The 2024 World Show is already underway in the Will Rogers Coliseum, continuing from September 20 through September 28. The youth competitors are first up, showing their Mini Horses through Wednesday, September 25. Open and amateur classes will close out the final four days of the World Show.

Nearly 300 classes will be contested at the AMHA World Show, with competitors showing their Miniature Horses in a variety of classes and disciplines—among them halter, showmanship, hunters, jumpers, and various types of driving classes.

The AMHA World Show returns to Fort Worth each year, just 30 miles north of the association’s headquarters in Alvarado, Texas. Founded in 1978, the AMHA is the world’s leading Miniature Horse registry with more than 240,000 registered horses and upwards of 6,000 members across 38 countries and provinces.

The event is open to the public, with only a parking fee required. All AMHA World Show classes can be viewed in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum.

The post The American Miniature Horse Association World Championship Show is Underway appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“I always thought people who owned Minis were maniacs,” she laughs. “Until I got Tony. I take it all back. They are wonderful.”

Originally named Smoky, Parsons renamed him after her father’s friend who had recently passed away.

“He was a second father to me,” she shares. “My friend Mo Kelly added the ‘Smalls’ to it.”

Her friend also owns Tony’s daughter, Sugar Smalls. She was the product of an accidental breeding before Tony was gelded by the breeder, and has dwarfism.

A Knack for Tricks

Parsons, who also rides a Dales Pony named Bucky, decided to try clicker training when she got Tony.

“My husband is a dog trainer, so he does a lot of clicker training,” she says. “So I said, ‘Let’s give it a go with Tony and see how he does with it.’ And he just was amazing. He will do anything you ask if you’ve got a treat.” He gets mostly timothy pellets for treats, though she says his favorite rewards are Jolly Ranchers.

Parsons used George Bruce’s Click with Horses program and learned with Tony as they went. It was clear from the beginning that the 30-inch-tall gelding had a real knack for tricks.

They started with the basic tricks: target, fetch, spin around, stop and wait (which she says is the hardest for Tony because it’s so boring), and then moved on to more advanced tricks, including rear, lay down, Spanish walk, slow down and speed up, standing on a pedestal, and jumping.

But these are regular horse tricks that many horses are trained to do. What makes Tony Smalls so special are his more advanced tricks.

“He takes money off people,” says Parsons. “He takes laundry off the line and puts in a basket. We take him ‘shopping,’ where he pulls bags of Swedish Fish off [the shelf] and puts them in a kid’s shopping cart.” When inside the house, Tony often offers to bring you a cushion. “It was something he just did on this own,” she laughs.

Artistic Talent

Tony Smalls also plays the keyboard, but his real specialty is painting. In December 2019, Annie’s friend Danielle saw a video of another horse painting and told Parsons, “Tony Smalls needs to do this!”

While there are other horses that paint, Tony’s version of the trick is very complicated.

“Most horses that paint, the owner just hands them a brush and they move it around the canvas,” explains Parsons. “With Tony, we wanted him to do as much as possible. So, we give him several colors of paint in cups and each cup has a brush. He picks up the brush he wants, paints with it, spits it out and grabs another one in another color. My only job is to make sure there is no paint on the handle, because he doesn’t like the taste, and to pick up the brushes and put them back in the cups.”

Raising Money for a Cause

This incredible talent has helped Tony Smalls raise money for Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center on Martha’s Vineyard. The nonprofit is a PATH Intl. Accredited therapeutic riding center. Their mission is to offer an environment where horses and humans work together to transform lives. Misty Meadows offers many programs, including youth and adult horsemanship programs and therapeutic horsemanship for veterans and those with disabilities.

“They are brilliant—they do so much for the community,” says Parsons, who teaches mounted archery at the center.

During the worst of the Covid pandemic, Tony had a lot of time to paint, so Parsons decided to start selling his artwork to benefit Misty Meadows, as well as other charitable organizations.

“I have people contact me asking for paintings for auctions, and we always send one or two,” she says.

Tony is probably the only horse that has ever had his work in a real art gallery. There happens to be a gallery by Misty Meadows. The owner allowed Parsons to do a proper art show, filling the gallery with Tony’s pieces, which raised $5,000 for Misty Meadows.

“Tony Smalls has had paintings hung in the same gallery as Thomas Hart Benton, one of my favorite artists,” says Parsons. “It blows me away.”

Therapy Visits

When Tony Smalls isn’t learning tricks or raising money for charity, he is visiting hospitals and senior centers as a certified therapy horse.

“We had a donkey that we did therapy visits with, but we stopped because he just didn’t like it,” says Parsons. “When Tony came along, we decided to try again. Up until the pandemic we used to go every other week.”

