What are miniature horses called? The smallest horses in the world

The smallest horse in the world lives on a farm in St. Louis (USA, Missouri). A horse named Tambelina is a horse, not a pony, but in size it is even smaller than a pony. Her height at the withers is only 44.5 cm, that is, three times less than the average horse. Tambelina's weight is only 26 kilograms. This record was entered in the Guinness Book of Records in 2006 and so far not a single horse has been able to beat it.

The Gessling family, who lives in the vicinity of the American city of St. Louis (Missouri), has been breeding miniature horses for 15 years. Now about fifty horses, whose height does not exceed 85 cm, are nibbling grass and chewing oats on their farm. This is such a breed imported from Europe in the 1930s. But on May 1, 2001, at the Goose Creek farm, a horse was born not just small, but extra small. She weighed only 3.5 kg (instead of the usual 8–9 kg).

“The poor thing looked weak and sickly,” recalls Michael Gessling, head of the family business. “We didn’t expect her to survive.” However, the horse, which received the name Tambelina (Thumbelina), in the first year of life stretched to 44.5 cm at the withers. And it stopped growing.
Her parents have the usual dimensions - for their breed, of course. The growth of Thumbelina is apparently a consequence of a disease caused by malfunctions of the endocrine glands. In humans, this disease is called dwarfism. In general, Thumbelina was a little unlucky. Her legs remained disproportionately small, and now the horse even has to wear special orthopedic devices from time to time.

The Gesslings suspected from the very beginning that their filly was unique, but turned to the compilers of the Guinness Book of Records only after they were convinced that Thumbelina was no longer growing. Representatives of the editorial staff who visited the farm confirmed that the horse is 2.5 cm lower than the previous record holder.
“I’m even a little tall, but I’ll change the horse of another,” proudly said a friend of ours early childhood The Humpbacked Horse, which, as you know, was “only three inches tall” (1 inch - 4.44 cm). If measured in inches, then there are as many as 10 of them in Thumbelina. And she also does not give in to anyone.
Once, the largest horse in the world, named Radar, was brought to the farm from Texas. The growth of this heavy truck at the withers is 189 cm, it is 40 times heavier than Thumbelina. “He probably didn’t take her for a horse at first,” says Michael Gessling. But in vain: the baby immediately began to drive out the big man, not intending to share her favorite pasture with him.

Even as a foal, Thumbelina got used to sleeping in a kennel, and not in a stable with her relatives. She soon ousted her former owner from there and single-handedly occupied the living space. In the reclaimed booth, the horse lives and even travels. After registering a record in the Guinness Book, Thumbelina sometimes has to travel around - fame obliges. Not so long ago, she spent two days in New York, where she starred in television. In the booth, Thumbelina endures the road calmly, but does not like to travel in the back and strives to break free.

Thumbelina roams freely around the farm, she just crawls under the fences. She is not allowed to enter the house. Anyway, a horse. Most of the time she plays on the lawn with other horses and with spaniels - fortunately disputes over the kennel are a thing of the past.

Thumbelina, like other mares on the Gessling farm, is capable of producing offspring. But the owners decided not to tempt her fate, fearing complications. In addition, the Gesslings do not want the dwarfing gene to be passed on to future generations of their horses. They were offered to sell the baby more than once, but the owners of Goose Creek refused. “My parents would rather sell me than Thumbelina,” says 39-year-old Michael Gessling.
Alas, the age of the horse has been measured: Thumbelina is expected to live another 10-12 years, and usually horses live up to 30 years of age.

The good-natured disposition, graceful posture and endurance of miniature horses have gained popularity and love among their connoisseurs all over the planet. Horse breeds are considered dwarf if they reach a height at the withers of no more than 86 cm.

Dwarf rocks appeared a long time ago, their first images are found on ancient Celtic carvings dated to 600 AD. Mini-horses also lived in the menagerie of Louis XIV, a great lover of rare and unusual animals.

Dwarf breeds appeared in 600 AD

The beginning of breeding work on breeding "room" horses was laid by the British at the end of the 18th century, and from the middle of the 19th century, mini-horses were already hard at work in the mines and mines, carrying trolleys with breed and showing remarkable endurance.

Mini horses help in the treatment and rehabilitation of children

Nowadays, the mini-horse no longer does hard work, but is used as a pet and performs other very important duties - it helps in the treatment and rehabilitation of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism, and also serves as a guide for visually impaired people better than dogs distracted by extraneous stimuli.

