Miniature horses are one of the world’s cutest animals in my opinion. I love these tiny horses because of their big personalities, adorable appearance, and tiny size. They can come in all shapes and colors, just as other horses can, but what sets them apart is the tiny size of these horses. This is all about the worlds smallest horse breeds.
The Worlds Smallest Horses
There are so many tiny horse breeds in the world, but the smallest horses of them all include breeds like the Falabella, Dwarf Miniature Horse, Shetland Pony, and the American Miniature Horse. There are a few famous horses known for their tiny height such as Einstein and Thumbelina, both who stood below 18 inches tall!
The Falabella Horse
| Height | 6 to 8.3 hands high (24 to 35 inches) |
| Weight | 150 to 175 pounds (70 to 80 Kilograms) |
| Acceptable Coat Colors | Any color or pattern seen in horses |
| Country of Origin | Argentina |
The Falabella is by far the smallest horse breed in the world. These incredibly small horses are often allowed in people’s homes and ridden by small children because of their small height.
Believe it or not, Falabellas are descended mainly from Arabian and Thoroughbred horses. The smallest of these horses were bred to create smaller Arabian Thoroughbred crosses (also known as Anglo Arabians which you can read more about by clicking here). The smallest offspring of these horses were continuously crossed before being mixed with Shetland ponies. the resulting horses were small ponies who were then selectively bred and even inbred to create the tiny horses we know today.
Shetland Pony
| Height | Up to 10.2 hands high |
| Weight | 400 to 450 pounds (180 to 205 Kilograms) |
| Acceptable Coat Colors | Almost any coat color and pattern; no double dilutes or spots |
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
The Shetland pony is a strong little pony and it is known for its sturdiness and popularity as a children’s riding pony.
Shetlands are most commonly used as general riding ponies for small children. This is because they are the perfect size for a child to ride. They can be used for riding both English and Western riding. but English is more popular with this breed.
Because they are naturally hardy and healthy little ponies, Shetlands are long living ponies. The longest living Shetland pony was actually a Shetland pony cross who actually lived to be 56 years old!
American Miniature Horse
| Height | 8.2 hands high maximum |
| Weight | 225 pounds (100 kilograms) |
| Acceptable Coat Colors | Any coat color or pattern |
| Country of Origin | United States of America |
The American Miniature horse is a breed of Miniature horse that is popularly used for a number of different things. They are popular both for children’s riding as well as therapy work, driving, and even miniature horse shows and jumping.
These little horses are long lived and are known to live well into their 30s. It is actually this breed of horse where the smallest foal is from.
The black and white patched colt, known as Einstein, was born with a record height of just 14 inches tall!
Dwarf Miniature Horse
| Height | 8.2 hands high maximum |
| Weight | 200 pounds maximum (90 Kilograms) |
| Acceptable Coat Colors | Any coat color or pattern |
| Country of Origin | United States of America |
Though dwarf miniature horses aren’t a breed on their own, they are still considered the smallest horses in the world. Thumbelina, a dwarf miniature horse, stood at just 17 hands high and weighed just 57 pounds (26 Kilograms). This made her the smallest horse in the world
Dwarf miniature horses show a number of characteristics that classify them as having the genetic condition of dwarfism. These signs are:
- a domed forehead
- nostrils too high up on the face
- short stubby legs
- limb deformities
- a distended belly
- a short neck
Though these little horses are adorable, they should avoid being bred as to not pass on this genetic condition.