
Photo: Fernando Losada Rodriguez/Wikimedia Commons
What makes Falabella’s so interesting is that, despite their size, they are not classified as ponies, but as miniature horses. That’s because, aside from their size, they are similar to horse breeds like Thoroughbreds or Arabs in terms of proportions, as well as their slim frame and sleek coats. According to Falabella International, “Falabella miniature horses are true horses and not ponies, meaning that even the tiniest examples of the breed retain the structure and proportions of a full-size horse. Beyond their minute size, the Falabellas show conditions of docility, strength and capacity to adapt higher than any other kind of similar horses and even than many of their bigger relatives. Strength tests made on them show them to be extremely strong–similar to draft and saddle horses of greater size.”
Falabellas are known to be very friendly, extremely gentle and very intelligent, which makes them great pets, as well as performance animals, as they can be easily trained to pull small loads and perform tricks. They also have am an exceptionally long life span: 40-45 years. Breeders in Argentina continue programs to bring the size of Falabellas even lower, and they have been able to produce adult specimens that stand at less than 50 cm in height (at the withers). However, it’s not all about the size! The health of the breed is paramount, and in order to obtain certain important characteristics, the height of the specimens currently needs to be over 70cm.
Although their size makes the purpose of the Falabella mostly decorative, this miniature horse has several remarkable qualities. Having lived in Argentina’s vast plains (pampas) for hundreds of years, the Falabella is extremely resilient and quickly adapts to a variety of harsh climates. Its sharp instincts also allow it to sense danger from a fair distance. Because of their rustic heritage and their resistance, Falabella horses do not require any special care or feed.
For more unusual horse breeds, check out the Bashkir Curly, the so-called Labradoodles of horses, and the extremely resilient Yakutian horses of Siberia.