For those of you who are totally new to American Miniature Horses, you may appreciate a fact sheet related to this breed in general and answers to some of the frequently asked questions related to these horses

This breed of horse has had a rather obscure beginning although there are accounts of them for the last 300 years or so in Europe. Of course, all horses, whether they are Clydesdales, Arabians, Paints, Shetlands, or American Miniature Horses, are the same species of animal. As such, each of the different breeds of horses is the result of selective breeding for specific traits over many generations.

American Miniature Horses are selectively bred for their small size while other breeds such as Paint and Appaloosa are selectively bred for distinctive color patterns. The objective is to produce the smallest, correctly balanced, perfect horse in miniature.

Statistical Information
Since we exclusively raise the smaller type miniature horses, (most of our horses mature at under 30”) the statistical information that we will give below most appropriately fits with horses of that stature. Foals are born weighing anywhere from 12 to 20 pounds depending on their size. They can stand anywhere from 15 to 22 inches tall at birth. American Miniature Horses grow to approximately 90% of their adult height by the time that they are a year old. Depending on their size, adult miniature horses can weigh anywhere from 150 to 350 pounds. It takes nearly eleven months of pregnancy for an American Miniature Horse to develop prior to being born; the average length of time is about 326 days. This is just a little less that the gestation period for full- sized horses. Foals are normally weaned from nursing their mothers at 4 to 6 months of age. For showing purposes, all horse’s birthdates are considered to be January 1 of the year that they were born regardless of their actual date of birth that year. For showing purposes, miniatures are considered “Junior” horses through their 2 year old year. A “Senior” horse is 3 years of age or older. Senior horses can be trained and shown pulling a buggy. American Miniature Horses can easily pull a buggy and move even more that their own weight. Consideration must be given to the terrain and footing that the buggy will be riding on. We discourage all but very small children from riding American Miniature Horses. We consider anything more that 15% of the horse’s body weight a significant load to pack. American Miniature Horse are not generally considered as riding horses. Having had both full sized horses and miniatures, we feel that the personality of American Miniature Horse is substantially more easy-going than full sized horses.

General Health and Care
American Miniature Horses consume the same feeds as full sized horses, just significantly less. These are primarily pasture grass, hay, and grain. American Miniature Horses, depending on their age, size and whether they are also on pasture, will consume in the range of 2 to 5 pounds of good quality hay per day. Generally hooves of miniatures are trimmed at two month intervals. This may be necessary more often with younger horses until the age of six months.

Breeding and Foaling
It is not uncommon for mares to remain immature until four years or older. American Miniature Horses mature differently that full sized horses. Breeding is accomplished by either turning the stallion out into the pasture with a group of mares, known appropriately as “pasture breeding”, or by introducing the stallion to the mare when she is in heat and handlers controlling both the stallion and mare during the breeding process. This method is known as “hand breeding”. The normal foaling window is between 320 and 360 days after conception. The birthing process under normal circumstances occurs very rapidly. If there are no complications, the foal is usually born within 10 minutes from the time that the mare begins active “pushing” labor.

2. What are the ideal things to look for in an American Miniature Horse?