The majority of miniature horse breeds are created by man. Yes, domestic horses & ponies were created by man, but these tiny little horses were then further genetically steered by man. However, there are a few rare breeds that became smaller naturally.
What Is A Miniature Breed?
Man made miniature breeds come from several different countries including the US and the Netherlands. While the natural breeds started as larger animals and grew smaller due to their isolated geographic climates. The list of mini breeds includes American Miniatures, Caspian, Falabella, Netherlands Appy Pony and Dutch Miniature horse.
Miniatures are small in size, however (unlike stout ponies) they retain the physical characteristics & body shape of horses.
The Small Horse
With the exception of the naturally small breeds these tiny breeds are essentially bred as pets. They are great for small kids and can be used for driving, however their overwhelming use is making people smile.
Yes they are small and cute, but they are still horses and should be respected as such.
Modern Miniature Breeds
As mentioned above, these are animals that are probably not going to earn their keep. They are generally found in developed nations and bred as companion animals. However, it should be noted how important the natural breeds are genetically.
Horse Types
As if horse breeds weren’t confusing enough, there are a variety of types as well. Typing is a much older form of classification and stems mainly from the geography & climate of the animal’s native land. Be sure to check out the list of all the different horse types and keep checking back for more in-depth info about each one.
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