Parsons is certified through Pet Partners, but their tests and program is geared toward dogs, so she looked for something that was for horses. She found the Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association. Through them, Tony did a series of assessments, including video calls during visits, so they could watch him work. They required a long checklist of everything he can do, which he passed.

Parsons says that Tony Smalls seems to understand and enjoy his job.

“He’s a funny one because when we’re out and about doing stuff, me and him, he’s very feisty and has got a lot of energy,” she says. “He can out-run all my horses, and he’s got a lot of character. But when I take him to the hospital, he’s perfect. He’ll stand quietly next to a wheelchair—he knows his job.”

They spent a lot of time clicker training Tony to stand quietly with a relaxed head. Parsons says even if someone accidentally pats him a bit too hard, he won’t react. Of course, she intervenes if someone is getting too rough, but Tony is patient with those he visits.

“I can personally attest to the healing power and joy that this compassionate duo brings to others,” writes one woman in a letter. “I have a rare autoimmune neurological disease and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer. When Annie learned that I would be on Cape Cod for a respite from chemotherapy, she contacted my daughter and arranged a surprise visit. The joy I received from their visit still brings tears to my eyes.”

That visit was a special one for Parsons, too, as they had to sneak Tony Smalls into a hotel room!

Having Patience

Tony also is involved in Parsons’ archery demonstrations, and is now learning ground driving to do skijoring, if he enjoys it.

If you’re ready to try your hand at tricks, Parsons has one piece of advice.

“Patience. Go slow. If you go too fast, your horse will get frustrated. So many times, horses are labeled as bad or naughty, but it’s because they are confused, usually because of lack of clear communication from the human, which can be frustrating for them and us. So be patient.”

You can follow Tony Smalls on Facebook or purchase his artwork through Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center website.

This article about Tony Smalls appeared in the July 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Magnificent Mini Horse Tony Smalls appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Charlie Brown, a 10-year-old 8.0hh mini horse gelding
Organization: ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center, El Reno, Okla.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Charlie Brown

A mini horse that stands a mere 32-inches high, adoptable horse of the week Charlie Brown is proof that great things come in small packages. His massive personality and stellar rockstar looks only add to his amazing charm. At 10 years old, he is full of spunk, but also ready to nuzzle at a moment’s notice. When he walks, he doesn’t just walk, he presents himself with a runway strut that oozes both energy and pride.

Charlie Brown is healthy but is on a daily dose of Prascend to treat Cushing’s. Through no fault of his own, his owner had to relinquish him when life circumstances changed. To say that Charlie Brown is the complete package is an understatement.

To the ASPCA, Charlie Brown is big in one additional way. He has the distinction of being the 500th horse they have helped since establishing themselves in Oklahoma only four short years ago. Contact the ASPCA today to ask how you could win this small, but mighty package!

Could this week’s adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about mini horse Charlie Brown, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Charlie Brown appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 10, hosts Susan Friedland and Raquel Lynn chat with Lauren Reischer, equestrian coach at Special Olympics New York. Next, they catch up with Victoria Nodiff-Netanel, the founder of Mini Therapy Horses. Finally, they take a closer look at Charlie Brown, August’s Adoptable Horse of the Month.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen to Barn Banter episode 10 now to meet Lauren and Victoria. Plus, hear about our ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse of the month, Charlie Brown, from the ASPCA Equine Transition & Adoption Center in Oklahoma.

Title Sponsor: Straight Arrow Family of Brands

Lauren Reischer

Lauren Reischer, 24, was born with cerebral palsy and started therapeutic riding at age 3 by the recommendation of her surgeon after a reconstructive hip surgery. After “graduating” from therapeutic riding, she took to riding recreationally and competitively with hunter/jumper barns on Long Island, Ny. In 2021, she graduated from Brown University, where she co-captained their NCAA Equestrian Team and earned her bachelor’s degree in education and public policy.

Following her graduation, Lauren worked as Director of Development at Special Olympics New York (SONY), where she raised money to help create the Summer Show Series. This program gives the equestrian athletes of SONY the opportunity compete alongside the larger hunter/jumper community at ‘A’ shows in their own signature equitation division. Although she now works in public relations at the American Thoracic Society, she still spearheads the SONY equestrian program and turned professional in September 2022 to continue growing this program and cultivating the next class of riders with disabilities.

