Can you believe? Having a horse that is as small as a dog and that you can actually pick up and cuddle with? These half-pint horse breeds have intriguing histories and might just be the cutest thing ever. Here is a list of the smallest horse breeds in the world.
Falabella
The Andulusian are the progenitors of the Falabella since the Spaniards left their horses behind when they traveled to conquer new lands. Their senses grew for watching for danger and become more resilient to resist the harsh weather fluctuations due to inbreeding and biological changes they underwent over the years to adapt to their environment. The Falabella family spent years breeding these tough horses with various smaller breeds, including miniature Thoroughbreds and Welsh and Shetland ponies. The Falabella horses were raised to perfection by the Falabella family and first became recognized in Argentina before the 1940s. They are under 33 inches tall and have excellent dispositions. The Falabella horse is well-proportioned and capable of reproducing naturally, unlike other small breeds. Falabella horses are the ideal choice for a tiny child to ride or for pulling a cart.
The Miniature Horse
The first miniature horses were raised as pets by the upper classes in Europe. In coal mines, some were also employed. Today’s American miniature horses are the product of nearly 400 years of specialized and careful breeding. These miniature horses can be any color, from black to buckskin, and cannot exceed 34 inches tall at the withers. With their great temperament, they make fantastic companions and are even employed as therapy animals for people with impairments.
Shetland Ponies – A Cute Smallest Horse Breed
Although the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was established in 1890, the history of these ponies dates back further. It is unclear how the ponies initially appeared in their original habitat, the Shetland Islands, but it is known that they were tamed at a young age and grew to be of great significance to the local population. For these people, fish was the main source of sustenance, and the pony’s mane and tail hair was used to make fishing line and nets. A statement that describes a fine and the value of these tiny creatures is “Cut any other man’s horse’s tail or mane – under the pain of 10 pounds.”
Explore more A penguin was adopted by a herd of horses after it became separated from its flock.
Noma Pony
The Noma Pony is one of the few ponies with Japanese ancestry, and they are highly uncommon and small in number. They were pack horses for the people of Japan and stood at the height of 10hh. The Noma pony, in contrast to other breeds, is entirely pure, with no breeding impact from other horse breeds.
Yonaguni Horse
The Yonaguni horse, another horse of Japanese ancestry, stands at 11h and is a dwindling and critically endangered breed with only 200 remaining at the moment. They currently live on the islands in the southwest of Japan, and it is unclear how they got there. Many people think they arrived from Korea more than 2000 years ago.
You shouldn’t undervalue cute small horses who have trouble standing vertically. They are not only very hardy, but their breeding history is fascinating. Who wouldn’t want a horse that was small enough to cuddle with on the couch? They can be taught to be housebroken if they can be taught to drive!
