniture Horses Small Packages, Big Strength:

Despite their small size, miniature horses are quite strong. They are able to pull 2 to 3 times their body weight. Minis can be hitched together in a team. A team of two can pull about 1000-1400 pounds on a wagon. They can pull carts and participate in driving events, showcasing their strength relative to their compact stature.

Photo Credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/chriswaits/4881584544

Therapeutic Companions:

Miniature horses make amazing therapy animals! Their gentle nature and manageable size make them well-suited for providing emotional support and companionship to people with special needs, seniors or those undergoing therapy. They lower stress and anxiety levels in patients. After spending time with mini horses the patients spirits are lifted. They feel emotionally and physically better.

Photo Credit https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/10/27/meet-munchkin-mayos-new-therapy-miniature-horse

Mini Horse Facts – They are inexpensive:

Mini horses are one of the most affordable breed of horse to own. I often see them for sale at auction marts or online markets for a few hundred dollars. Of course this could vary considerably depending where you live. Some high quality breeding stock can be substantially more costing 10, 000 plus dollars. Make sure to shop around for the type of mini you want and can afford, as they come in all price points.

Feeding Miniature Horses

Minis will eat less then a regular size horse so your feed bill will be lower. Also you shouldn’t give them grain as they generally don’t work hard enough to need it and they can get overweight easily. Miniature horses are hardy animals and rarely get sick. They do require hay or grass, a shelter, a pasture to exercise and regular hoof trimmings. Make sure to budget for their regular maintenance if you are thinking of buying a mini horse.

Long Lifespan:

Miniature horses often have a longer lifespan compared to larger horse breeds. With proper care, some can live well into their 30s, making them wonderful long-term companions. A Miniature Horse named Angel reportedly lived past the age of 50.

Mini’s are Measured in Inches:

Did you know that Miniature Horses are measured in inches? Horses are usually measures using hands. There are two different height standards for minis. The American Miniature Horse Registry separates the breed into two distinct divisions, with Division A for Miniature Horses up to 34 inches and Division B for Miniature Horses ranging from 34 inches to 38 inches. This means that some Miniature Horses can be a bit taller than others, although a second breed registry—the American Miniature Horse Association—only recognizes Miniature Horses standing 34 inches or less. Despite their small size, miniature horses are solid and can weigh between 150 and 350 pounds (68-159 kg).

Mini Horse Personality:

Miniature Horses are intelligent, curious, gentle, sensible, willing to cooperate and easy to train.

Thumbelina

Thumbelina Worlds Smallest Horse:

The smallest miniature horse is Thumbelina. When she was born she was only 6 inches tall. In 2002 she set the record for the smallest horse measuring in at 44.5cms (17.5 in) tall. She weighed 26 kilograms (57 lbs.),Her tiny size is also due to the fact that she was born dwarfism.

Photo Credit https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/23/sport/tallest-smallest-horse-spt/index.html

Mini Horses Come in Many Colors:

Miniature horses come in every equine color and coat pattern. Solid coats of bay, sorrel, buckskin, black, white, cremello, palomino, gray, and dun to name a few. They also come in pintos, and spotted coats like that of the Appaloosa. There is even a cross between a pinto and an Appaloosa called a “Pintaloosa” Their coats tend to be a bit thicker than those of full-size horses.

Phot credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/24418758@N05/2315430167/

Photo credit https://minihorseforsale.com/buy/pintaloosas-and-appaloosas/

Mini Horse Facts Conclusion

Mini horses are fascinating animals! I hope you learned some things about what makes this breed special and unique and why they are loved around the world. They may be small, but they have a big personality. They bring a lot of joy to their owners. My daughters mini horses have been taught to pull a sleigh and give us rides in the winter. I love watching them in a herd they don’t know that they are small. They play and boss around horses four times their size. If you are thinking you always wanted a horse this might be the perfect breed for you as they are inexpensive and have a great personality which makes them easy to train.

Do you have a mini horse? Share its name and what you love about your mini in the comments.

Check out my other posts how to measure a horse here and learn about the Mustang Horse-10 Special facts You Need to Know About them here.

Want to learn about what a cold blooded horse is and what breeds are cold blooded? Click the link here.