Paula M. Wilson - Miniature Horses

(AY-kur) a measurement of area equal to 43,560 square feet (4,047 square meters); an acre is about the size of a football field (uh-FEK-shuh-nit) showing a great liking for someone or something (AN-sess-tur) a distant relative from long ago (BREE-der) a person who raises animals to sell (dih-SEN-dent) a person or animal who comes from a common group of people or animals from the past (duh-MESS-tuh-kate) to tame something so that it can live with or be used by humans (dye-JESS-tiv SISS-tuhm) the body organs that break down food into energy and get rid of waste (FAE-ri-er) a person who takes care of a horses hooves (GELD) to operate on a male animal so it is unable to produce young (GRAYZ) to eat grass that is growing in a field (NUHZ-uhl) to touch or rub with the nose (oh-BEE-sih-tee) to be extremely overweight (vak-sih-NAY-shun) a shot of medicine that protects from a disease (WIN-ee) a gentle, high-pitched sound; the word is often used to describe horse sounds

1. Bratton, Donna Bowman.From Head to Tail: All about Horse Care. Crazy about Horses. North Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press, 2014.
2. Gale, Kendra.The Big Book of Miniature Horses: Everything You Need to Know to Buy, Care for, Train, Show, Breed, and Enjoy a Miniature Horse. North Pomfret, Vt.: Trafalgar Square Books, 2017.
3. Matzke, Anne.Mini Horse. You Have a Pet What?! Vero Beach, Fla.: Rosen Educational Media, 2015.
4. Thatcher, Henry.Clydesdales and Miniature Horses. Big Animals, Small Animals. New York: PowerKids Press, 2014.
5. Wood, Alix.Miniature Horses. Mini Animals. New York: Rosen Publishing, 2017.

Whats the first thing you notice about miniature horses? Maybe its how cute they are! These charming animals look just like full-sized horses, only much smaller. Miniature horses are not only adorable. They are also smart, gentle, and . They are social animals that like being around people. Their friendly nature and small size make them wonderful pets.

A miniature horse can be a great pet for people who might not be ready for a larger horse. Miniature horses can be easier to handle than larger horses. They need less food and do not require as much space. Owning a miniature horse has other rewards. It forms a strong bond with its owner. It becomes a part of the family.

Mini horses are herd animals and often are happiest with other horses.

Miniature horses are popular on social media. Dozens of Facebook groups feature miniature horses for sale. They also show photos of everyday life with this pet. Crunch and Lippy, two miniature horses from Australia, have 232,000 followers on Instagram.

How big is miniature? Miniature horses weigh 150 to 250 pounds (68 to 113 kilograms). To be considered miniature, they cannot be taller than 34 inches (86 centimeters). Their height is measured from the ground to the top of their shoulders where the mane ends. What they lack in size they make up for in beauty. Miniature horses can be a variety of colors. They may be black, brown, chestnut, or gray. Some are more unusual colors called palomino and pinto. Many have speckles or spots.

Palomino horses have a golden shade to their coats.

Horses eyes are set wide apart. This lets them see a wide area at one time. Horses can see almost all the way behind themselves. They also can see very well at night. Horses have very good hearing too. This helps them sense danger. Miniature horses communicate with sounds and body language. They make snorts, , and squeals. A horses ear and eye movements communicate different things, such as danger or fear.