Miniature horses are very friendly and are good at a lot of different things. In the past, they were used to work in coal mines because they were sturdy and could fit into the tunnels used by miners. Today, some people keep them primarily as pets, while others teach them to pull carts and wagons. They also make good show horses and compete in halter classes and in-hand (not riding) jumping, obstacle and trail courses, showmanship and more.

Was there a time when you were a bit afraid of a big horse? Miniature horses are also loving and sweet and perfect for small children who want to spend time with a horse just their size.

All horses like to have jobs where they feel connected to and respected by the people they partner with. In The Smallest Horse, Trixie worries that she doesn’t have an important job like the bigger horses. She learns that because of her size, she’s especially good at making people feel better. This slideshow highlights just a few of the reasons that miniature horses make such great therapy horses.

The therapy horses shown on this page are part of Mini Angel Eyes, a non-profit organization located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Raleigh, Bow and Belle were rescued from situations where they were not being cared for properly. Mini Angel Eyes brings rescued horses back to health, teams them up with humans that love them, and teaches them do the important job of being a therapy horse. They visit schools, veterans, hospitals, homeless shelters, senior centers and more! Please visit their website www.miniangeleyes.net to learn more about the healing work that takes place because of their miniature horses. You can also find them on their facebook page. If you are able, please make a donation to help support the work they are doing.

How much do miniature horses weigh?
Miniature Horses weigh about 25 pounds when they’re born and between 225 and 350 pounds when they’re fully grown.

Can you ride a miniature horse?
How much do you weigh? If you weigh more that 70lbs then you should ride a pony or a horse as they are stronger and able to carry more weight than miniature horses.

What’s the difference between a miniature horse and a pony?
Although miniature horses are generally smaller than ponies, they have more in common with horses. Pony breeds (like Valentine who is a Welsh pony) often have broader backs, larger heads, and shorter legs for their size when compared to horses or miniature horses.

Trixie is actually half miniature horse and half pony, so she has features of both.