American Miniature Horse
| American Miniature Horse | |
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| Important data | |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Main breeding area: | United States |
| Distribution: | North America and Europe |
| Stick measure : | 86.5 cm (34 inches) or less |
| Colors : | all |
| Main application area: | Driving horse, therapy horse |
American Miniature Horse (English; German "American Miniature Horse ") - also miniature horse for short - is a horse breed from the USA .
Exterior
The following breed standard with regard to the exterior (i.e. the external appearance and build) is based on the "AMHA Standard of Perfection":
- head
- Proportional to the dimensions of the neck and body. Broad forehead with large, expressive eyes. Comparatively small distance between eyes and mouth. Straight or slightly concave in profile. Large nostrils , fine mouth, correct teeth. Ears medium-sized, pointed, carried attentively with the tips of the ears tilted slightly inward. Clearly defined throat for good freedom from ganches .
- neck
- Agile, in length to match body and type and gently merging into the withers .
- body
- Well muscled, enough bone substance. Balanced and well proportioned. Short back, well-formed kidney and croup area . Flowing contours and generally straight topline. Low belt position, narrow, slender body. Shoulder long and sloping, allows free swinging movement and good posture of the neck and head. Well muscled chest. Long, well-muscled hindquarters. The croup should be roughly level with the withers. The tail is neither particularly high nor particularly deep, but gently rounds off the trunk.
- foundation
- Legs straight and parallel when viewed from the front or rear. Viewed from the side, straight, dry and describing a rectangle. The toe of the hoof should point straight forward. Seen from the side, the pastern and hoof line run in an unbroken straight line at an angle of approx. 45 degrees to the ground.
- Movement sequence
- elastic, committed, rhythmic, cadenced
Breeding history
The American Miniature Horse breed originated in the USA. However, it has its roots in Europe in the 17th century: Sources show that the small but elegant horses were kept and bred at the royal courts as playmates for the royal children. However, wars brought them to the brink of extinction here, and a few specimens could be saved overseas. The Americans continued to breed systematically by crossing Hackney ponies , Falabellas and Shetland ponies .
The first own stud book for American miniature horses was founded in early 1970. In 1978 the AMHA (American Miniature Horse Association) was finally brought into being, which today is one of the largest breeding associations in the world. AMHA-registered horses must not exceed 34 inches (86.4 cm) by the last mane hair of the withers when fully grown. In addition, the breed standard stipulates that the Miniature Horse should be as small as possible, yet well balanced, slender and elegant horse with perfect proportions and good gait. After all, the miniature horse must have a hard work, patient and “people-related” character of a large horse.
American Miniature Horses in Germany
American miniature horses were first imported to Europe from the United States in 1976. At that time they were the absolute attraction at the Equitana in Essen. Although breeding has been going on for several years in France, Belgium, Denmark and the UK, the breed has only recently gained a foothold in Germany. American miniature horses have officially existed since the entry of the broodmares of the miniature horse breeding CS in the studbook of the Bavarian Breeding Association for Special Horse Breeds in 2003 and the licensing of their stallion AF Ivy Toro as the first and only stallion of this breed in German-speaking countries in the same year. Valid AMHA papers are required for registration in Germany.
See also
Web links
- Jane: The horse breeds: American Miniature Horse
Individual evidence
- ↑ Background information on horse evaluation and breeding can be found under: Exterior , interior and horse breeding .
- ^ Official Rule Book of the American Miniature Horse Association. (PDF) In: American Miniature Horse Association. Retrieved April 15, 2020 .
- ↑ Our mini horses. In: CD | Classic dressage. Retrieved April 15, 2020 .