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Miniature
Horse Information Page
The
American Miniature Horse Standard of Perfection
General
Impression: A small, sound, well-balanced horse, possessing the correct
conformation characteristics required of most breeds - refinement and femininity
in the mare, boldness and masculinity in the stallion. The general impression
should be one of symmetry, strength, agility and alertness. Since the breed
objective is the smallest possibly perfect horse, preference in judging shall be
given the smaller horse, other characteristics being approximately equal.
Size: Must measure not more than 34 inches at the base of the last hairs
of the mane.
Head: In proportion to length of neck and body. Broad forehead with large
prominent eyes, set wide apart. Comparatively short distance between eyes and
muzzle. Profile straight or slightly concave below the eyes. Large nostrils.
Clean, refined muzzle. Even bite.
Ears: Medium in size. Pointed. Carried alertly, with tips curving
slightly inward.
Throat-Latch: Clean and well defined, allowing ample flexion at the poll.
Neck: Flexible, lengthy, in proportion to body and type and blending
smoothly into the withers.
Shoulder: Long, sloping, and well-angulated, allowing a free swinging
stride and alert head/neck carriage. Well muscled forearm.
Body: Well muscled, with ample bone and substance. Balanced and well
proportioned. Short back and loins in relation to length of underline. Smooth
and generally level top line. Deep girth and flank. Trim barrel.
Hindquarters: Long, well-muscled hip, thigh and gaskin. Highest point of
croup to be same height as withers. Tail set neither excessively high or low,
but smoothly round off rump.
Legs: Set straight and parallel when viewed from front or back. Straight,
true and squarely set, when viewed from side with hooves pointing directly
ahead. Pasterns sloping about 45 degrees and blending smoothly, with no change
of angle, from the hooves to the ground. Hooves to be round and compact, trimmed
as short as practicable for an unshod horse. Smooth, fluid gait in motion.
Color: Any color or marking pattern, and any eye color, is equally
acceptable. The hair should be lustrous and silky.
Height
Requirements
No
horse shall exceed 34 inches in height.
Weanlings must not exceed 30 inches in height.
Yearlings must not exceed 32 inches in height.
Two-year-olds must not exceed 33 inches in height.
Where
to go for More Information
American Miniature Horse Association
5601 South IH 35W
Alvarado, Texas 76009
(817) 783-5600
Li'l
Beginnings
Western Canadian
Miniature Horse Club
Frequently
Asked Questions
What
can you do with a miniature horse?
This is an easy answer: anything! Miniature horses make excellent driving
horses, companions for the elderly, first horses for children, and are just
generally nice to have around. In Alberta, Canada, people even race chuckwagons with
miniature horses! Small children (40 lbs. or less) can ride miniature horses,
and because of their small size, minis are perfect for children. They also make
excellent lawn mowers!
Can
you keep a miniature horse in a town or city?
You will have to check with your town or city's laws. In Calgary, Alberta, it is
perfectly legal to have a miniature horse within city limits, and more than a
few people have one in their backyards!
What
kind of care does a miniature horse need?
A miniature horse requires the same kind of care as a full-size horse - daily
feeding (hay and sometimes grain), access to fresh, ice-free water, salt and minerals,
companionship, attention, grooming, exercise, deworming, vaccinations, and hoof
care, among other things.
How
much does a mini cost?
A miniature horse can cost anywhere from $500 to millions of dollars - it just
depends what you are looking for. Pet quality minis can often be obtained for
only a few hundred dollars, and a nice, entry-level show gelding can start at
around $1500.
Can
a miniature be kept with full-sized horses?
That depends on the individual horses involved. We didn't keep ours
together, because we were afraid that the big horses will forget the minis are
there and accidentally hurt them. Other people have successfully kept them
together, but we don't recommend it.
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