History and Origin of the Breed

The Falabella pony is a small horse bred from Shetland ponies. It was originally bred in Argentina by a man named Julio C. Falabella. The tallest horse in the world is 19 hands tall, so 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.

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. 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 51cm high and weighed approximately 30 pounds.

Characteristics

Height - Average heights are between 28in and 35in a young horse (2-3 year old). For mature horses, 30in to 36in is the average height.

Color - Most common colours are brown or black, but there are also pintos, bay and chestnut. There is no Appaloosa colouring in the breed. Black or red spotted Falabellas are uncommon, but can be found in herds (they are often improperly called Appaloosas when they are coloured this way).

Head - The Falabella's head is small, fine, and in proportionate size to the body.

Body - The Falabella's body is small and compact. They have two fewer ribs and vertebrae than normal horses or ponies. 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 most horses and ponies do.

Limbs- The hooves are often 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.

Purpose
The smallest of children can only ride Falabellas. With their amenable and affectionate natures, they are easily trained, enjoying the attention afforded by regular handling. Carting is a good past-time for Falabella owners. With good turn of pace, and keen intelligence, the Falabella gives all the enjoyment of a larger horse, without the associated costs, transporting and land requirements. Horse lovers without the necessary acres of pasture, can still enjoy the pleasure of owning a horse.

Foot Care
The Falabella horse does not usually wear shoes. Feet should be trimmed, however, every 6-8 weeks, ensuring both the health of the horn and correct alignment of the leg.

Worming
The length of time between worming should be ideally 6-10 weeks. If worms are present, worming of 6-week intervals is advised. Rotation of worming solutions is important to reduce the risks of the parasites developing resistance. Avoidance of infestation reduces the horse?s risk of colic.

Grooming
The Falabella miniature horse thrives on attention, and handling. It is advised that they should be groomed daily. This not only maintains the coat, mane, tail, and feet in good condition, but also ensures enough time is spent with the horses.

Nutrition & Accommodation
Little difference is found in the care of the Falabella, to that of an average horse. Due to their size, it is crucial to feed the right amount of food to reduce the chance of obesity. A mixture of non-heating feeds is a good combination. Depending upon the amount of grazing and hay available, half a cup may be sufficient. As far as stabling is concerned, a normal loose box is sufficient to house three Falabellas in adequate comfort. Specially designed looseboxes are approximately 6ft x 6ft. Access to stabling is recommended, with daylight grazing for exercise and diversion. The Falabella thrives with lots of love and attention. Treated well, the Falabella will prove an invaluable friend for life. Like all friends, they souldn't be taken for granted.