Page 112 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

To that end, the American Miniature Horse
Registry (AMHR) provides an alternative for
AMHA in that the horses can compete in either
in the A (34” and under) or B division (34” – 38”).
Again, the B minis resemble more of a smaller
pony. Around the mid-1980s through the mid-
2000s, AMHA horse breeders sought a more
Arab look to their horses – tiny muzzles, tight ears,
pretty heads, long hooky necks with a clean throat
INFORMATIVE and refinement. The American Miniature Horse
latch and, in general, short coupling, long legs,

Registry has also evolved in the last thirty years
or so with its breed standard that is reflective of
the AMHA horse but up to 38 inches. After about
2010, many breeders began breeding the smaller
height Shetlands with AMHA horses in hopes of
producing even hookier necks, longer legs, and
even more extreme movement, Although the
potential to go over the required 34” threshold is
high, many breeders have “taken their chances”
AMHA 30 in mare looks like a miniature in an effort to produce the best of both worlds.
horse EE Pistols Sentimental Lady
The trend towards triple-registered animals has
continued with such famous sires, as McCarthy’s
Around this time, American Miniature Horse Jesse James of Rivenburgh, Rivenburgh’s Jess Let
Registry was formed as an offshoot of the Me Impress, Graham’s Ragtime, amongst others.
American Shetland Pony Club. These horses
measured up to 38”, whereas the ASPC ponies The American Miniature
could go up to 46”. Typically, the Shetlands Horse Registry has also
comprised smaller measurements – averaging evolved in the last thirty
about 42”. In the late 1970s the American years or so with its breed
Miniature Horse Association was formed. The
maximum height for AMHA horses is 34.” The standard that is reflective of
miniature horse goes back to the Renaissance the AMHA horse but up to 38
and has evolved over the centuries as a blend inches.
of selected breeds to become the tiny, elegant
animal we see today. Back in the 17th century, The crosses have led to extreme action in a
miniature horses were popular among both smaller horse with frequent winners in the show
princes and paupers. They were kept as pets for ring. The most recent trends lies in hardshipping
the aristocracy, playthings for palace children – AMHR and AMHR/ASPC horses into AMHA. The
especially in the realm of Louis XIV in France. most up-to-date rule allows for horses three
But they were also used in coal mines where years of age and 34” in height to register in the
their size and relative strength was ideal in the American Miniature Horse Association’s studbook.
constricted space, and for travelling circuses. At There are many arguments for and against
that time, the goal lay in creating the smallest, hardshipping. The arguments against have to do
most perfect horse without risking the possibility with pushing the envelope with respect to height.
of dwarfism. These horses resembled full-sized The reasons for include the opinion that the cross
horses in miniature and did not display the “pony produces a beautiful animal that improves the
look” of many of our 34” and under horses of breed standard. Based on these factors, the trend
today that breeders have crossed on American towards infusing smaller horses with Shetland
Shetlands. blood will continue for years to come.

112 | Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023