It is now the only registry in existence that deals exclusively with true Miniatures, 34 inches and under.
Miniatures horses are used for a variety of purposes today including livestock, pets, and companion animals for those who are disabled. Minis live to be between 20 to 30 years old, the same lifespan of their larger counterparts.
Island Miniatures - The Shetland Pony
The Shetland Pony
The Shetland pony is an example of a breed adapting to its environment.
kept thinking as our airplane landed in Sumburgh, Shetland ...
Although Miniatures are too small to be ridden except for children under 60 pounds, they are frequently trained to pull small, 1-2 person carts. Some owners also train them for conformation, hunter/jumper, halter obstacle, and costume competitions.
Division A Miniatures
Up to 34″ in height at the withers
Division B Miniatures
Between 34″ and 38″ in height at the withers ...
Ponies and Miniatures
Go to Ponies/Miniatures Publications
American Walking Pony
Australian Stud Saddle Pony ...
Only four square inches of cumulative white in the qualifying zone is required to register a horse with the PtHA (only three inches for ponies and two square inches for miniatures.) Animals with insufficient "qualifying color" to be accepted in the ...
However, not all early miniatures were pampered pets of kings and queens. Some were used to work in the English Midlands, Wales and Northern European coal mines as pit ponies.
The first mention of a small horse being imported into the United States was in 1888; and research shows little public awareness of true Miniatures until 1960.
The type of horse or pony which can enjoy driving is vast: miniatures, Welsh Ponies & Cobs, Hackney, Australian Ponies, Shetlands, Friesians, crossbreds; as long as they have the right temperament any breed can do well.
Dominant white occurs rarely in Tennessee Walking Horses, American Albinos, American Miniatures, Standardbreds, American Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Arabs.
The American Miniature Horse Association, founded in 1978, lists two classes of miniatures, class A being 34 inches tall or less, and class B ranging from 34 to 38 inches tall.
One of the smallest "miniatures" ever bred was a mare called Sugar Dumpling who belonged to Smith McCoy of Roderfield, West Virginia, USA. The horse was only 51 cm (20 in) high, and weighed just 13.5 kg (30 lb).
Due to their size and stature, miniatures are completely separated from the hunter-jumper world.
One of today's most popular miniatures is the Falabella. A miniature horse rather than pony type, the Falabella takes its name from the Falabella family who developed the horse at its ranch in Argentina.
Those who support the practice cite that horses are her animals, so the miniatures naturally stay in step with its master. Tiny horses are also less aggressive and less threatening than large dogs.
Of course when you register a foal and they are solid colored at birth, the papers state solid color, in the Miniatures, they don't make color permanent till 5 years of age, and many people don't bother to change color on their papers till then.
The association has a registry of more than 124,000 horses, ponies, and miniatures throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. The number of horses and members increases daily.
Modern breeders of American miniature horses sometimes use imported English, Dutch, Belgian, and German miniatures to improve the breed, while some selectively breed miniatures from larger horse breeds.
In the AMHA, Miniatures cannot exceed 34 inches at the withers (which the AMHA defines as located at the last hair of the mane).
The American Miniature Horses Association was formed in 1978 with the express purpose of keeping a record of American Miniatures and their breeders in the United States. This association has set the standards for all American Miniature Horses.
Pintos may be from a variety of breeds, ranging from Thoroughbred to Miniatures. There are four acknowledged types of conformation however: the Saddle type, Stock type, Hunter type and Racing type. Each type is shown in appropriate tack.
Over the last twenty five years interest has grown in ponies that will mature at under 34inches, an arbitrary height, set to separate 'miniatures' from the 'standard size' Shetland ponies which mature at up to 42inches.
The Pinto does not have consistent conformation since it is bred for color. Pintos may be from a variety of breeds, ranging from Thoroughbred to Miniatures.
 See also: Miniature, Ponies, Pony, Shetland, Thoroughbred
  
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