We chose the American miniature for their size and stature. They can be incredibly refined and beautiful. They are intelligent, restless and crave attention from humans. Mandatory DNA testing is also an important factor for us. The AMHA requires every horse be DNA tested before they contribute to the gene pool. Owners can be assured that the parentage of their horse is proven. The AMHA also gives owners the opportunity to compete against some of the best horses in the world in a professional environment.
The American Miniature Horse
The American Miniature Horse is a beautiful, small, well balanced horse that if all reference to size were eliminated, would have the same conformational proportions of other full sized light breeds. The mares demonstrate refinement and feminine qualities. The mature stallions show boldness and masculinity. The general impression is to be a balanced individual regardless of size with symmetry, strength, agility and alertness. Movement is strong, natural and athletic. In motion the horse will exude athleticism as demonstrated by suppleness of the shoulders and engaged hocks. In judging when characteristics are almost equal, preference must be given to the smaller horse.
American miniature horses are registered with the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and the American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR). These horses are imported from the U.S. or bred from imported parents. The American Miniature Horse is intelligent, curious, gentle, sensible, willing to cooperate and easy to train.
American Miniature Horse Association
The American Miniature Horse Association is the world's leading Miniature Horse registry with over 200,000 horses registered and more than 10,000 members in 38 countries and provinces. Founded in 1978, AMHA promotes the breeding, use and perpetuation of a standard of equine excellence in miniature, separate and apart from ponies and other small equine. Horses registered with AMHA must meet the Association standard of perfection and cannot exceed 34 inches in height at the withers as measured from the last hairs of the mane.
Source: The American Miniature Horse AssociationAmerican Miniature Horse Registry
The American Miniature Horse Registry is the original registry for the Miniature Horse in the United States. Registering as many as 10,000 horses each year and hosting an annual national show, AMHR recognizes two sizes and is the most comprehensive small equine option.
Division "A" Miniatures are up to 34" in height while the Division "B" Miniatures are between 34" and 38" tall. Unlike the majority of most equine breeds, miniature horses are measured at the last hair of their mane rather than at their wither. Miniature horses come in a full spectrum of coat colourings and patterns and (unlike Shetlands), a spotted appaloosa is an accepted and popular colouring in the American Miniature Horse Registry.
Source: The American Miniature Horse Registry
American Shetland Pony Club
The American Shetland Pony is a culmulation of more than 120 years of selective breeding for refinement, animation and motion. Breeding programs dating back to the 1800s have brought the breed far from the pony native to the Shetland Isles. The result - a refined, elegant, slender-necked show pony thats exhibits beauty, animation and graceful movement.
American Shetland Ponies may measure up to 46 inches at the withers so naturally thet tend to exhibit longer legs, tighter barrels and longer necks than the American miniature horse. Many shetlands mature under 38 inches making them eligible to be dual registered with the AMHR as B-division American miniature horses. There are also a small amount of American shetlands maturing under 34 inches being eligible to be triple registered minature horses with the AMHR and the AMHA.
The ASPC Registry was the beginning of the American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. and is the main breed registry of the organization - the American Shetland Pony.
In recent years, the American Shetland pony is growing in popularty among miniature horse breeders in the U.S. and Europe. Triple registered ponies are being incoroporated into miniature horse breeding programs to further enhance horse-like features and drive a contemporary look.