Little horses - what's the difference from ponies?

The body structure of a mini-horse is proportional and similar to the exterior of a large horse, only reduced by 5-6 times. A muscular croup, strong withers, a graceful neck, an elastic body, long thin legs with small hooves, a moderately large head with intelligent expressive eyes, a lush mane and tail, various colors - this is the portrait of most representatives of dwarf breeds. Pony horses, which are distinguished by a disproportionately long body with short legs, are often mistakenly attributed to them.

External differences between a regular horse and a mini

The weight of small horses ranges from 20 to 65 kg, and the minimum height is only 40 cm. However, among them there are also real record holders who are in the Guinness Book of Records. The stallion Little Pamkin grew up to just 35.5 cm, weighed just over 9 kg and was considered the smallest horse on the planet.

Despite their small size, mini horses can withstand a weight of 30-35 kg

Mini-horses as a draft force are capable of pulling loads exceeding their own weight by 20 times, and can withstand a rider with a body weight of 30-35 kg, which may well be a 6-7-year-old child. The calm and kind disposition of animals allows young children from the age of 1 year to receive their first riding lessons, sitting in the saddle on a mini-horse.

Secrets of maintenance and care

Breeding dwarf breeds is no different from keeping and caring for large horses, except for the size of the animals. In a wooden stall, where one horse is usually placed, 2-3 babies are settled. Thanks to their good nature, they get along well not only with each other, but also with other pets.

Stall for mini horses

A small horse needs the same hygiene procedures as a big one. It must be cleaned daily, bathed regularly and the hooves cleaned from sticking various debris. In addition, small horses should be systematically examined by a veterinarian and vaccinated, as well as dewormed, taking into account their weight, avoiding overdoses.

Mini horse paddock

One of the main advantages of keeping mini-horses is the consumption of a small amount of feed. If a large horse is fed more than 3 kg of balanced feed per day, then it is enough for little ones to eat about 10 times less.

Dwarf horses, like breeds of other miniature animals, are capable of obesity, so the main rule when compiling a diet for them is not to overfeed.

In the mini-horse menu, as a rule, up to 20% of concentrated feed is included, the rest is roughage, among which fresh grass or hay predominates, depending on the time of year, as well as grass meal. Overfeeding with concentrates - grains, cereals, muesli is not worth it in order to avoid weight gain. As a dessert, mini-horses love apples and carrots, be sure to give them a salty lick and, of course, drink clean water.

Mini horses are very kind and get along well, even with small children.

There are no aggressive animals among miniature horses; children love them very much. They are ideal for keeping even in room conditions, and natural physiological needs are realized with the help of special diapers. However, these little ones are very fond of space, fast run jumping over obstacles, so walks on fresh air with the ability to stretch the muscles in no case should be ruled out for them.

Dwarf horse breeds

In breeding work on breeding breeds of miniature horses, not only indicators of endurance and draft strength were taken into account, but also the nature of the animal, its intelligence and poise of character. The most popular of them:

American miniature horse;

Falabella - a mini-horse from the Argentinean ranch

The breed of dwarf horses Falabella was bred more than a hundred years ago on a ranch in the vicinity of Buenos Aires. According to the legend, it was started by a miniature stallion that appeared in the fields from nowhere and was caught by the Falabello family at the nearest watering hole. The original herd, from which the selection of the breed began, consisted of small Spanish horses and Creollo.

Falabella miniature horse breed

The dwarf horse is extremely graceful: its height at the withers ranges from 50 to 75 cm, and its weight reaches 50-60 kg, but there are exceptions - individual specimens grew no more than 40 cm and weighed less than 30 kg.

Flabella foal

Falabella has the physique of a horse: a graceful neck, a large head, slender legs and small hooves. Horses have all kinds of coat colors - from black to fly and white. They have a couple of ribs less than animals of other breeds. The harmonious structure of the body is complemented by a chic mane and tail.

Flabella has a good-natured character

All Falabella have an extremely good-natured character, they are distinguished by intelligence and quick wit. Mini-horses of this breed live up to forty years. They are excellent partners in games with children, therefore it is for this purpose that they have become widespread throughout. Little riders up to 3-5 years old enthusiastically ride Falabella horses, and two horses in a harness can carry an adult of average weight.

