BMS BALDENEY MINIATURE HORSE STABLE
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What is a miniature horse?
A miniature horse is a miniature version of its big brother, the riding horse.
Just as there are many different types of riding horses, so there are different types of miniature horses: a small Arab horse, a thoroughbred, a Quarter Horse, etc.
As with any other race the miniature horse is the result of years of selective breeding and combining different pony and small horse breeds.
Nevertheless, it is not a Shetland pony or any other type of pony. The miniature horse has another build and different proportions: the miniature horse is small in stature, it has a clear head with pointed ears, a well muscled, and most lean body and long, slender legs with fine joints. The miniature horse is athletic and elegant in appearance.
Not only the small stature and beauty, but also the character fascinates so many in the Miniature horse. They are very pleasant companions, have a gentle nature and are especially well suited as a friend to young and old.
They are very curious and are therefore suitable for a variety of disciplines. Usually they can pull light sulky, and some miniature horses have an exceptional jumping ability.
Children have much fun finishing an obstacle course with them, and adults like to present them in the show ring or just keep them as a good friend.
Because of their small stature they develop even in driving incredible power. The most exciting classes, however, are the jumping classes. The holder leads his miniature horse through an obstacle course, it must jump over hedges, wade through water, find through a rod labyrinth, etc. An obstacle course is an exciting and with pleasure seen sport for audience, horse and owner.
In the breeding class, the horses are judged on their physique, their presence, their quality, their paces and their type. This class is obviously the most important for the breeder. The results of these classes show the quality of their horses and give hints and suggestions in which direction the breeding programme should be improved.
Where from do they come?
Contrary to some theories miniature horses are not an old breed that has evolved over time. Some decades ago, breeders began to cross different races and bred such a scaled-down version of a riding horse. To reach the small stature of the miniature horses, not only Shetland ponies, but also Falabellas were used for breeding. For fineness Arenosas and Welshponies were used. To reach the right big horse's look, were finally crossed even Hackneys. The modern miniature horses are in part very similar to the Arabs.
For example, they have their clear head with widely spaced eyes, their flowing movements with the high-set tail. Which different races were exactly relevant to the breeding of miniature horses, one can not say with certainty today. However, we know that there are some exceptional miniature horses in the U.S. and that the first registered Miniature horse is found there. Also the first breeding book for miniature horses was founded in the USA.
The "American Miniature Horse Association" has closed the stud book several years ago and therefore only horses whose parents are already put down as American miniature horses can be registered.