ABC  Miniature Horse Farm
Coldwater, Mississippi
farm 662-560-4024
cell 901-361-5278 or 901-493-9541

"Home of the Little Ones"

Established 1985
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Members of 
American Miniature Horse Association
Southern Miniature Horse Confederation
American Miniature Horse Registry
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THE REGISTRIES
In the United States we have two main miniature horse registries at this time. One is the American Miniature Horse Association known as the "AMHA".  The AMHA is a closed registry, therefore,  only miniature horses that are born to AMHA registered parents are allowed to be registered with AMHA. The foals are issued a temporary registration certificate and if they remain 34" or less at 5 years of age they are then issued permanent registration. ABC Miniature Horse Farm is affiliated with AMHA.
 The other main registry is the American Miniature Horse Registry, known as the "AMHR".  This registry is a division of the Shetland Pony Club. The AMHR recognizes horses in two size divisions. The "A" division is for horses 34" and under and the "B" division is for horses over 34 to 38 inches in height. AMHR issues temporary registration until 3 years of age and permanent registration over 3 years of age. The AMHR will register foals from AMHR or AMHA parentage.

SIZE and GROWTH
Foals are born weighing from 10 to 20 pounds and they are usually 16 to 22 inches in height when delivered. They will do 80 to 90% of their growing to adult size in the first year of their life. When grown, adults will weigh from 150 to 300 pounds. AMHA considers a miniature horse mature at five years of age.

REPRODUCTION
The miniature horse stallions are generally fertile by two years of age, however, some wait until they are older. Some miniature mares will breed at two years of age but generally wait until three years of age to start breeding, we feel it is best to wait until they are 3 years old or older to breed, occasionally there are mares that will not conceive until five years old or older. Gestation takes 320 to 360 days or approximately 11 months. The birthing process is rather rapid once the mare begins to strain, usually within 10 to 15 minutes. A new foal should be on it's feet and attempting to nurse well within an hour. New mothers are great care givers and should be very attentive to their new foals.

Where did they come from?
There are many accounts regarding where the "miniature" originated, some accurate and some not so accurate, I would imagine.  There is evidence that some small horses did exist as early as 600 A.D..  Celtic carvings from before the Norse invasions(800 A.D.) clearly depict unusually small horses (Duggan 1972). However, the first written accounts were articles in London, England in 1765 (Blair 1989). These articles mentioned a tiny black stallion measuring only 30 inches and a little mare only two feet and four inches high, she was said to be 4 years old and made as a deer.  It is believed these little horses were then being bred as playthings for the rich and royal.

How did they get to America?
It is believed tiny horses that were bred for their small size to work in the English and Dutch mines were brought into this country during the 19th century and were used to work in the Appalachian coal mines even as late as 1950.  In the past decade, several breeders have imported miniature horses from England, Holland, Belgium, and West Germany.

What do you do with them?
The first thing you do with them is love them, everyone does, you can't help it they are so precious.  They are wonderful for children due to their size and great personality.  Many families show them in competition throughout the United States as a family activity, there are fun shows, as well as registered local and regional, almost any weekend thru out the United States and National Championship Shows annually. You can show your horse in several different types of classes such as Conformation, Obstacle, Pleasure Driving, Roadster, and others.

Do they eat a lot?
Nope!  Unlike the standard size horse we have found the miniatures really cheap to keep. Miniature horses need approximately 1/2 acre per horse and miniature horse will do very well with a small amount of grain, a pint or less depending on his size, and a particle flake of hay daily and the hay is not as necessary if grazing pasture area is available.  They need shade and water, but, their requirements are really no different than a standard size horse just everything is in much smaller amounts from feed portions to worming practices to stall size.

What care do they need?
Your horse will need some type of shelter for shade and to protect from cold or wet weather, a simple three sided shelter will serve well. The miniature horse does not require shoes unless you use them in parades, etc. where they are walking long distances on pavement or concrete. Our horses that stay pastured rarely require hoof trims as the ground keeps their feet in good shape. Their vaccine and medical needs are the same as any other type horse. We worm several times annually with a paste wormer which is a lot like toothpaste it's inexpensive and simply applied into the side of their mouth.

How much do they cost?
The miniature horse is a great investment.  Depending on which type of mini you are buying the price can vary.  Young foals are usually less expensive than proven breeding stock or show horses. A pet or companion quality miniature horse is usually less expensive than the show quality miniature horse.  Some things that can effect the price of a miniature horse are age, conformation, size, attitude, bloodlines, and color.