American miniature horse - a descendant of a pony and a Falabella

The breed arose as a result of crossing small horses imported into North America in 1888 from Europe, Shetland ponies and the Argentine pygmy horse Falabella.

American miniature horse

Since 1978, it has been isolated independently from other breeds. The standard provides for the registration of animals no larger than 34 inches or 86 cm. Currently, over 110,000 representatives of the American miniature horse breed are kept in various farms in Canada and the United States. With their participation, more than 250 exhibition shows and shows are held annually, during which participants demonstrate the grace and strength of their pets.

Herd of American Miniature horses

Most representatives of the breed weigh no more than a large dog - from 50 to 70 kg. Their exterior is a reduced copy of a horse. Mini-horses are distinguished by a long neck, a medium-sized head with a convex forehead and intelligent eyes, a muscular body and slender legs. Their movements are light and fluid, yet strong and agile. The color of wool is allowed by the standard the most different.

American Miniature horses on display

American miniatures are famous for their soft, intelligent disposition, they are sociable and do not like to be alone, they are friends not only with their fellows, but also with other animals living in the estate. They lend themselves well to training and were previously widely used in circus performances by stray corpses, until they were on the verge of extinction. Like animals of other dwarf breeds, they get along well with children and are used in various rehabilitation programs for small patients with Down's disease, paralyzed, suffering from disorders nervous system after stressful situations.

The little horse quickly adapted to the Russian winters. By their beginning, it is covered with warm wool, which is cleaned and cut in the spring in compliance with all fashion trends.

Mini Appaloosa - spotted elegance

Dwarf horses of this breed were obtained as a result of popular selection of animals of the Appaloosa breed, focused on reducing growth. The Ne-Perse Indians of the Palouse River Valley of North America selected small dappled horses for breeding for many years, until the modern mini Appaloosa appeared with hallmark- spotting of the skin, expressed by the following types of suits:

Leopard;
black-backed;
Marble;
Snowflake;
Frost.

Currently, more than 900 thousand horses of this breed are registered, living in the farmsteads of Mexico and the United States. In addition to the easily recognizable spotting, Appaloosa mini-horses are characterized by other distinctive features: distinct stripes on the hooves, dark iris, height 86 cm with a correction of 15 cm both up and down. The exterior of the mini-appaloosa exactly repeats the physique of a riding horse with a beautiful flexible neck, small head, strong body, elastic limbs with strong hooves.

Mini Appaloosa horse

The small horse is very popular with German, American and Dutch horse breeders, in Russia it is rather an exotic rarity and is represented by only a few imported specimens. Its main application is participation in various exhibition events and shows.

Mini Appaloosa participate in various shows and exhibitions

Miniature Shetland ponies, horses obtained by selection aimed at improving the character of animals and reducing their growth, also belong to dwarf breeds.

Video: Mini horses

Experts say that in a couple of decades the number of small horses will exceed the number of ordinary horses by 10-15 times, despite their generally expensive price - from 10 to 20 thousand dollars in Russia and 40-60 thousand dollars in the USA.

How do you imagine a horse? Most likely, you see them as powerful and large creatures. I hasten to surprise you, in nature there are miniature horses, a medium breed dog is larger than they are. The smallest horses in the world often look like toys, but their physical strength surprises even experts in this field.

The smallest horse in the world, also known as Falabella, got its name in honor of the Falabella family, which owns the honor of breeding this breed. The breed, whose representatives argue among themselves for the title of the smallest horses in the world, was bred in Argentina on a small farm near Buenos Aires, where the Falabella family lived, after whom it was named. In the blood of this breed there are Andalusian, as well as Creole suit. When breeding, the smallest individuals from the herd were used.

Initially, the idea of creating a breed belonged to Patrick Newton, who lived in Argentina. Later, his son-in-law picked up this idea and began active selection, crossing Scottish ponies with horses that Newton created. As a result of selection, it was noticed that stallions give smaller and smaller offspring. Even when a toy stallion is crossed with a normal-sized mare, the foals are miniature. Pony horses are appearing more and more often and are gaining popularity around the world.

Why are the ponies so small?

There are various versions of how this little horse appeared. According to one of the legends, the herd ordinary horses fell into one of the Mexican canyons, where only cacti served as food for them. Thus, due to the lack of sufficient nutrition, genetic changes occurred that led to such a small stature of horses.

