Mini height

So recently I rescued a mini from Camelot. Well, I thought he was a mini but he looks more like a Shetland then anything. He's around 10 hands but isn't dwarf like a mini. Where would you stop classifying a mini as well, a mini and start classifying them as a small pony? Would my guy be a pony or a mini??
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Exactly how tall is he? How old is he? This would make a difference, as to whether or not and in certain registries, if he could be classified as a Miniature. Can you post pictures maybe? He might be a cross Mini/Shetland. This cross is not uncommon. And thank you, for saving a horse from Camelot.

Lets make one thing clear here. Minis are NOT dwarfs. They are also NOT ponies. They are Miniature Horses.

Regarding dwarfs: Some Miniatures, Mini/Shetland crosses, can and do, produce dwarfs. There is also dwarfism known in a few large breed horses. According to the type of dwarfism - and there are several, their quality of life can be fairly easy or incredibly difficult, to deal with. Some will take a great amount of veterinary care and others, not so much. The worst cases will often die or have to be put to sleep.

Some types of dwarfism, is difficult to spot. Some, very apparent at birth. You can see some here...

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You can also read a great deal about dwarfs and dwarfism, on the Li'l Beginnings Miniature Horse forum.

Lil Beginnings Miniature Horse Forums

Lizzie

Well by dwarf I meant 'small' like a mini. He's built more horse like. He's 10-10.1 hh and 'aged'. I was told he was 16 years old. But I can get pictures here soon
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Pictures -






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The exact point of a well-bred miniature horse is to be just that - built like a miniature horse, so I am not understanding what you mean by "built more like a horse" in the context of whether or not he is, in fact, a mini. The idea is NOT to have a "dwarfed" appearance at all.
B division minis are 34-38 inches in height, so if he is 10-10.1 his height would put him out of "mini" status.

I don't understand much about mini's, so I will state that as a disclaimer. I know that mini's are registered based on height. With those under a certain height being considered mini's. I understand that back in the 80's the true mini's bloodlines were considered the fabella lines, these were the first ones in the country and were a big deal. Again, this is as I understand it and that's not very well. Some mini's are known to throw larger horses that are not considered mini's due to the heigh restriction. These horses are often selected against in many breeding programs. Its possible that your boy is considered a mini cross or is an oversized mini. I have seen a few mini's that are actually the size of small ponies.

Judging my the pics I say Mini/Pony Cross

Not a bad looking little fellow at all CB. Loved the pic of him at the auction. He trots out and sets up, beautifully. He has a lovely big eye too. With some conditioning and work, this will be quite a smart pony to put to the cart. Since he's older, he might have been trained to the cart already. Try him in harness. Don't allow him to overeat and get fat. He's in pretty good weight, judging by the pic of him trotting.

According to the AMHA, Minis cannot exceed 34" when measured correctly. In the AMHR registry, division A is up to 34" and division B, between 34 and 38". So as themacpack says, your boy is not a Miniature. He is however, within range for American Shetland heights. And this is what I think he probably is. There have been a whole lot of Shetland breeders getting rid of their stock, lately.

Lizzie

Only reason I asked was because I told my BO he's a mini but I don't want to take him there once his quarentine is up and he think I lied about him being a mini. I didnt realize how much of a difference there is between 9 and 10 hands.
He's just going to be a pasture buddy for my two horses but he's giving me a break on board becuse he is a 'mini' and just a pet basically. I just don't want him to think I was telling him he was smaller then he really is so I can get a cut on board because I'm not!
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