Page 53 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

for a free swinging stride and alert head/neck
carriage.
Body: The body is compact with a short back, close
coupling, broad loins, deep flank and well sprung
ribs. The back has a long, level, well muscled croup
and is smoothly rounding at the hip. The tail is well
set. The underline of the body should be long but
not tucked up at the flank. At maturity, the top of the
hip must not be higher than the withers. The chest is
medium width with defined muscular development.
Legs: The legs appear longer than the body is
deep. They possess flat bone, and an appearance
of over-all substance with refinement. Legs are
structurally straight and parallel when viewed
from the front and back with hooves pointing
directly ahead. The pasterns have sufficient length
and angulations to provide a light, springy step.
The front legs possess a well muscled forearm,
relatively long in proportion to a short cannon.
Front pasterns slope 45 to 48 degrees and
blend smoothly with no change of angle from
the hooves to the ground. The rear leg structure
must demonstrate good angulations and proper
flexion of the hocks for athletic movement; have
the stifle placed well forward and low in the flank
area with thighs and gaskins well muscled. The
gaskin is relatively long in relation to the cannon.
The rear cannons are perpendicular to the ground
when points of hocks and buttocks are in the same
vertical lines. Back pasterns slope 40 to 50 degrees
and blend smoothly with no change of angle from
the hooves to the ground. The hooves are trimmed
to a practical length and have sufficient toe length
and angle with spread of the heels for the size and Who would be the best horse/s
proportions of the animal. you have judged or are there any
Movement: The walk is a natural free flowing, the Miniture horse which you have
four beat gait with length of stride proportional judged?
to the height and length of leg. The trot is a
natural forward, free flowing two beat diagonal There is no best horse I have Judged
gait where the knee and hock are synchronized in in differnt countries you will find
their elevated, flexed and extension movement. what you personally like or would
When viewed at a walk and trot from the front, class as near to the Standards
the horse will replicate the structural correctness of Perfection on the day. Every
of its stance. The American Miniature Horses' breeder strives to breeding want
conformation allows them to trot willingly and they believe is the standard.
freely at liberty or pulling a pleasure cart.
Juvenile Considerations: The body of the junior
horse demonstrates stretch and frame to be filled On behalf of The Miniature Horse
in with muscling appropriate for its age. A mature Magazine we'd like to thank you for this
adult look is not desirable. wonderful interview.

Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023 | 53