Andalusian ancestors of mini ponies

And a Creole horse

According to another version, which, however, does not seem plausible, the Japanese were involved in the creation of miniature horses, who transferred the art of bonsai to the process of breeding them. Adherents of this version say that the Japanese cut the horse's hooves in a special way and used special small horseshoes so that they would not grow. This is how dwarf horses appeared.

Fancy horses have become very popular around the world. The family of American President John F. Kennedy wanted to buy a few Falabellas for themselves, but the head of the family refused to sell them for a long time, and as a result, he was only persuaded to buy a mare and a gelding, since the Argentine tried to keep the secret of the breed with all his might and rarely agreed to sell horses from the litter. Unusual horses were their family treasure. Señor Falabella wanted the pony horse's secret to remain forever in their family.

Señor Falabella wanted to prevent these horses from being bred outside of his family.

But the Iron Curtain was not meant to last forever. Englishman John Fisher from Norfolk County decided to create a small zoo where unusual animals would be presented. It was the representative of Foggy Albion who was the first who managed to persuade Signor Falabella to donate a pair of miniature beauties to him. Mini ponies have become honorary residents of this zoo.

It was with the Fishers that the breed began to spread across continental Europe. The babies very quickly adapted to the European climate, but they are quite heat-loving animals and they have to be protected from bad weather with warm blankets, and infrared lamps are installed in the stable. In the cold season, they always stand in the stables.

To protect from the cold, Farabella must be dressed in a blanket.

The problem in keeping Falabella may be that due to their small size and calm nature, they are not always able to fight back offenders. Because of this, mini ponies often become a victim of aggression and can be injured and mutilated.

Feeding

The diet of dwarf horses looks about the same as large ones. The basis of nutrition is hay. In addition to it, you can add fresh fruits, vegetables and concentrates with vitamins and minerals to your food. Pregnant and lactating mares should receive enhanced nutrition.

It is a well-designed diet that will help protect the horse from colds and infectious diseases that dwarf ponies are prone to.

The appearance of the horse

The growth of horses at the withers varies from 40 to 75 centimeters. Weight can be from 20 to 60 kilograms. The smallest horse was only 30 centimeters tall and about 35 kilograms in weight. As for the suit, there are horses of various shades.

The smallest horse in the world has the right proportions and looks very elegant.

Dwarf horses have very thin legs and graceful hooves. Unusual horses have a fairly large head, but they have 1 or 2 fewer ribs than their larger counterparts. Dwarf horses move quite freely. Their tail and mane are very beautiful. Ponies are real centenarians, it is not uncommon for them to live up to 40 years.

Mini pony has a height of 40 to 75 cm

Weighs 20 to 60 kg

Looks like an ordinary horse, only in miniature

Has correct body proportions

Sometimes when you look at Falabella, it seems that you are looking at an ordinary horse, but through the back of the binoculars. The color of these beauties can be almost any: brown, bay and even roan.

Initially, when the breed was first created, it was not clear how it would be used, especially given its small size. These miniature creatures are completely unsuitable for riding, but due to their strength they often become assistants in teaching children to ride.

Thanks to the remarkable physical strength mini ponies are often used at home for peat hauling. There were cases when one pony took out more than 100 kilograms. Some used horses in the mines to haul coal.

Farabellas are very jumpy and easy to train.

Little ponies are unique in their own way. jumping abilities. If we compare the barriers they cope with and the height overcome by jumping horses, we can conclude that if the Falabellas were of normal height, they would easily jump over the leading jumping horses. There is a case when a foal of this breed, watching the jumps of the mother, also began to jump over obstacles, and if he could not cope with them, he went around and joined at the next jump.

Miniature horses to maintain good physical form regular exercise is very important. Its duration directly depends on the conditions in which the Argentines are kept. If horses are placed in a small space, they can be taken for a walk like dogs. In the event that the owner has a more spacious territory, you can let them move independently around the territory.

Horses must be walked if they live in a small area.

Watching horses walk is interesting in itself. Thanks to their good-natured disposition, they fall in love with everyone who watches them. Many owners prefer Falabella to other horses because they are easy to care for, they are very easy to train and give their owners tender friendship and many other positive emotions. Owners always think, and will continue to think of their pets as the most adorable creatures in the world.

