Horses have always been symbols of strength and beauty. However, not all horse breeds are large and majestic; some captivate us with their small size and cute face. As a result of nearly 400 years of selective breeding, small horse breeds are an excellent choice for families with children or horse enthusiasts who lack ample space.
In this article, we will explore the 7 smallest horse breeds in the world, covering everything from their origins and characteristics to their images. Read on to find more about the exciting story of these tiny horse breeds!
What are small horse breeds?
Small horse breeds often come from wild mountain horses. These wild small horse breeds are naturally smaller because they had to live in a survival environment. Later, these breeds were domesticated and for several reasons people began to breed them for riding or to carry goods.
Currently, the Guinness World Records recognizes the smallest horse in the world as Thumbelina. She is a Miniature horse, with height reaching only 44cm and a weight below 47kg.
Similar to many other animals, horse breeds around the world are classified based on several characteristics, including height, breed standards, special traits, and genetics.
Height: The most basic difference for classifying horse breeds is their height. In general, a horse is about 14 hands high on average (about 58 inches or 147 cm) from the ground to the highest point of its back, between the shoulders. Therefore, a horse is small if its height does not exceed 14.2 hands when it is fully grown. These horses are often called “Ponies.” However, there are even smaller breeds, Miniature horses, usually standing under 32 inches (81 cm).
Breed standards: Each small horse breed has its own standards set by horse breeding organizations to distinguish one breed from another. The breed standards are appearance, body structure, color, behavior, movement and more
Special traits: Small horse breeds often have unique traits that are not found in other breeds. For example, small horse breeds, especially miniature horse breeds, are generally more sociable than others. This is also the reason why small horses are very gentle and friendly towards humans.
Genetics: Scientists and breeders study horse genetics to better understand the origins and development history of the breeds. Genetic analysis also helps ensure the purity of the breed and detect mutations that may affect the health or temperament of the horses.
7 smallest horse breeds in the world
Shetland Pony
| Origin | Shetland, Scotland |
| Size | 7 hands – 11 hands in height; 400 – 450 pounds in weight |
| Lifespan | 20-25 years |
| Colors | White, black, brown, gray, chestnut, etc (except Appaloosa spots) |
| Personality | Friendly, intelligent, hardworking, gentle |
The Shetland pony is a small horse breed that came from the Shetland Islands, Scotland about 4,000 years ago. Later, Norse settlers arrived on the island with their Dole horses. These Dole horses were bred with the local equine to create the Shetland pony we know today. As they lived in the harsh environment of the Shetland Islands, the Shetland pony has a robust body, thick coat, and short, sturdy legs, making it well-suited for moving over rough terrain. Therefore, Shetland ponies were widely kept on farms and in coal mines. Additionally, Shetland ponies have other distinctive physical features such as a large head, small perky ears always alert, bright intelligent eyes, a short neck, and a flowing mane and tail.
Today, the Shetland is one of the most popular small horse breeds in Europe. This breed is particularly suitable for families with children because it is very gentle and friendly.
Fjord Horse / Norwegian Fjord horse
| Origin | Norway |
| Size | 13.2 to 14.2 hands in height, 900 to 1,000 pounds in weigh |
| Lifespan | up to 30 years |
| Colors | The dark brown color is the most common |
| Personality | gentle and intelligent |
Besides the name Fjord horse, this smallest horse breed is also known by other names such as Norges Fjordhest (Norwegian), Norwegian Dun, and Nordfjord. The Fjord Horse originates from the high mountain valleys of Norway for thousands of years. Therefore, Fjord horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in the world.
The Fjord Horse is such a strong horse breed with a curved neck and sturdy legs, making it suitable for both riding and pulling carts. Its erect mane and a dark stripe that runs along the middle of the forehead, mane, back, and tail, are a hallmark of the breed.
Horse experts around the world recognize the Fjord horse as very gentle and intelligent. Therefore, this type of smallest horse breed is quite suitable for both children and adults, without needing much training.
Noma Pony
| Origin | Shikoku Island, Japan |
| Size | about 10.75 hands (43 inches) to 13.75 hands (55 inches) in height; 450 pounds in weight |
| Lifespan | over 20 years |
| Colors | Brown, bay, and chestnut |
| Personality | Calm and hard-working |
The Noma Pony, originating from the Noma region in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, is one of the smallest and rarest horse breeds in the world. Today, only a few dozen purebred Noma ponies remain. As a result, the Japanese government and organizations worldwide are taking lots of efforts to conserve this unique small horse breed.
