Miniature horses are found in many countries, especially in Europe and America. The designation of miniature horses is determined by the height of the animal. Depending on the specific breed's registry involved, it is usually less than 34-38 inches (86-97 cm) measured on the last hair of the mane, which is found in the withers. While miniature horses correspond to high-definition definitions to be considered very small horses, many retain the characteristics of horses and are considered "horses" by their respective registrars. They have various colors and coat patterns.
Miniature horses are generally bred to be friendly and interact well with people. For this reason they are often kept as family pets, though they still retain natural horse behavior, including natural fighting or flying instincts, and should be treated like horses, even if they primarily serve as companion animals. They are also trained as servants, similar to help dogs for the disabled. The miniature horses are also trained for driving, riding agility, and other competitive horse events events.
Video Miniature horse
Characteristics and registration
There are two registrants in the United States for miniature horses: American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). AMHA was founded in 1978 and is dedicated to establishing Miniature horses as different types of horses. Many international organizations are associated with AMHA, including clubs across Canada and in several European countries. The AMHR is a division of the American pony Club Shetland and was established as a separate registry in 1972. Worldwide, there are dozens of miniature horse registries. Some organizations emphasize miniature breeding with horse characteristics, others encourage minis to maintain horse characteristics. Along with registries for miniature horses in general, there is also a breed-specific regulation, like some Falabella horses.
In AMHR, Miniatures should not exceed 38 inches at the withers (which where AMHR defines as located in the hair of the last mane). There are two divisions in AMHR: division "A" for 34-inch (86 cm) and below horse, and division "B" for horses 34 to 38 inches (86 to 97 cm). AMHA requires that the horses stand under 34 inches. Any eyelets or feather colors, and any form of white markings, are allowed to be registered. The AMHA standard shows that if one looks at a miniature horse photo, without reference to size, it will be identical in characteristic, conformation, and proportion of a full-sized horse. According to AMHR, "Thumbnails must be small, healthy, balanced, and should give the impression of strength, agility and alertness." Miniature should be vibrant and friendly but not enthusiastic in disposition. "
They are generally quite strong, often live longer than some full-sized horse races; the average age of miniature horses is 25 to 35 years. However, there are also some health problems that are more commonly found in miniature horses than their full-sized relatives. Overfeeding is a common problem in miniature horses, which causes obesity; this is especially true when the owner is used to having a full-sized horse. Dental problems, including crowding, brachygnathism (overbites) and prognathism (underbites) are often seen, because they have the same number of teeth in the mouth that are much smaller. They can also experience retention of deciduous teeth (baby teeth) and sinus problems from overcrowding. The combination of a tendency to overeat and dental problems can lead to an increase in the occurrence of colic. The major metabolic problem more commonly seen in miniature horses is hyperlipemia, where suppressive appetite suppressants can cause the body to break down significant amounts of fat, flood the liver and potentially cause liver failure. Reproduction is also more difficult on miniature horses, with higher difficult birth incidents and greater eclampsia potential. Most of the health problems seen more frequently in miniature horses are easily corrected by proper feeding and maintenance.
Maps Miniature horse
History
Miniature horses were first developed in Europe in the 1600s, and in 1765 they were often seen as pets. The others are used in coal mines in the UK and continental Europe. The British began to use small ponies in their mines after the Mining and Collieries Act of 1842 prohibited the use of young people as miners. Shetland's ponies are most often seen, though small and strong bangs that fit in small pit mines are used as pit ponies. The first small horses in the United States dated 1861, when John Rarey imported four Shetland horses, one of which was 24 inches (61 cm) tall. The addition of small English horses, as well as the little Dutch mares, was brought to the United States throughout the 1800s. These little horses continue the work of their British relatives, employed in coal mines in eastern and central America until the mid-1900s. In the 1960s, public appreciation for miniature horses began to grow, and they were increasingly used in a number of horse disciplines.
Falabella miniature horse was originally developed in Argentina in the mid-1800s by Patrick Newell. When Newell died, herds and breeding methods passed to Newell's son-in-law, Juan Falabella. Juan added additional bloodlines including Welsh Pony, Shetland pony, and Thoroughbreds. With considerable inbreeding, he was able to attain a consistently small size within the herd.