Falabellas are still very expensive and quite rare animals. Worldwide, there are no more than a few hundred heads. They are mainly bred in Italy, Great Britain, Holland and Germany. The baby is often used as a decorative one, but there are owners who truly become attached to their pets.

Horses appeared on Earth long before the appearance of man. Among animals, they are in a special place, no other has been depicted so many times in sculpture and on canvas. In addition, the horses are very graceful and hardy, so they can often be found at various competitions. Today there are a huge number of breeds that differ in color, size and temper. In our article we will talk about mini-horses that are gaining popularity around the world.

Origin of small horses

The first images of dwarf rocks on ancient carvings of the Celts date back to 600 AD. It is known that mini-horses even lived in the personal menagerie of Louis 16, who was very fond of unusual animals.

Work to improve these animals began to be carried out in England at the end of the 18th century, and in the middle of the next they were already working in mines and mines, demonstrating great endurance.

Today, mini-horses are bred to be used as pets, to help in the rehabilitation of children with various diagnoses, to serve as guides for people who have vision problems.

Important! If artificial insemination of an ordinary mare is carried out with the sperm of a short stallion of the Falabella breed, then the offspring will be born of small stature. This is due to the dominance of the allele of the gene that is responsible for growth.

breeds

Despite the fact that a huge number of breeds of large horses are known, mini ones are not yet very common. Consider some of the most popular breeds.

Based on a small number of horses of a specific forelock color that lived with the Indians, it was introduced. However, she had characteristic features: spotty skin color and striped hooves.

Did you know? Despite their small size, mini horses are hardy. If ordinary horses can take on a burden that is 5 times heavier than them, then babies can move a weight 20 times their own.

Mini Appaloosa were obtained by selective breeding, which was aimed at minimizing the growth of Appaloosa horses. These babies are endowed with the following characteristics:

withers height up to 85 cm;
weight up to 60 kg;
small head;
well-developed physique, with good muscles;
tail and mane are long;
limbs are dry with strong hooves;
chubarai suit with patterns;

Today this breed is popular in America and different countries of Europe. In our country, it is considered exotic and is represented by single copies.

The breed is named after a farmer from Argentina who began breeding these horses in the 19th century.

The breed has the following characteristics:

height at the withers up to 86 cm;
weight up to 65 kg;
the torso is covered with thick hair;
mane and tail are long;
legs are thin;
hooves are small;
the suit is bay or black.

They are endowed with good nature and friendliness, besides they are smart enough. Falabellas are easy to train. They love to jump and easily overcome various obstacles.

Representatives of this breed appeared as a result of mixing mini-horses brought from Europe and small breeds from Argentina. This is the youngest breed of horses, while rapidly developing and gaining popularity around the world.

As a result, she received the following characteristics:

height at the withers up to 86 cm;
weight up to 70 kg;
the exterior is similar to Arabian stallions;
broad forehead;
the neck is long and light;
muscles developed;
limbs are dry;
the hoof is compact;
oil is varied.

Horses have no aggression at all, they do not like loneliness, moreover, they easily get along with any pets.

What is the difference from pony

Small horses, despite their short stature, have the same body structure as large ones. Unlike them, ponies are disproportionately built, they have a large head, short neck, long body on small legs. There are also differences between them in character, baby horses are kind and sociable, unlike them, ponies love loneliness.

Arrangement of the stable

Usually, in warm weather, animals are kept outside, and in cold weather, in special rooms. The stable is the main place for horses. In the correct construction, there should be a stall and a stall. In the first animals are fed and cleaned, and in the second they live. The walls in the stall must be made of durable materials. The height should be such that the animals cannot get out, but at the same time good ventilation and lighting. Doors can be hinged or sliding.
The width of the passage should be approximately 1.5 m. Floors are best made of cement, drainage channels are placed directly in the stalls. In the place where the horses sleep, lay a bed of straw, coniferous shavings or wood pellets. To prevent hard floors from pressing on your feet, it is recommended to put a rubber mat under the bedding.

If you already have a stable that previously contained horses, miniature horses can be settled in them. In a standard stall measuring 3x4 meters, in which one big horse, settle up to 4 kids. This will not be a problem, as they easily get along with each other.

Did you know? A unique feature of miniature horses is that each offspring grows smaller than their parents. In other animals, the opposite is true.

