Pony Breeding and Equine dwarfism

Some USA miniature horse breeders claim that the high incidence of miniature horse dwarfism, abortions and dystocia and the inevitable result of breeding exclusively for small size.

Read about USA miniature horse size issue and foaling

However, it appears that some foreign pony breeding programs do not have the same problems as USA breeders.  Many of the miniature ponies and Miniature Toy Horses in the UK are well-within the height requirements of the USA Miniature Horse Registries such as the American Miniature Horse Registry and at one time held the Guinness world record for the world's smallest horse.

Some miniature pony breeders claim that dwarfism, dystocia and abortions are as low as large-breed horses.  According to the owner and breeder at the Miniature Pony Centre, dwarfism is unknown in his breeding program.

When compared to USA Miniature horses, the Dartmoor pony is quite different.  While similar in height, and bodies of a Dartmoor pony are long and the legs fat and sturdy. 

Unlike some USA miniature horse breeders who deliberately introduced dwarfism to the USA, some overseas Miniature Pony breeders say that they are not compelled to breed exclusively for small size, and they value utility over conformation.

USA Miniature Horse is a non-profit web site dedicated to collecting useful information about miniature horses in the United States.