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| Wallace Miniature Horses - 440 Upper Brookside Rd. - Truro, Nova Scotia | ||
SOME HISTORY  The history of the miniature horse is varied and traces to several sources. Miniature horses were used in England and Northern Europe as far vack as the 1700's to pull ore carts in the coal mines. They were also bred by European royalty as pets for the royal children.In the 19th century, some miniatures were brought to the U.S. to be used in the mines in Ohio and West Virginia. Many early breeders imported horses from Europe, especially England and Holland, which helped to create the miniature breed, as it is known today. Some miniatures trace back to the Falabella Ranches in Buenos Aries, Argentina, South America, which was founded in the mid 1840's. This ranch was dedicated to breeding down miniatures from larger horses.  It wasn't until 1971 that the first registry was created to sanction and register the world's smallest equine breed - the American Miniature Horse. After a request by a group of miniature breeders that the American Shetland Pony Club (est. 1888) open a registry division for miniatures, the ASPC voted to establish such a registry. This registry was called the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR).On January 1, 1972, the AMHR officially opened and began accepting registration of especially small equines, not exceeding 34" in height at maturity. The horses were to be perfect in form and normal in function with head, body and legs presenting a well proportioned, pleasing appearance.  The open period of registration of foundation stock ran for 2 years until December 31, 1973. After this period only horses produced by crosses of registered stock were allowed to be registered. Some of the 'unknown' sires and dams listed on many of the foundation miniatures may have come from the Shetland breed, as many of the early Shetlands were smaller than their modern day cousins. In fact, in the first ASPC stud book, the average Shetland's height was only a little over 40", and a few of the early registered shetlands only measured between 28" and 34" tall. Roughly 1/4 of them measured under 38" tall.Later on in the 70's as other people imported stock or tried to register unregistered stock, but found they couldn't, new registries began to start up. Around 1977, the International Miniature Horse Registry opened on the west coast and in 1978, the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) opened in Texas. Several others followed, but eventually most of them folded or were absorbed by the AMHA.  The AMHA only recognizes miniature horses up to 34" tall, however, in 1986, the AMHR voted in a "B" registry, which allowed a 34" to 38" division of miniatures. This "B" division came about by popular demand of the members. Their reasons for wanting the "B" division were varied, but included such things as, the gene pool was too small and new blood was needed, some breeders were getting dwarfs, some mares were having trouble foaling due to their small size, some breeders were getting excellent animals over 34:, and some wanted to start miniature horse racing with the larger minis and mechanical riders.Both the AMHR and the AMHA have sanctioned shows, including National Shows, where today's miniatures can be shown in halter and showmanship classes, or compete in performance classes, such as driving, jumping an obstacle. Miniature horses are easy to handle and fun to show. | ||
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