In summer, horses love to walk in the fresh air, nibbling grass, where they spend almost all the time, but in winter it is important to create warm conditions, since many breeds cannot stand the cold. It is important to carefully insulate the building and eliminate all drafts.
In addition, it is necessary to additionally insulate the platform so that the animal does not freeze during rest. In each stall, a nursery for food and drinking bowls for water are built. It is better that there is additional heating for the Falabella breed in the stable.

Care

First of all, horses need hair care. This is especially true during molting, at which time it will be necessary to carry out daily combing of wool. Cleaning is recommended as needed. It includes the treatment of skin and hair from dirt and dandruff with a special brush. Read more about how to properly keep a horse at home.

Horses are bathed only in summer, and it is important to ensure that this process does not cause discomfort to the animal. The owner must also take care of the condition of the hooves. If there are stones or other objects, they are removed using special tools.

Veterinary visits are done as needed. Horses must be vaccinated against influenza and tetanus. In addition, a specialist should be contacted if there are symptoms of colds (mini has a tendency).

Feeding

Horse diet different sizes no difference, the difference is only in the amount of feed. The rate of giving concentrates is consistent with weight class horses, if they work hard, it is possible to give an additional portion, the rest are recommended to give concentrates in the form of treats.

While the horse is eating, it is forbidden to disturb it. There is a rule among professionals that the animal should rest 1 hour before and after eating. Despite the love of these little horses for pastures, one should not forget about useful additives, as they are very sensitive to their lack.

The daily diet of an adult should include:

hay - 4.5 kg;
carrots and apples - 550 g;
oats - 500 g

It is important not to forget about the quality of the feed, it should not contain harmful impurities, fungal spores, etc. In the warm season, some of the hay is replaced with green grass. Withered grass is better not to give. It is necessary that horses always have a lick, which consists of minerals or salts, it can be purchased at a special store.

Clean water must always be available. Horses will refuse to drink if the water is stagnant or foul-smelling. In addition, it is forbidden to give animals cold water.

Important! Dwarf horses are prone to obesity. Therefore, it is very important that their diet is composed correctly.

Despite the fact that the horses listed above are mini, there are those that grow even smaller. Now many have wondered what this miniature animal is called.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, today this place is given to a miniature foal named Einstein. He was born in 2010 in New Hampshire on a farm that breeds mini horses. Einstein is a member of the Pinto breed. At birth, his height was only 36 cm, today he has grown to only 50 cm.

As you can see from all of the above, mini horses are very cute and friendly animals that can perform miscellaneous work. Proper care and maintenance will extend their life to the mark of 40 years. True, their cost is quite high, but the pleasure of communication is worth it.

Falabella is a breed of the smallest horses on the entire planet. These animals are unique in their own way, they stand out for their beautiful appearance and extraordinary character. miniature horses are of interest not only due to their short stature, but also due to the addition of the body, which is characteristic of riding horses. Despite the small scale, horses of this breed cannot be classified as ponies.

In contrast, they have a proportional length of limbs and body, and this is typical for riding horses. Due to the extraordinary appearance and charm, this breed mini horses are bred all over white light.

Around the theme of the emergence of small horses walks big number stories. As one of the versions indicates, a herd of simple horses fell into a trap. This trap was a landslide that blocked the entrance to a deep canyon. Trapped, horses began to survive on cacti, while not consuming the necessary soil minerals. This is the reason for the development of horses. After that, the next offspring, one after another, became smaller in size.

The result of this is a change in genetics that provokes the appearance of mini-horses. The little horse was first noticed by an Argentine farmer and breeder, Falabella. He freed the animal from the trap and brought it to his farm, where he later began to breed the new kind. The horses were named after the Falabella family of liberators.

According to another version, the idea of breeding this breed belonged to the Irishman Patrick Newtall, who also lived in Argentina. He had his own herd, in which the horses were not tall - 75 cm. The breeder took long years. At the end of the 19th century, Newtoll's business was continued by his son-in-law Juan Falabella. First, the man decided to cross Shetland ponies and horses bred by his predecessor.

To preserve the miniature dimensions of the animal, Falabella selected and introduced the shortest representatives into the breeding program. Subsequently, the breeder infused the blood of the English Thoroughbred and Creole. Initially, it was planned to bring out not a pony, but a horse of small dimensions. So the first representatives of the breed appeared on the Rancho Recreo de Roca located in Argentina as a result of the efforts of the Falabella family more than a century ago.

