Two mini horses graze in a grassy field.

Photo Courtesy of Stacy Furgang, DMV

Pint-size Companions Deliver Full-Sized Fun

by

Cynthia McFarland

The only thing Miniature Horses lack is size. These diminutive horses may be small in stature, but more than make up for it in personality, physical ability, courage, and willpower.

You can do anything with minis that can be done with full-size horses–except ride them. Minis provide a perfect way to be active in the horse world and for their owners, the satisfaction level is off the charts.

– Gina Murphy of Peacock Ponies in Ocala

Practical History

Those unfamiliar with Miniature Horses often refer to them as “ponies,” but this is not the case. With hundreds of years of careful breeding involved, minis are scaled-down versions of full-sized horses.

They may be petite, but their proportions are harmonious and balanced with adults generally weighing between 150 to 250 pounds. An expressive head tops a compact body with short, but strong legs. Minis come in all colors and patterns, with any variety of white markings and eye color.

Although alert and agile, they are sociable, gentle and affectionate. This winning temperament makes them ideal as pets, and even as therapy animals when trained for that purpose. Owners say that minis have the looks and abilities of horses, but the personality of a Golden Retriever or similar family-friendly dog.

Miniature Horses hail from Europe where they first were bred as pets for royal families in the 1600s.

Photo Courtesy of Stacy Furgang, DMV

Their tiny size made Miniature Horses useful for working in coal mines. Lady Estella Hope of England was well known for her breeding program and had a four-in-hand driving team of Shetland Ponies that stood just 35-1/2 inches tall. The American Miniature Horse Association credits Shetland bloodlines and some minis in the U.S. trace back to the Hope line.

Today, minis are found in at least three dozen countries. There are two main registries for the breed: the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR).

The AMHA will not register horses standing taller than 34 inches, while the AMHR recognizes two divisions: “A” (up to 34 inches) and B (34 to 38 inches). Horses are measured from the last hair of the mane at the withers.

Although not all Miniature Horses are registered, many owners who are into competition like colored minis, some of which can be double registered as Paints or Pintos.

Unfortunately, with any animal that is consistently bred to be small, dwarfism can sometimes occur. This can result in undesirable features, such as a bulging forehead and extremely dished face, underbite, and stubby legs with club feet or other deformities. In a dwarf mini, the adult looks disproportionate with an oversized head and body for its small height. Buying only from reputable breeders is the best way to avoid dwarfism.

“Minis have really taken off. There’s a big boom right now in people aged 55 to 75 showing minis and ponies, mostly driving, but in-hand is also very big. Minis are very hardy and can pull a lot more weight in a carriage than people think,” says Gina Murphy of Peacock Ponies in Ocala, who has trained, sold and shown Miniature Horses and ponies for many years.

She points out that in addition to being safer and easier for older owners to handle, minis don’t require much acreage. This simple fact has made it more realistic and practical to own minis than full-sized equines.

A local show is a great spot to see Miniature Horses in action and learn more about the breed.

“Minis are very unintimidating for people to be introduced to horses for the first time. They traveled throughout the Miami area promoting horses to residents and putting a face on the racetrack. You train minis following the same principles as with a full-sized horse. When horses know you respect them, they’re more receptive to training and are very good to handle.”

Tammy Gantt, Former Director of Promotions for Calder Racecourse

“There are a lot of minis in this area and plenty of open shows where they don’t have to be registered to compete. The Ponies & Palms Miniature Horse Shows at the UMC showgrounds in Sparr are great shows to introduce people to minis,” says Murphy.

Falling for Minis

For those involved with Miniature Horses, all it took was exposure to these remarkable equines to succumb to their charm.

Minis found their way into Tammy Gantt’s life—and heart—when she was director of promotions for Calder Racecourse.

Churchill Downs (which owned the track) purchased a pair of Miniature Horses in 2000, which Tammy proceeded to train as tiny mascots to represent the track.

Purchased from Dent Miniature Horse Ranch in Vero Beach, Thunder stood 29 inches tall, and Lightning was just 26 inches tall.

“At the time, Lightning–who is a brown-and-white paint with blue eyes– was the smallest mini they’d ever bred,” says Gantt, who got the minis when they were just six months old.

Photo Courtesy of Tammy Gantt

After a name contest with more than 500 children submitting entries, Thunder and Lightning were official mascots. They were the track mascots for the Junior Jockey Club from 2002 to 2012. For a decade, the pair were used in community outreach making appearances at schools, hospitals, Girl Scout functions and more. At many community events they offered kids their first opportunity to interact with horses.

“You train minis following the same principles as with a full-sized horse. When horses know you respect them, they’re more receptive to training and are very good to handle,” she explains.

Companions and Competitors

When Stacy Furgang, DVM, first moved to South Florida she had two horses.

“I wanted a companion for the horse left behind when I was out riding, so I got my first mini in 2018,” says Furgang.

While on the hunt for another mini, she found a miniature donkey and foal, so she added them to the herd instead. She currently has three Miniature Horses and two mini donkeys.