◆ Lauren’s Instagram (@laurenreischer)
◆ Lauren’s Facebook

Victoria Nodiff-Netanel, founder of Mini Therapy Horses

From pretending to be a horse as a kid in Wisconsin and painting realistic horses after graduating from the California Institute of the Arts to competing in dressage at the Intermediate levels, Victoria Nodiff-Netanel has always known the magic of horses. After many years of competing in dressage, Victoria shifted gears when she acquired Quicksilver’s Black Pearl, a Miniature Horse. While “Pearl” was initially purchased as a pet, Victoria’s horsemanship skills helped the two of them form an incredible partnership. In 2008, armed with a passionate love for not only horses but also helping others, Victoria began conducting equine-assisted therapy visits at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center with her teammate, Pearl. That same year, Victoria officially established Mini Therapy Horses.

Since its start 15 years ago, Mini Therapy Horses has grown immensely. Now with a team of ten Miniature Horse mares, Victoria has expanded her program to many more local health centers such as Shriners Children’s Southern California, UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica as part of the UCLA People-Animal Connection, UCLA Stuart House, the L.A. Ronald McDonald House, and the L.A. Department of Children and Family Services. Additionally, Victoria and her Minis are members of the L.A. Mayor’s Crisis Response Team and the L.A. Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. They also visit many local schools, senior living facilities, rehabilitation centers, community events and more.

◆ Official Mini Therapy Horses website
◆ Mini Therapy Horses’ Instagram (@minitherapyhorses)
◆ Mini Therapy Horses’ Facebook (@minitherapyhorses)

Featured Adoptable Horse

On this episode of Barn Banter, Tom Persechino from the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center in Oklahoma tells us about this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse of the month, Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown is celebrated as the 500th horse the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center has positively impacted since its inception in 2019!

At 32 inches high, this Mini Horse comes with a massive personality and stellar rock-star looks. He is 10 years old and full of spunk, but also ready to nuzzle at a moment’s notice. Charlie Brown is healthy but is on a daily dose of Prascend to treat Cushing’s. Through no fault of his, his owner had to relinquish him when life circumstances changed.

Learn more about Charlie Brown here.

Title Sponsor of Barn Banter

We want to thank our Title Sponsor, the Straight Arrow Family of Brands, makers of Mane ‘n Tail, Cowboy Magic & Exhibitor’s, with over 100 years of grooming excellence. For more information about your favorite products, visit straightarrowinc.com and find Straight Arrow Products at a tack shop near you!

In addition to Barn Banter episode 10, you check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 10 from title sponsor Straight Arrow Products appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Scout, a 24-year-old 9.2hh Miniature Horse gelding
Organization: Humane Society of North Texas, Fort Worth, Texas

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Scout

Calling all miniature horse lovers! Scout is an absolutely precious little guy looking for a home experienced with minis. He came to HSNT as a stallion and has now been gelded, but will require a  family willing to teach him some new skills. He is currently participating in HSNT’s natural horsemanship training program and is making big strides. He will do best with an advanced handler.

Scout is an approximately 38″ tall miniature horse. He is up to date on shots, Coggins, dental care, and is microchipped. His age is an estimate.

This adorable (and adoptable!) miniature horse is located in Joshua, Texas, near Fort Worth. His adoption fee of $500 is subject to change as skills advance. Please fill out an interest in adoption form on HSNT’s website to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Could this week’s adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about miniature horse Scout, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Scout appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

It’s true that Miniature Horses need far less space than full-sized equines. This often makes them appealing to people without horse experience. But even those who have had “big horses” for years may not realize that Minis have some unique needs when compared to their full-sized cousins.

A Miniature Horse that is cared for well can live into his 30s, but to have a long, healthy life, he needs to be treated like the special creature he is.

“I’m always telling my clients with Miniatures that they’re not just ‘little big horses,’” says Rebecca Frankeny, VMD, a practicing veterinarian, owner of Juniata Mobile Veterinary Service in central Pennsylvania, and author of Miniature Horses: A Veterinary Guide for Owners and Breeders. “They are metabolically and physiologically different.”

One big difference is that Minis are more prone to dental issues and hyperlipemia (fatty liver disease). Both can cause serious, even fatal, problems, so anyone who owns a Mini—or is considering getting one—should become educated on proper care of the Miniature Horse.

Careful Breeding

The first Miniature Horse was imported into the United States somewhere around 1888. There are now an estimated 100,000 Minis in America, and they can be found in over 30 countries around the world.

It has taken a little more than 350 years to establish the Miniature Horse we know today. Breeders strive to create the smallest possible horse that is well-balanced and with harmonious proportions. Ideally, if someone looks at a picture of a Miniature and has no other point of reference, they should think they’re looking at a full-sized horse.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Selective inbreeding not only creates horses of diminutive size, but it can also predispose those animals to negative traits.