One of the legends says that they learned about the existence of small horses thanks to a small stallion found at a watering hole. Another story is more interesting. The Indians knew about the secrets of breeding undersized breeds. The leader of the tribe shared a secret with the farmer Falabella. But this is a less plausible version, since the Indians have always used tall and powerful horses. According to other legends that tell about the origin of mini-horses, Falabella's ancestor sent a herd of ordinary horses to Patagonia and forgot about him. And the soil there was barren and the wind was constantly blowing. Years later, his descendants learned about the loss of the herd and went in search of the disappeared animals. Arriving in Patagonia, they found only small horses.

Miniature horses can be 40-75 cm tall and weigh 20-60 kg. The color of the breed is the most diverse. These are animals with thin legs, small hooves. The head of the horse is large, the number of ribs is 1-2 less than that of representatives of other breeds. The beauty of the animal lies in its mane and tail, as well as its thin, shiny skin. Falabella move quite freely, vigorously. They are very kind and smart, always showing good nature to a person. The life span of the breed is over 40 years.

Falabellas are considered natural jumpers. They are able to overcome great obstacles and do it with great pleasure. Horses gallop over rough terrain, can run for a long time at high speeds. Representatives of the breed are excellent companions for their owners. They are easy to train, instantly fulfill all the wishes of a person.

Mini horses have great good nature and humility. These animals become the best friends for their owner, giving him the pleasure of communication. Falabella miniature horses are not used for riding. However, they are quite suitable for a light team, since they have great strength.

Often, the Falabella is used as a riding horse for children. The popularity of small animals is staggering. Many people buy them as pets.

The maintenance and care of representatives of this breed does not cause difficulties. They need the same care as regular horses. Only these horses are not accustomed to the cold. Therefore, on winter nights, they must be kept in a stable with covered blankets. Falabellas love the warmth that can be provided with infrared lamps by placing them in a stable. On winter days, animals are protected with day blankets. And this is despite the fact that mini-horses have an undercoat by winter, which additionally warms them.

The moment of feeding miniature horses has much in common with feeding large horses. The main thing is not to overfeed your pet. Horses can be allergic to too much oats. This is expressed by itching, eczema on the skin. An animal feeds on hay twice a day - in the morning and at night. The diet of miniature representatives of the breed is enriched with potatoes, beets, cabbage. Hay is used as roughage. Concentrates containing vitamins and minerals are added to it.

Feeding with carrots (1-2 pieces) and an apple is recommended per day. The liquid is especially useful for the pet. In the summer it is given at least three times a day. IN winter period Falabella eat snow. The horse should take liquid before feeding. The diet for each individual is selected individually. A mare nursing a foal needs more food and nutrients. And the menu itself should be varied.

Small horses can be brought to small plot areas for walking. If the area of the neighborhood is large, then the animal can independently frolic, jump, run for pleasure.

The period of pregnancy for mares of this breed lasts 13 months. Although in ordinary horses this period of time is 11 months. Falabella foals grow up in their first year of life. And by the age of three, their full development is observed. A foal is born with a height of 40 cm. This happens from mid-spring to early summer.

A newborn Falabella foal does not recognize its mother. He searches for her by smell. If a person was present during the foaling, then the born baby perceives him as his relative. A horse running past can arouse great interest in the baby and carry him away. Therefore, the mare always stands between her cub and someone else's horse. She is able to scare away any representative of the breed that approaches her cub. Often, adult foals start a game with a newborn.

So they show the first acquaintance with a new member of a friendly family. The mare takes care of her baby for one month from his birth. When the little foal is 7-10 months old, the mother stops feeding him. She drives away the baby with her hooves, not allowing her to get closer to the udder.

Representatives of the breed are valued expensively, as they belong to the category of rare animals. Their cost is the same as that of large blood horses. And this is despite the fact that falabellas are decorative animals, from which they mainly receive aesthetic pleasure. Horses are popular in many countries. Many heads of this breed are bred all over the world. Most of these representatives live in the United States.

The price of a pet is different, since the following factors are taken into account: age, health status, pedigree. If an animal is needed for divorce, then its cost will be higher than those that will serve for entertainment. adult horse this breed can be bought for 250,000 rubles and more. A foal can be valued at 50,000 rubles. When choosing a mare, the cost starts from 250,000 rubles and more. This takes into account subsequent offspring, which will cost even more.