HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MINIATURE HORSES:

Because of their gentle, affectionate nature and small size, Miniature horses are excellent companions. It is not uncommon to have a little nose nuzzling you as you work in the barn or pasture. Or to greet you at the gate as you come to take care of them.

A small child may be afraid of a standard size horse but may be eager to embrace and hug a miniature or her foal. The foals are particularly loveable due to their small size when born. They range from 12 to 18 pounds when born and from 14 to 20 inches tall. Most miniature reach 90% of their height by the time of 1 year old.

People with physical challenges have found the Miniature to be an excellent substitute for the full sized horse they cannot physically handle.

Older people, no longer as mobile as they might like to be and who cannot continue to manage a full-sized horse, can enjoy a Miniature horse in a variety of ways. All may be competitive in the show ring. They are great driving horses or they can just be your "Best Friend".

Within the American Miniature horse breed, every conceivable color coat and pattern are evident. There are two classes in the Miniature horse registry. "A "class and "B" class. "A" class cannot be taller than 34 inches when measured at the last hair of the mane. And the "B" class can not be taller than 38 inches. Miniature horses of today are stylish, well proportioned and the product of nearly 400 years of selective breeding.

Caring for these small horses is easy and can be performed safely by a person of any age. Feeding and daily care are tasks easily learned and handled by a child. Caring for a Miniature horse encourages discipline, responsibility and respect. Working with a Miniature horse builds confidence and self esteem-- important qualities that carry over into adult life. One of the most rewarding aspects of owning a Miniature horse is the togetherness and sharing that occurs within ones self and family.

In the show ring, one learns competitiveness and sportsmanship. The thrill and satisfaction that comes from winning that first blue ribbon makes it all worthwhile. To win is exciting, but to lose and congratulate the winner builds character.

The cost of maintaining a Miniature horse is about one-tenth that of maintaining the large horse. The feeding program is basically the same but the clean-up detail is MUCH MUCH SMALLER.

One of the newest programs with the Miniature horse is The Guide Horse Foundation. In early experiments, Guide Horses have shown great promise as a mobile option, and people who have tried Guide Horses report that they have perform exceptionally well at keeping their person safe. Guide horses are not for everyone, but there is a strong demand for Guide Horses among blind horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs, and those that want a guide animal with a long lifespan.