Dwarfism was a big problem in the breed, and still is to some degree, although not as much as in the past. Some signs of dwarfism include deformities of limbs, spine, head and jaw, resulting in undesirable conformation. In extreme cases, deformities may cause pain and prevent the animal from standing or walking. In mild cases, the dwarf Mini may lead a normal life.

Dwarfism can be avoided when buying from a reputable breeder. This is also a good reason to leave breeding to the experts who understand genetics.

Because they’re so cute, many people decide to breed their Minis without knowing about potential complications. “Minis are far more prone to having trouble with pregnancy and foaling,” notes Frankeny. “These are not horses you can just breed and throw out in the pasture to foal; they will get into trouble.”

Nutrition for the Miniature Horse

It’s rare to find a Mini on the thin side. These darling little equines have a tendency to become obese, which is one of their greatest health challenges. Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of care for the Miniature Horse.

“One of the most common mistakes people make with Minis is letting them get too fat,” says Frankeny. “Minis can basically get fat just breathing air, so it’s very important to have a dry lot [a paddock without grass] because a Mini with access to grass 24/7 will get fat, fat, fat. The Minis in my barn only spend an hour a day on pasture, but they look good.”

She finds that owners tend to feed too much, perhaps because they think their Minis weigh more than they actually do. Studies have found that using a standard weight tape does not provide accurate assessments with Miniature Horses. The following formula has been found to be accurate to within 5 percent of actual scale weight:

Estimated Body Weight (lbs) = (9.36 x girth inches) + (5 x body length in inches) – 348.5

Frankeny urges Mini owners to use the Henneke Body Condition Score (BCS) chart and adjust feed amounts to maintain their horse at a BCS of about 5.

Don’t assume your Mini is at the right weight just by looking at him.

“At least once a week, you need to actually get your hands on them. Because they are so fuzzy, an older Mini can get too thin, if you just go by looks,” says Frankeny. “You don’t want to see the ribs, but you should be able to easily feel them without pushing through inches of fat.”

Forage should always be the foundation of every horse’s diet, and Frankeny recommends good-quality grass hay. “In general, alfalfa is high in protein and is too rich with too many calories, so unless you have a performance Mini you are driving a lot, he doesn’t need that,” she notes.

The average 250-pound Mini kept as a pet (not working or showing) will only require approximately 1.5 percent of his body weight in forage each day. That amounts to just 3.5 pounds of hay; far less than what a typical flake of hay weighs, so you can see how it’s easy to overfeed. To slow down hay consumption, Frankeny recommends using one of the various slow feeders on the market.

Whether or not concentrate is needed depends on the quality of the forage you’re feeding. Feed companies manufacture low-calorie rations that can be especially helpful when feeding Minis.

Fresh, clean water and a salt block should be available at all times.

Dental Health

Miniature Horses have the same number and size of teeth found in large breeds, just squeezed into a much smaller head. This tends to result in overcrowding and other dental problems.

It’s not unusual for Minis to retain their baby teeth; this can result in difficulty chewing and/or drooling. Overbites (“parrot mouth”) and underbites (“monkey mouth”) are common. Either can cause abnormal wear of the teeth, which can lead to digestive problems.

Sinus problems can also be found in horses with dental trouble. Signs of sinus trouble may include nasal discharge, swelling under the eye, and tearing of the eye.

Frankeny recommends periodic checks of the young Mini’s mouth during the first year of life to address any abnormalities.

“A lot of the dental problems common to Minis develop as they’re growing, so if you can recognize it early on, you can do some things to improve it. You can’t change anything once they are adults.”

To maintain their dental care, Miniature Horses should have dental exams annually.

Digestive Woes

Minis tend to vacuum up every morsel when they eat, which can lead to sand colic if they pick up dirt and debris. When sand accumulates in the colon, it can cause inflammation, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, obstruction. Choose a feeder that keeps hay and feed out of the dirt. Placing feeders on top of large rubber mats and sweeping them off daily will help substantially.

Some owners treat for sand ingestion by administering a product containing psyllium. If a large amount of sand has accumulated in the colon, surgery may be necessary.

Minis also face a greater risk than other breeds of forming enteroliths, which are stones that form in the colon. Enteroliths are comprised of minerals that build up around a small foreign body, such as a piece of rock or other debris that is swallowed. It’s more often seen when horses are fed alfalfa, which contains higher amounts of phosphorus, protein and magnesium than other hay.

Small enteroliths can be passed, but if they become too large, they can cause obstruction and must be removed surgically. If your Mini has repeated episodes of colic, an enterolith may be to blame. Your vet will likely order abdominal X-rays, as these are highly accurate in diagnosing this specific problem.

Another potential problem is fecoliths, stone-like balls of hardened manure, long-stemmed forage, hair, and/or string. Like an enterolith, they can sometimes get large enough to cause obstruction in the colon.