South African Miniature Horse is developed in South Africa and has various conformations represented in its population. Some resemble Arabic miniatures, while others appear to be smaller versions of the horse concept. Wynand de Wet is the first miniature horse breeder in South Africa, starting his program in 1945 in Lindley, South Africa. Other breeders soon followed, with many using Arab horses in their breeding program. In 1984, the breeding registry began, and the national cattle association recognized the South African Horse Miniature as an independent breed in 1989. There are about 700 miniature horses registered in South Africa.
Usage
There are many horse exhibition opportunities offered by registrants and shows sanctions organizations around the world. Many classes are offered, including halter (horse conformation), hunter in hand and jumpers, driving, freedom, costume, obstacle or trail class, and showmanship skills. Miniature horses are also used as companion animals and pets for children, the elderly, disabled and blind, as they are generally less intimidating than large horses. While miniature horses can be trained to work indoors, they are still real and healthier horses when left alive (with decent shelter and spaces to run) when not working with humans.
Controversy
Horses or horses?
There is an ongoing debate about whether miniature horses should have the characteristics of horses or horses. This is a common controversy in the miniature horse world and is also a heated debate between mini fans and owners of horses and other ponies. While technically every member of Equus ferus caballus under 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm) is called a "horse", many breeds, including some miniature breeds, actually retain the horse phenotype and their breeds registry. Therefore classify them as horses.
Some standard miniature horse breeds prefer horse characteristics such as short legs, plump and elongated torso, while others prefer the usual horse proportions. Even the name was disputed, terms like "Midget Pony" and "Pygmy Horse" were used in addition to "Miniature Horses" and specific breed names such as Falabella. The degree of controversy is reflected in the presence of over 30 different registrants for miniature horses or ponies only in the English-speaking world.
Dwarfism
Dwarfism is a concern in the world of miniature horses. The dwarf horses, while often setting the world record for size, are not considered to have desirable properties, generally have the wrong conformation, and may have significant health and health problems. Therefore, many registrants of miniature horses try to avoid receiving minis that are influenced by dwarfism for breeding stock registration. By 2014, commercial DNA testing becomes available for a set of dwarfism mutations. Four ACAN gene mutations are known to cause dwarfism or aborted fetuses on miniature horses. This test does not detect mutations that cause skeletal atavism in miniature horses and some ponies, or osteochondrodysplasia dwarfism seen in some horse breeds.
The oldest horse recorded in history is a miniature horse that is influenced by a dwarfism called Angel who lives with the North Carolina Horse Protection Institute and lives up to 50 years. The current record holder for the world's smallest horse is also a horse that is influenced by dwarfism, Thumbelina. , which is fully mature but is 17 inches (43 cm) tall and weighs 60 pounds (27 kg). Although he has received great publicity, the owner publicly declares that he will not be raised. In 2010, a pony horse weighing 6 pounds (2.7 kg) named Einstein challenged Thumbelina to earn the World's Smallest Horse title, partly based on the idea that there should be a separate world record category for the smallest non-dwarf horses.
Animal help
There is controversy over whether miniature horses fit as a help animal for the disabled. Those who support their use show that horses live longer than dogs and can be trained to perform similar tasks. Another plus is that some individuals, especially from Muslim culture, consider dogs to be unclean, but accept horses. Their opponent's use raises concerns that miniature horses are prey animals, with a fight-or-flight instinct that can limit their usefulness, and for legal reasons. In the US, where they are legally classified as livestock and require outdoor stability for good health, their use is limited to owners with access to vast pages in communities with tolerant land-use codes. In terms of practical considerations, they note that it is difficult even a miniature horse to do things like lying on a taxi chair or staying in a hotel room for a long time.
See also
- Miniature animals
- Horse guide
References
Further reading
- Blakely, R.L. (March 1985). "Miniature Horse". National Geographic . Vol.Ã, 167 no.Ã, 3. p. 384-393. ISSNÃ, 0027-9358. OCLCÃ, 643483454.
External links
- The American Mini Horse Association
- American Mini Horse Registry
- American Miniature Horses in France
- Association FranÃÆ'§aise du Cheval Miniature
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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