Standards of Excellence

 

MINIATURE & SMALL HORSE

General appearance:

The miniature horse should be a square, well balanced, scaled down version of a full sized horse. The overall impression should be of a well-bred, free moving, elegant horse in miniature.

Height:

Head & Neck: The head should present a clean cut, finely chiseled outline with thin skin closely adhered to the underlying parts. The head should be free from coarse connective tissue, with wide spacious nostrils and fine mobile lips. The ears should be well set and in proportion.
A large kind eye is desirable; all eye colours are equally acceptable. The head should attach onto, not into the neck, neither too closely attached nor too loosely coupled. The neck should be long and supple with a finely modeled throatlatch.

Teeth: An even bite is desired.

Body: The body should be well balanced with well-defined, elevated withers, a strong back, long, muscled hip and short loins. The croup should be the same height as the highest point of the wither, neither set too high or too low.

Legs: Straight, true and squarely set with a strong forearm and well developed knee. Cannons not overly long. A good slope to the pasterns, neither upright nor over-sloping. Strong hocks, pointing neither in nor out. Well-shaped hooves pointing straight ahead.

Coat: Fine, glossy hair. All colours, patterns and markings are equally acceptable.

Action: Natural floating action. Light and agile.

MINIATURE & SMALL PONY

General appearance:

The miniature pony should be well proportioned, square and balanced whilst displaying typical pony characteristics. The impression should be of strength and hardiness without coarseness.

Height:

Head & Neck: The head should display a wide forehead, small well-placed ears, large open nostrils, and large expressive eyes with a relatively small muzzle. All eye colours are equally acceptable. A comparatively short distance between the eye and muzzle is desirable. The head should be attached well onto the neck. Mares may have a slight crest and stallions a moderate crest. The neck should be well set and rise of well-laid shoulders.

Teeth: An even bite is desired.

Body: Well balanced with moderate wither, shoulders sloping well back, strong well sprung ribs, deep barrel, powerful loins and broad, well rounded quarters.

Legs: Straight, true and squarely set with well-muscled forearm, short cannons and a good slope to the pasterns, neither upright nor over-sloping. Strong and muscular thighs with broad, strong hocks turning neither in nor out. Well shaped, round hooves pointing straight ahead.

Coat: Thick and woolly in the winter and short and shiny in the summer. All colours, patterns and markings are equally acceptable.

Action: Free and straight not exaggerated or stilted.