Hyperlipemia Concerns

Always be observant of appetite. If stress, illness or anything else negatively affects a Mini’s appetite, this is a red flag and a call for close observation.

“In some cases, the first sign you see of a fatty-liver problem is that the Mini isn’t eating,” notes Frankeny. “There aren’t many finicky eaters in the Mini world, so when a Mini doesn’t eat, call your veterinarian. If a secondary problem with the liver is developing, prompt attention provides the best chance of reversing the problem.”

If your Mini doesn’t eat for more than 24 hours, you could be facing the health crisis of hyperlipemia, also known as fatty liver disease.

Minis are naturally at greater risk for this disorder in which high amounts of fat rapidly accumulate inside the liver cells, interfering with normal function. Unless quickly treated, this can lead to liver failure or rupture and death.

Seek immediate veterinary care if your Miniature Horse has declining appetite, lethargy or weakness. The disease soon progresses to incoordination, abdominal pain, tremors, diarrhea, jaundiced coloration, seizure, and head pressing. The animal will die if untreated, and if treatment is delayed, mortality rate can be as high as 70 percent.

When hyperlipemia is suspected, a veterinarian can confirm it with a blood test. If the test is positive, your vet will typically administer intravenous glucose, nutritional support and insulin therapy. Prognosis is good for full recovery if the problem is caught in the early stages.

Vaccinations & Deworming

The same diseases that affect big horses can strike Minis, so you’ll want to protect yours with a regular vaccination program to care for your Miniature Horse properly. Your vet will advise you as to what vaccines your horse will need, based on your region and your Mini’s exposure to other horses.

Just as with any breed of horse, your deworming protocol should include fecal testing to determine parasite load and which dewormers are most effective.

“It’s easy to overdose Minis with medications because of their low weight, so you must be careful when giving a dewormer or any prescription medication and follow your vet’s recommendations,” says Frankeny.

Exercise of the Miniature Horse

Frankeny recommends no less than a 60 by 60-foot enclosure, but adds that how much room a Mini needs depends on his activity level. She also suggests safe toys, such as balls and cones, for entertainment.

“Being active and moving around helps prevent colic. I encourage people to do things with their Minis for exercise and mental stimulation,” she notes. “There are obstacle classes, high-jumping and agility classes. I have one client who does clicker training with her Minis and teaches them tricks.”

One big plus with Minis is that they don’t tend to suffer from arthritis and musculoskeletal degeneration. They don’t face the same joint problems as big horses because they’re not carrying as much weight.

Hoof Care of the Miniature Horse

“Miniature Horses need the same level of care as a normal-sized horse, and this includes regular trimming,” says certified journeyman farrier Bryan Farcus, author of Miniature Horse Hoof Care.

Minis should have their feet trimmed on a schedule similar to that of larger horses. Farcus recommends every six to eight weeks, and in some cases more frequently, depending on the individual’s hoof condition and activity level.

“You want to have his feet trimmed according to his conformation so that his whole body is in balance,” says Farcus. “Ideally, he should stand balanced with the angles of his feet the same as the slope of his shoulders and pasterns.”

If your farrier notices a problem with your Mini’s hooves, Farcus advises consulting with your veterinarian, who may wish to order X-rays.

“Don’t shortchange your Mini by skimping on hoof trimming,” says Farcus. “In many cases, the farrier will notice some changes in the feet that can be an indication of something going on elsewhere in the body. Prevention is the best cure. A lot of metabolic issues eventually show up in the hooves; even though they don’t start there, they manifest in the feet. Minis aren’t ridden, so they tend to hide lameness better than a big horse. Certain breeds are at higher risk of laminitis, and Minis fall into this category.”

If your Mini is healthy overall, his hooves will usually be strong and healthy as well. The vast majority of Minis go barefoot. Shoes are used only in therapeutic cases; they must be custom-made.

Finding a good farrier is usually done through word of mouth, so ask for recommendations from your veterinarian, friends who own Minis, or a trainer who specializes in them. Expect to pay the same amount for trimming as you would for a full-size horse.

Your Mini should be taught to cooperate with the farrier.

“So many people think because Minis are small that the farrier can just ‘muscle through it,’ but that doesn’t make for a happy farrier or a happy Mini,” says Farcus. “You should teach your Mini to be ‘farrier friendly’ and stand politely and balanced on three legs just like you would your big horse. With training, they will gladly raise their feet higher than you’d think.”

Easy to Love

Because of their diminutive size, Miniature Horses are safest when kept separate from full-size horses. A big horse could severely injure a Mini if they start playing and kicking. If you have large and small breeds, for safety’s sake, make sure your Mini has his own paddock.