“They’re literally like potato chips; I started with one and it quickly turned into five!” she laughs. “They’re all together in a herd and get along great. They’re so personable; it’s easy to have multiples.”

When Furgang and her husband, Chris, got married in 2019, she even included her mini “Pooh” in the wedding ceremony. He officially escorted her to the ceremony by carriage in a heartwarming scene.

Photo Courtesy of Stacy Furgang, DMV

The couple and their horses now reside in the Morriston area at their Oakton Farm. Chris is totally on board with their mini equines. He even makes charcuterie boards for them featuring cut-up apples, bananas, and carrots.

Although Furgang shows jumpers, after she began driving Pooh, she started showing him at Miniature Horse shows. She also takes her minis to charity events to help with fundraising.

“They’re literally like potato chips; I started with one and it quickly turned into five! They’re all together in a herd and get along great. They’re so personable; it’s easy to have multiples.”

Stacy Furgang, DVM

Local Mini Hotspot

A friend was into minis and after hanging around them, Witmer was smitten. What really won her over was going to Live Oak International, the prestigious combined driving/jumping competition in Ocala. After watching the marathon–a driving obstacle course contested at speed–Gale was amazed at the competitive nature and physical ability of small equines. Those were ponies, not minis, but she soon discovered that minis are used for driving, and she was hooked.

“Driving is getting to be a really big sport. It’s great for older equestrians who can’t throw a leg over a horse, but want to stay involved,” she says.

Witmer got her own mini and began holding events at her facility. Tree Line Farm in Williston has become a popular spot with regular events for minis, including monthly shows and weekly driving days.

“These guys are little Ferraris! The more you work them, the more they want to work. They’re really good at jumping. They’re strong, smart, brave and fun,” says Witmer.

“Every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm we have a driving day for anyone with minis or ponies under 14.2 hands. You can come drive and practice the cones course. We also have an obstacle course you can do in-hand or driving,” says Witmer, noting that driving day runs through May.

“These guys are little Ferraris! The more you work them, the more they want to work. They’re really good at jumping. They’re strong, smart, brave and fun!”

Gale Witmer, local equestrian

Photo Courtesy of Tammy Gantt

“We do a whole circuit called Tree Line Farms Pleasure Series from October 1 through the end of May. We encourage people who are new to driving or new to minis to come out,” she adds.

These monthly shows provide a great opportunity to see minis compete in halter classes, jumping (in-hand), driving, games, cones, and more.

Jumping is a spectator favorite. Of course, these tiny horses aren’t ridden. Rather, the exhibitor runs through the course alongside their mini, who is on a lead line.

In the hunter classes, horses are judged on form over fences. In jumping classes, horses are judged on speed and keeping the rails up. In the Puissance high-jump class, the mini with the highest jump over the Puissance wall wins. Thus far, the highest jump has been 38 inches.

The remaining show date for this spring is April 26. The show starts at 9am and runs until the last class wraps up.

Photos Courtesy of Gale Witmer

Local Mini Hotspot

If you’re considering buying a Miniature Horse, seek out a reputable breeder. As Witmer notes, the mini world is filled with owners who are happy to help newcomers make connections, and there are numerous breeders in Florida.

When it comes to health care, Miniature Horses need the same basics as full-sized horses: routine hoof care, dental care, deworming, and vaccination. Ask other mini owners in your area to recommend a veterinarian who is experienced with minis.

Minis are “easy keepers” and can easily over-eat. Stacy Furgang, DVM, advises feeding a ration balancer instead of grain. This way, minis get the vitamins and minerals they need without the extra calories. Grass hay is usually sufficient rather than high protein hay like alfalfa.

If you have pasture, minis shouldn’t be turned out and allowed to graze 24/7, as they will eat more than needed to maintain weight and can be at risk of founder.

Thanks to their European bloodlines, minis can grow thick winter coats. For this reason, owners who show often keep them clipped and just blanket as needed through the coldest months.

As for fences, non-climb wire fencing that extends all the way to the ground is usually a safer option than board fencing as minis may be able to get under a bottom board if it’s not low enough.

In addition, you’ll want to be proactive and use fencing that keeps predators out. Given their small size, minis can be vulnerable to attack by aggressive dogs or coyotes.

Photo Courtesy of Tammy Gantt

Because of their small size, you may have to make some modifications. For example, minis can walk right under standard trailer dividers, while generic waterers and stock tanks can be too tall for them to drink out of.

If you have full-size horses, the safest place for minis is in their own enclosure so they aren’t accidentally injured by a larger equine.

Get Involved

Attending a show is one of your best options to see Miniature Horses up close and personal. In addition to the shows at Tree Line Farm, minis in this area also compete at the Florida Horse Park, Grand Oaks, and the Sparr UMC Horse Show, including the Ponies & Palms Miniature Horse Show series.

Ask anyone involved with Miniature Horses and the answer is clear. Minis may be pint-sized, but they deliver full-sized fun.