Miniature Horse Conformation
A miniature horse should have the same correct, well-balanced conformation seen in larger breeds. Mares should be refined and feminine; stallions should be bold and masculine. Since the goal of miniature horse breeding is to obtain the smallest possible conformationally correct horse, preference is given to smaller members of the breed. Miniature horses can be no taller than 34 inches at the withers (8 1/2 hands).
Miniature horses should be well-proportioned, with the head in proportion to the neck and body. The forehead should be broad with large, prominent, widely-spaced eyes. The ears should be medium sized and pointed. The throat latch should be well defined and the neck flexible and lengthy. The body should be smooth and well-muscled, the back should be short and the barrel should be trim. Miniatures should have long, well-muscled hips, and the highest point of the croup should be even with the withers. The tail should smoothly round off the rump. Finally, the legs should be straight and parallel, the hooves should be round and compact, and the gaits should be fluid.
The Miniature Horse Standard of Perfection
General Impression: A small, sound, well-balanced horse possessing the correct conformation characteristics required of most breeds. Refinement and femininity in the mare; boldness and masculinity in the stallion. The general impression should be one of symmetry, strength, agility, and alertness. Since the breed objective is the smallest possible perfect horse, preference in judging shall be given to the smaller horse, other characteristics being approximately equal.
Size: A mature horse must not measure more than 34 inches at the withers, at the last hairs of the mane.
Head: In proportion to the length of the neck and body. Broad forehead with large prominent eyes, set wide apart. Comparatively short distance between eyes and muzzle. Profile straight or slightly concave below the eyes. Large nostrils. Clean, refined muzzle. Even bite.
Ears: Medium in size. Pointed. Carried alertly, with tips curving slightly inward.
Throat Latch: Clean and well defined, allowing ample flexion at the poll.
Neck: Flexible, lengthy, in proportion to body and type and blending smoothly into the withers.
Shoulder: Long, sloping and well-angulated, allowing a free-swinging stride and alert head/neck carriage. Well-muscled forearm.
Body: Well-muscled with ample bone and substance. Balanced and well-proportioned. Short back and loins in relation to length of underline, smooth and generally level top-line. Deep girth and flank. Trim barrel.
Hindquarters: Long, well-muscled hip, thigh, and gaskin. Highest point of croup to be same height as withers. Tail set neither excessively high nor low, but smoothly rounding off rump.
Legs: Set straight and parallel when viewed from front or back. Straight, true and squarely set, when viewed from the side with hooves pointing directly ahead. Pasterns sloping about 45 degrees and blending smoothly with no change in angle from the hooves to the ground. Hooves to be round and compact, trimmed as short as practicable for an unshod horse. Smooth, fluid gait in motion.
Color: Any color or marking pattern and eye color is equally acceptable. The hair should be lustrous and silky.
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