If you’re intimidated by the health concerns specific to Minis, take heart. Many of the potential problems in Miniature Horses mentioned here can be avoided by providing proper care and nutrition.

In fact, most people who fall under the spell of Miniatures don’t have just one. “Minis are like potato chips,” says Frankeny. “People who have them usually have several.”

Liked this article? Here’s more on Minis:
Miniature Horse Breed Profile
Bringing Home a Mini
Miniature Horse Desktop Wallpapers

This article about Miniature Horse Care originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post A Guide to Miniature Horse Care appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The Definition of Miniature Horse vs. Pony

Merriam-Webster defines a pony as “a small horse; especially one of any of several horse breeds of very small stocky animals noted for their gentleness and endurance.”

The same dictionary defines Miniature Horse as… nothing, actually. There is no listing for “miniature horse.” Commence the head-scratching…

Size and Appearance Matters: How does the horse industry differentiate them?

Ponies are distinguished from full-sized horses based on size and stature. Ponies are smaller—under 14.2 hands—and usually stockier than horses. Ponies also often have thicker coats, manes, and tails than horses. They are proportioned differently than a full-sized horse, with shorter legs, wider barrels, and a thicker neck. There are dozens of breeds characterized as ponies, from the popular Shetland and Hackney breeds to the lesser-known Fell and Exmoor.

In comparison to ponies, the difference with Miniature Horses is that they are currently bred to resemble a full-sized horse on a smaller scale. A much smaller scale. According to the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA), they must be under 34 inches up to the last hairs at the base of the mane at their withers (Minis are measured in inches rather than hands). The current miniature horse is bred to be more refined than the pony, with a long, flexible neck, straight legs, and a short back.

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) also registers Minis between 34” and 38”.

Historical Influence

The roles ponies and minis have played in history have contributed to their current size, appearance, and temperament.

The earliest appearance of Miniature Horses is recorded to have been in 1650 at the Palace of Versailles where King Louis XIV kept a zoo with unusual animals, including tiny horses. Miniature Horses were originally brought to the United States to work in coal mines, as their small size enabled them to access underground tunnels. They have also been bred in South America over time to develop the current petite and proportional ideal standard, epitomized by the tiny Falabella.

Ponies are stockier and hardier than most horses; they had to survive in harsh climates and on rugged terrain. They first appeared as domesticated stock in the United States the 1800’s to be used in coal mines and for agricultural work and driving. However, they have been in the wild in the U.S. since at least the 1600’s on Assateague Island, off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia.

What Do You Do With a Miniature Horse or Pony?

Both little equines have their fans.

According to the AMHA, “today’s American Miniature Horse is among the fastest growing and most beloved of equine breeds.” Miniature horses shouldn’t be ridden because of their small stature, but they are popular for driving and in-hand classes. The AMHA says, “Miniature Horse owners come from all walks of life. Some Miniature Horses are owned as companions by families with small children or by retired adults with a passion to enjoy life, while others are purchased solely as investments.” Minis have also become increasingly popular therapy animals.

Ponies come in a wide variety of breeds, and they are especially popular children’s mounts, competing in just about any type of equestrian sport, whether it be jumping, eventing, driving, and more. In some communities, ponies are still used for farm work because their strength enables them to pull heavy equipment.

Miniature Horses vs. Ponies Key Takeaway

Though there may always be some wiggle room when it comes to classifying and defining horses, ponies, and Minis, hopefully, this clears things up a bit for our petite equine friends.

Now let us know in the comments: where does your preference lie, with Miniature Horses or with ponies?

Learn More:
◆ A Guide to Miniature Horse Care
◆ 5 Fun Facts About Miniature Horses

This article about the difference between miniature horses vs. ponies is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post What’s the Difference Between Miniature Horses and Ponies? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Ozzy, 6-year-old pinto miniature horse gelding
Organization: West Virginia Horse Network, Elkview, West Virginia

Get to Know Ozzy

Ozzy is looking for a home that has the skills and time to work with him consistently to help him to be his best. He is a cute little guy who will bring a smile to your face every single day. Ozzy was diagnosed with a patellar luxation on his left hind leg that is intermittent. His veterinarian says it will improve over time with regular turnout but won’t resolve entirely. We encourage you to seek more information about this condition and discuss it with your vet prior to adopting.

Ozzy has done a great job with teen/pre-teen volunteers but would likely not be ideal for extremely young or inexperienced children.

Could Ozzy be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Ozzy, the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Ozzy appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

While we may be familiar with high-level racing or show horses hopping on airplanes as a means of transport, when we think of working service animals flying, most people only picture canines. In 2019, however, the United States Department of Transportation allowed Miniature Horses that were certified equine service animals to travel by air with their companions.

