Miniature Horses Falabella: Description, Behavior and Care

Falabellas are miniature horses, but they are indeed horses, not ponies, and typically have an average height of 24 to 28 inches (60 to 70 cm). Although their exact origins are debated, Falabellas most likely originate from Argentina. Today’s Falabella is considered friendly, gentle, affectionate, and loyal. They come in various colors and can be used for riding and dressage. They are considered a breed with good health potential that does not require overly whimsical care conditions and has a lifespan of up to 45 years.

Breed Overview and Origin

The breed descends from Andalusian and other Iberian breeds brought to Argentina by the Spanish in the 19th century. In the late 19th century, breeder Patrick Newtall, using Criollo stock, began breeding a new small breed that had the proportions of larger horses but was much smaller. Through significant inbreeding, Newtall achieved his goal, and when he died, the secrets of the breeding program were passed on to his son-in-law, Juan Falabella. In his breeding, he added new breeds, such as Shetland ponies and some other smaller horses, and he managed to further reduce the size of the new breed. This breed was named Falabella in honor of Juan Falabella.

The breed registry was created in the 1940s. Initially, to be considered a Falabella, the horse’s height had to be less than 39 inches (99 cm), but the modern breed averages 30 inches (75 cm).

Today, the breed is kept for shows or as a pet, but it can be ridden by small children, and it can even pull a small cart. As of today, the breed is rare and at risk of extinction.

Typical Behavior and Temperament

The Falabella is gentle and obedient, and it can become a loving and loyal pet. It is this temperament, combined with the miniature size of the breed, that has made it popular with children. They can be led and even ridden, and they do not become aggressive or angry from this.

Appearance, Exterior

The Falabella is one of the smallest breeds of horses in the world. They are muscular and strong animals, especially for a breed of this size, and they generally have the same proportions as larger horses. They have silky hair and thin skin, small legs, and they can be almost any color.

The breed is most often found in solid colors. However, they sometimes also come with spotted patterns. The rarest include black or red leopard spotted Falabellas.

How to Care for Falabellas

Like all horses, the Falabella needs physical activity, food, and access to fresh water. They also need space for grazing, and they enjoy contact with people. Although the exact area of territory and other factors may vary, use the guideline below:

Pasture

The amount of pasture you need to provide for your little horse depends on whether it will be stabled at night or not. If not, you should provide about half a hectare of pasture. If it spends the night in the stable, 20 acres (0.2 ha) will be enough, but another Falabella will need the same additional area.

The pasture should be grassy. It needs to be regularly cleaned of fluff or harrowed, and it must be securely fenced. All pastures should have a supply of fresh drinking water.

Stable

Regardless of whether you are going to keep the horse in the stable at night or not, you need to provide at least a three-sided cover. It will protect from wind and rain, as well as from the sun. The shelter can be a small shed.

Some owners are known to use tents because they are easy to move, and they are easy to put back when your horse decides to knock them over.

Do Falabellas get along with other pets?

The Falabella is an intelligent breed, which means that it can be 1 successfully trained. It is also a friendly and calm animal, so it can be kept with other animals. This breed is often kept with larger horses, but it also gets along with dogs, cats, and farm animals.

Keeping a Falabella as a pet requires extra effort, and you should always remember that, despite the fact that this animal is miniature, the Falabella is a strong horse.

What to Feed a Falabella

The breed is pasture-based and should be given access to natural grasses and grains in the pasture. Otherwise, you will have to provide quality hay, which should usually make up about 80% of the diet or even more.

You can add some grains and vitamin supplements to provide the vitamins and minerals that your Falabella does not get from its diet. Provide at least two full bales of hay per horse per day. Always check that the Falabella regularly receives fresh water.

Health

The Falabella is a hardy animal, but it can be prone to colic. Colic is more common in this breed than in others, and in severe cases, it can even lead to death. To prevent colic, give only clean water, provide feeding in pastures, and avoid feeding hay from sandy soils, feed them only grain and specialized feed when necessary.

Breeding

A mare usually becomes pregnant at about 3 years of age, but some mares may take a year longer. Once spring temperatures rise, it is time for breeding. The gestation period is about 300 days, although you may have to wait up to 380 days.

The Falabella is a gentle, caring, and loyal breed that is a smart pet, as well as a good riding horse for small children. Provide it with fresh water and proper nutrition, and your mini-horse will spend unforgettable years with you!