Falabella Pony
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Falabella pony is a small horse bred from Shetland ponies and extremely small Thoroughbreds. It was originally bred in Argentina by a man named Julio C. Falabella. These small horses can get up to a height of 8 hands (32 in) tall. Compared to the tallest horse in the world, which was 19 hands tall, these horses are very small. The Falabella is the smallest horse although types of horses, usually based on the Shetland, are widely found throughout the world especially in the US.
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[edit] History
The Falabella is a well proportioned pony that resembles the Thoroughbred and the Arab. The miniature horse has a sleek coat and a slim frame. The Falabella came from a selective breeding policy which was used to create this horse by a man named Julio C. Falabella at his ranch in Argentina. To create these unusually small horses he crossed the smallest Shetland pony he could find with a very small thoroughbred stallion. He then down bred by breeding the smallest animals with each other until the Falabella came about. The smallest miniature ever bred was a mare named Sugar Dumpling bred and owned by Smith McCoy of Roderfield, West Virginia. The horse was only 20 in (51 cm) high and weighed about 30 pounds!
[edit] Characteristics
Height: Average heights are between 28 in and 31 in a young horse (2-3 year old). For mature horses, 30 in to 32.5 in is the average height.
Color: Brown or black are the most common colors, but there are also pintos, bay and chestnut. There is no Appaloosa coloring in the breed. Black or red spotted Falabellas are uncommon, but can be found in Falabella herds (They are often improperly called Appaloosas when they are colored this way).
Head: The Falabella’s head is small, fine, and should be proportionate in size to the small body.
Body: The Falabella’s body is small and compact. They have two fewer ribs and vertebrae than normal horses or ponies. But, the breed has very thick mane and tail hair.
Coat: The coat of the Falabella is long and silky but doesn’t have the thick and warm undercoat like most horses and ponies do.
Limbs: The legs and feet of the Falabella aren’t the best feature. The hooves are often a bit boxy-looking. The legs lack bone and the front legs are sometimes bowed. The hocks are usually weak.
Temperament: This breed is known for its friendliness and intelligence.
[edit] Purpose
The Falabella horses can only be ridden by very small and light children. They are easily trained and will enjoy the attention deserved.
The Falabella can enjoy everything the larger horse can without the extra costs. Horse lovers that don’t have the necessary land for owning a horse can still have the pleasure of owning one without the needed space.
Carting is a favorite pastime of for Falabella owners. These small horses are exceptionally well at jumping for their small size.
[edit] Cost
A pedigree Falabella costs about $3,000- $5,000, depending on height, gender, and conformation.
[edit] Extra Information
• The characteristics of the Falabella are its temperament and its ability to adjust to its environment.
• If the horse is in frequent company, it will be a gentle and peaceful animal.
• The Falabella, despite its size, is not a pony, but a miniature horse.
• The Falabella is the smallest breed of horse in the world.
• The Falabella foals are very tiny, standing at 16 to 17 inches tall at the withers, but they grow quickly within the first year.
[edit] External links
• The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (book)