Abrea Hensley was one of the first travelers to bring her American Miniature Horse on board an airplane in the passenger area. LA Blues A Little Flirtatious, aka “Flirty,” is 27″ tall and weighs 136 pounds. The pair flew from Omaha, Neb., to Chicago, Ill., which is about an hour-and-a-half flight. They went to visit some family that Hensley had been unable to see in several years.

“Taking her to the airport and on a plane was quite an experience,” says Hensley. “Everyone at the airport was very interested in the fact that a tiny horse was walking around. We got a lot of questions from other travelers.”

Why Equine Service Animals?

Hensley chose a Miniature Horse as an equine service animal because she is allergic to dogs. She takes Flirty everywhere she goes. The mare is trained to provide mobility assistance, medical alerts and responses.

“Before Flirty, I couldn’t accomplish simple tasks, like grocery shopping, because of my disabilities,” she says. “Now, with Flirty’s help, I can live an independent and fulfilled life. I can go grocery shopping, or to the movies, or see my friends.”

Hensley and other equine service Miniature Horse owners who travel with their horses created a media buzz, and along with it, some negative comments. Jessica Wellman, an equine service Miniature Horse handler and service animal trainer from Florida, was invited to appear on The Dr. Oz Show. She and her horse, Honey, flew to New York to address the criticisms. Wellman suffers from a degenerative autoimmune disease and needs Honey’s support when she walks.

“They are so unusual that people aren’t ready, and people aren’t educated unless they need a service animal,” Wellman said on the show. “People often get service animals confused with emotional support animals.”

Equine service animals, like their canine counterparts, must meet strict training and certification requirements. Flirty, Honey and their peers are potty trained, taught to retrieve dropped items, and more. Wellman trains both species for service work and says horses have advantages over dogs.

“It takes a few years to fully train a service animal,” she says. “Since dogs have shorter lifespans, they can’t work as long as horses. Dogs also have a more flexible spine, whereas horses are built to better support someone leaning on them for mobility. If I’m in a wheelchair, she can pull me up ramps that are too steep.”

Preparing an Equine Service Animal for Takeoff

Some travelers dread the takeoff and landing. Others who suffer from motion sickness medicate with Dramamine. Flirty took the ride in stride. Being on the plane was fairly easy, according to Hensley. She traveled with a reporter, and they were seated in the bulkhead row of the airplane, where Flirty filled the foot space. The area was about the size of the trailer Flirty travels in, so she was comfortable.

“I fed her treats during takeoff and landing to help with any pressure in her ears,” says Hensley. “Once we reached cruising altitude, she spent most of the flight napping.”

Like any horse that travels, equine service Miniature Horses require an official health certificate. During that visit, Hensley also discussed what she could do to minimize any colic risks. They decided to feed Flirty hay up until the time that they left for the airport. Then she would also receive treats during their time at the airport and the flight itself to keep food in her stomach and minimize any digestive risks.

“We also did specialized training to prepare her for the flight; we rode a city bus to simulate turbulence,” says Hensley. “We spent time driving—she rides in my car—with quick acceleration and deceleration to simulate takeoff and landing.”

Working Gear for an Equine Service Animal

Equine service animals must follow the same American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines as service dogs. That means they must always be under their handler’s control, harnessed or leashed. The equine service animals are outfitted in harnesses, much like a dog harness, and wear the vest that distinguishes all service animals.

Wellman follows a specific hoof trimming protocol that gives minis better barefoot traction on indoor surfaces, but equine service animals are often seen wearing hoof boots. A sheet or fitted bodysuit can be used to keep any loose hairs or allergens from bothering other passengers.

It’s easy to imagine how gear can be easily modified to accommodate Minis. And equestrians know how smart horses are. With patience and proper training, they can be taught nearly anything—even potty training. Yes, horses can be taught to pee or poop on command and ask to go out.

“Flirty is potty trained,” says Hensley. “The ADA requires that all equine service animals be potty trained. I had her go before we left home, then we also made a stop at the service animal relief station at the airport, just to be sure. She only had about an hour and 45 minutes where she couldn’t go to the bathroom while we were on the plane, which is well within her abilities.”

Wellman explains that it is actually fairly easy to housebreak a miniature horse. The bigger challenge is teaching them not to relieve themselves in the car.

“That’s a little harder, because what’s the first thing they do when they get in the trailer? Go to the bathroom!”

Equine Service Animals Grounded From Flying

After several handlers made the news for traveling with their equine service animal, they learned the Department of Transportation issued a new ruling. This time they more narrowly define a service animal as a “dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.” Ultimately, it allows airlines to ban any non-dog service animal.