Although the Noma pony is quite petite, standing about 90 cm tall with thin legs, it is very strong and adaptable. Therefore, it is well-suited for heavy-lifting tasks. According to some history records, the Noma pony was the main pack horse during World War II.
Miniature Horse / American Miniature horse
| Origin | England |
| Size | under 34 inches to 38 inches in height; 150 to 350 pounds in weight |
| Lifespan | 20 to 25 years |
| Colors | Chocolate, black, white,… |
| Personality | Friendly, gentle |
The Miniature horse is specifically bred to create a perfect miniature replica of a horse. Originating from England around the 1600s, the initial purpose of breeding was to create ornamental pets in some wealthy families. Many people realized that it was costly and quite challenging to breed a horse over 1,000 pounds. Therefore, for those who want to own a cute, tiny horse, this mini version is an ideal choice.
According to the American Miniature Horse Association’s Standard of Perfection, a Miniature horse is not a dwarf, stunted, or “genetic” error horse. Miniature horses must be selectively bred to produce a complete, healthy horse with the distinct physical characteristics of horses.
With a modest height comparable to a large dog, Miniatures are not suitable for riding or heavy lifting. This adorable horse is typically kept as a house pet and participates in various entertainment activities like show jumping, driving, and obstacle courses.
Falabella
| Origin | Argentina |
| Size | 25 inches to 34 inches in height; 40 to 100 pounds in weight |
| Lifespan | 40 to 45 years |
| Colors | black, brown, pinto, bay, chestnut… |
| Personality | Gentle, friendly, intelligent, and easy to train. |
The Falabella is one of the most famous small horse breeds in the world, descended from the Andalusian horses of Latin America. The breed was first developed in the early 19th century by the Falabella family. They selectively bred small purebred horses with the Criollo and Shetland ponies. The initial goal was to create a breed that was extremely small, agile, and easy to train for farm work, while still retaining the physical characteristics of horses. Hence, this small breed was named after the Falabella family.
Today, the Falabella is loved worldwide for its petite and charming appearance, smooth coat, and thin build. Beyond being used for riding or as pets, Falabella horses are also well-suited for performance tasks.
Guoxia
| Origin | Guangxi region, China |
| Size | about 10 hands (40 inches) in heigh; 440 to 500 pound in weight |
| Lifespan | No record |
| Colors | often roan, bay, gray |
| Personality | Friendly, hard-working, quiet, gentle |
Guoxia, one of the oldest horse breeds in Guangxi region, China. This small horse breed was almost forgotten until it was revived and conserved in the 1980s. Initially, Gouxia was used to transport fruit on rugged mountain paths, a task that larger horse breeds couldn’t do. Today, besides its role in agriculture, Guoxia is also loved in some recreational activities.
Icelandic Horse
| Origin | Iceland |
| Size | 52 inches to 56 inches in heigh; about 730 and 840 pounds in weight |
| Lifespan | 20 to 25 years |
| Colors | Many colors: black, gray, chestnut, dun, pinto, palomino, bay and roan |
| Personality | friendly, gentle |
The Icelandic horse is a distinctive small breed from Iceland. This breed originated from horses brought to Iceland by Vikings in the early centuries AD. A unique feature of the Icelandic horse is its gait. In addition to performing all standard gaits such as walking, trotting, and galloping, the Icelandic horse is renowned for two unique gaits: the tölt and the skeið. Regarding the skeið gait, you can compare it to the gaits of the American Saddlebred, Paso Fino, and Tennessee Walker.
FAQs
Yes, small horses make ideal pets for people of all ages and skill levels. The smallest horse breeds in the world are often very gentle, friendly, and affectionate. They are usually very intelligent and easy to train, and can participate in recreational activities such as light racing, cart pulling, and even medical therapy.
Keeping a small horse inside a house is not a feasible option for many reasons. Even smaller breeds like the Miniature Horse require a lot of space to run and move around. This need is something that a regular home cannot accommodate. Instead, horses should be kept outdoors in a safe and spacious area
Conclusion
Small horses are not foals or stunted horses. Small horse breeds have to be classified by a standard system that includes height, breed standards, special traits, and genetics. Their charming small size, friendly nature, and intelligence have attracted many horse enthusiasts all over the world. Indeed, owning a small horse in your backyard would be an amazing idea.
