Miniature horses are not ponies
Who doesn’t love a mini horse or pony, with their adorable horse features and tiny bodies? Even the TV series “Parks and Recreation” had plotlines revolving around one of these cute creatures, named Li’l Sebastian.
It’s important to distinguish between miniature horses and ponies, though. Mini horses are exactly how they sound: just miniature versions of horses. Ponies, however, are something else, with physical characteristics that differ from horses.
They’re tiny versions of horses
As you can see in the images above, mini horses retain horse-like features, just on a smaller scale. In fact, most mini horses are about the same size as a large dog. Ponies, on the other hand, can be slightly larger.
Shetland ponies can be real work horses
Short and stout Shetland ponies are often used to teach beginner equestrians how to ride, especially children. While they’re only 28 to 46 inches in height, they’re strong, hardy ponies.
Shetland ponies can be pets
Shetlands make great companion pets, but they can also serve as draft horses, pulling carts or wagons. Some say these sturdy ponies can even pull more weight than a Clydesdale.
They come from Scotland
As you may have surmised from the name, this breed came from the Shetland Islands in Scotland, where wild herds still roam.
Falabella horses might be the smallest in the world
The Falabella is one of the smallest horse breeds in the world, coming in at just 28 to 34 inches tall. This type of horse hails from Argentina, where it has a line that can be traced back to Shetland ponies and Welsh ponies, as well as other small horse breeds.
They’re tiny and gentle
Falabella horses are known for being loyal and incredibly gentle, and they are often kept as pets or for show.
Welsh ponies are larger than other ponies and mini horses, but are still small
The Welsh Pony and Cob group can vary widely in size, ranging from 48 to 60 inches tall. They are divided into four breeds: Welsh Mountain Ponies, Welsh Pony of riding type, Welsh Pony of Cob type and the Welsh Cob.
The Welsh Cob is the largest
The Welsh Cob must be at least 54 inches tall, and they can serve as riding horses for both children and adults.
These ponies come from Wales
Welsh Mountain Ponies are the smallest, often no taller than 48 inches. As the name suggests for the entire group, these breeds originated in Wales and can be traced back as far the Middle Ages.