American Airlines announced that beginning Feb. 1, 2021, “animals that previously traveled as emotional support animals (ESAs) and no longer qualify as service animals may travel as carry-on pets or as cargo pets, as long as they meet the requirements.”

In part, some of the changes have been fueled by the blurred line between service animals and ESAs. Some travelers have pushed the limits calling rabbits, parrots, lizards, hedgehogs, and other animals ESAs by using forged documents. That has made it more difficult for handlers who follow the rules.

Follow the service minis profiled here on their Facebook pages for more information:

• Service Horse Honey
• Flirty the Mini Service Horse

This article about equine service animals appeared in the June 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When my daughter was 2 years old, she was playing at a friend’s farm that was home to a pony ride business. I’d started the search for her own pony, because I wanted something she could lead around the farm, brush and hang out with on her own without me worrying she’d be pushed around. We eventually met a Miniature Horse named Gru and fell in love with his personality, and a few days later, we would begin our journey of owning a Miniature Horse when he was led onto our farm and into our lives. Who knew such a little guy would create some big questions?

The Mini List

We learned some valuable lessons adjusting to the downsized life of owning a Miniature Horse, including some things I never would have imagined until I experienced it myself.

Stall Size: Our barn’s setup includes five 12-foot by 24-foot stalls. Three of them can be divided in half, with doors going to the outside and to the inside aisle. They’re perfect for cold Indiana winter days and nights when we need to keep the horses in and they need room to move around. But the stall we had available for Gru was one that is not able to be cut in half, thus giving him his own kingdom of a 12×24 stall.

Bucket Height: Within the first week, we had to adjust the height of the water bucket, and we knew immediately Gru wouldn’t be able to use the corner feeder, thus the need for a rubber feed tub on the ground.

Bucket Size: Which brings us to the size of the water bucket and feed tub. We use standard 5-gallon water buckets, and I’ve learned that Gru doesn’t drink the whole bucket, even on the hottest of days, yet we want to keep the water fresh. His rubber feed tub is rather big for the amount of grain he gets (that revelation later), but it also serves as the perfect spot for his mineral block.

Stall Fork Tines: You don’t think about how having a Miniature Horse changes the way you clean stalls … until you clean his stall with a standard fork. The size of the droppings from a Mini can make cleaning more difficult if you have a standard fork, due to the tines being too far apart. When we changed to a different type of stall fork with tines closer together, it made a huge difference in less droppings! (It also helps that my daughter has a smaller stall fork perfect for her size, and perfect for Gru’s turds.)

Horse Clothing: Miniature Horse/small pony-wear is tough to come by in our area, so a lot of times I’m ordering Gru’s fly mask online and hope that I don’t have to go through the return process. Finding the right-sized halter generally requires some rigging to shrink up around the crown and the jaw. And don’t get me started on finding a saddle that fits across his non-existent withers and wide barrel … hence why Aubrey has ridden him more bareback than in a saddle.

Dinner Portions: When it comes to feeding Gru, it’s crazy to me that he eats less grain at night than my dogs eat in kibble. We feed Gru half a cup of pellets when he comes in for the night, plus half a flake of hay. He gets the same type of hay our donkeys do (the high-quality alfalfa mix is saved for the “big girls”), and he splits a flake with one donkey.

Also, we’ve instituted use of a grazing muzzle for the first time in our family’s history of owning horses for fear of him gorging himself. However, we never know how well it works, because it’s a constant battle to figure out how to keep the muzzle on him throughout the day. Who knew a Mini could be such a Houdini?

Health Care: It’s important to note that not all farriers and veterinarians will work on Miniature Horses. We had to find a separate farrier that was willing to work with Gru and our three donkeys, and our veterinarian has to be quite limber to squat down while floating his teeth. Luckily, Gru has been pretty healthy and doesn’t need his feet trimmed as often as our full-sized horses, but it was still a difficult issue when we first owned him.

Big Hearts in Small Packages

The list can go on and on about how much we’ve had to change our mindset for downsizing, but one thing is for sure about Gru: While his stature is small, his heart is huge. He’s the happiest when he hears my daughter’s voice, gives hugs back when she wraps her arms around his (rather round) belly or neck, and is happy to just march around the barnyard with her on the other end of the lead shank.

While Aubrey has probably already outgrown his 34-inch body, he has a forever home and a place in Aubrey’s heart for a lifetime.

Learn More: A Guide to Miniature Horse Care
Learn More: Miniature Horse History
Learn More: Bringing Home a Miniature Horse
Learn More: 5 Fun Facts About Miniature Horses

This article about owning a Miniature Horse appeared in the September 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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