Different Breeds of Miniature Ponies

Miniature ponies come in different breeds, and can be commonly found in North and South America and Europe. For the most part, this miniature version looks just like a regular pony, except for the shorter height of the animal. Many miniature ponies are simply kept as pets or companions, while others are starting to be used as assistance animals for the blind.

  1. Falabella

    • A Falabella is a type of miniature pony that comes from Argentina. Falabellas are thought to be one of the first breeds of miniature ponies in the world. Patrick Newell was responsible for starting the first herd of these ponies in the 1840s. Today, less than 1,500 Falabella's are registered in the world, making them a rare and expensive breed. Normally, a Falabella averages around 28 to 34 inches in height, has a thick coat of hair and has a proportion similar to other ponies.

    Australian Miniature Pony

    • Australian miniature ponies were made by crossing small Shetland ponies and the Falabella miniature ponies. First recognized in 1974, this breed is now found around the world. Most Australian miniature ponies only grow to approximately 34 inches, with a shorter neck than most ponies and a wide back. Australian miniature ponies have a normally calm disposition, but as with all ponies, this depends on how it has been raised and handled. Young stallions sometimes act up more in the spring and summer when it is breeding season.

    Dartmoor Pony

    • Dartmoor ponies have been found in the Dartmoor National Park in England for close to 1,000 years. Most of this breed grows to less than 50 inches tall and are usually black, grey, brown or roan in color. Back in medieval times, Dartmoor ponies were used as a means of carrying items from mines. Today, many still live in the wild in England, but they can also be found across the U.S. and Australia.

    Caspian Pony

    • The Caspian pony is an ancient breed of miniature pony that has been recorded as far back as 3,000 years. Northern Iran is where the Caspian breed first began. Caspian's are known for having big eyes and smaller ears than other breeds. At around 36 to 40 inches high, they are much smaller than an average horse but otherwise look very much like a horse. Today Caspian ponies are still used in Iran for cart ponies, just as they were many years ago.