Miniature horses have been developed for centuries by selectively breeding small horses and ponies from a broad swath of horse and pony breeds, including the Shetland pony.
Because miniature horse breeds are bred to resemble their large counterparts, they are almost as plentiful as standard breeds. Just as there are full-size palominos, quarter horses, thoroughbreds, pintos, Arabians and others, there are miniature versions of these breeds.
Although they are mainly kept as pets they have been working animals and continue to be used as such today.
American Miniature Horse A combination of English and Dutch breeds that were brought to the country in the 1800s, the American Miniature is the most popular mini horse in the United States. Their use was in the coal mines as their small stature made it easier for them to get through the tunnels while carting loads of coal behind them. The term miniature horse itself describes a type of animal and there are various individual breeds of miniature horses of which, perhaps the most famous is the Falabella. They originated in Europe in the 1600s and became popular among the nobility for their novel appearance. They also were used for work in mines due to their small size.