the australian miniature pony - horses and people · the australian miniature pony promotes and...

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By the Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc.

australianMiniature pony

Photo courtesy Jeanette Vetter, Ambaura Park.

www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • 1Page 20 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]

This year, the Australian Miniature Pony Society is celebrating 40 years. Since forming in 1974, interest in the Australian Miniature Pony has spread rapidly to all Australian states, with quality breeding stock being in great demand. The Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc., formed in July 1974 in Liverpool, New South

Wales, was the result of an inaugural meeting attended by a number of people intent on creating and promoting this unique new Australian pony breed. From this and many subsequent meetings, the Australian Miniature Pony breed was registered in its own right and our society was formed. The first entry into the stud book was View Banks Orange (AM1F) in the Adult Stallion Registry on 11th October, 1974.

breeding the miniature ponyThe uniquely Australian Miniature Pony was developed here, established after decades of breeding crosses of selective small Australian and Welsh Mountain ponies with Shetland and Fallabellas (an established breed of miniature horse that originated in Argentina in the 1940’s), which were used as height reducers. Some lines of Miniature Ponies can be traced back as early as the 1900’s. Miniature Ponies can vary in type from the fine boned and leggy to the more compact, heavy type. Decades of dedicated breeding - refining height and conformation - has achieved the breed as it is seen today. Temperament is most important in such a small pony and we are more than pleased with the reputation these ponies have earned.

traits of the miniature ponyMiniature Ponies are inquisitive, intelligent, and have a gentle and affectionate nature. Despite their diminutive stature, they require the same clear and kind training as any other horse. They make wonderful companions for people of all ages and are ideal for those who may not be able to cope with a big horse. Many owners will purchase a Miniature to care for and perhaps also drive in harness, which is a great way to give the ponies plenty of exercise. The Miniature Pony is more than able to pull, without undue strain, a large adult or two small adults in an appropriately-sized, lightweight carriage. In Australia, Miniature Ponies compete in harness classes at agricultural shows and driving club days, which cater for driven dressage and cross country.

Miniatures are also ideal as a child’s first pony to learn to ride and are small enough for them to handle and groom. Small children enjoy many hours of riding and caring for their loved ponies, and most shows offer classes for children six years and under.

Visiting a hospital or elderly citizens is also a joy in itself to see the amazement on their faces when sighting the pony. Miniature Ponies are shown in hand, in harness and at novelty events, such as trail and fancy dress.

Photo courtesy Stacie Robinson.

“The Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc. is the longest running society for the Australian Miniature Pony breed and this month is celebrating 40 years of service to a growing number of members with more than 1,200 Australia-wide.

Photo courtesy LeeAnne Hall.

Twin AcresMiniature Pony Stud

Breeding coloured Miniatures of quality for over 30 years

Ponies of various ages for sale. (males, females, geldings) Prices starting at $350

Annette Currie

Ph: 03 5334 7541 or M: 0412 664 [email protected]

www.currietwinacres.webs.com

www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 23Page 22 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]

standard of excellenceThe Australian Miniature Pony is a well-proportioned pony, possessing good temperament, not exceeding 87 centimetres for AMPS® Registered Ponies (or 91.5cm for Appendix Registered Ponies) and free of hereditary unsoundness, exhibiting no vices. The Miniature Pony should be robust enough to pull an adult in a small vehicle and should also possess the characteristics recognised of a typical pony in miniature.

Ears are small to medium size. The head is comparatively small, well in proportion to the rest of the body, profile is straight or slightly concave below the eyes, with a comparatively small muzzle, round expressive eyes set well apart, and a comparatively short distance between eye and muzzle.

The teeth should meet evenly, with no more than 3 mm variation acceptable. The neck is lightly crested on mares and moderately crested on stallions. The length of the neck is also proportional to the rest of the body. The Miniature Pony’s body should have well sprung ribs, a generous girth, a slight natural curve in the back and a strong, well-rounded rump. The whole body presents a picture of balance and should be in proportion to the pony’s height.

Legs are to be straight, true and squarely set, with straight, sound flat bone, strong forearms, short cannon bones and strong, sloping pasterns. The action of the Miniature Pony is smooth, showing free flexion of the joints without exaggeration. The Miniature Pony is accepted in the Stud Book in all colours - with a multitude of beautiful colour varieties within the breed.

Show preparation of the Miniature Pony is at the discretion of the owner or exhibitor. The ideal presentation for a Miniature Pony is in Summer coat. However, ponies which are either clipped or in heavy Winter coat are not debarred from showing.

responsible breedingThe Australian Miniature Pony promotes and encourages responsible breeding to ensure the long-term health and wellbeing of all ponies bred. As with any other breed of horse and pony, there are some health conditions that the Miniature Pony Society would like to minimise and eradicate from the genetic pool. Under showing rules, the following conditions of the Miniature Pony may result in disqualification from competition:

• Dwarfism,• Overshot jaw (‘parrot mount’) or undershot jaw (‘monkey

mouth’) in excess of 3mm,



Willow Springs Moon Dust, owned by Vickie & Melanie Mantel.

Breeder of Champion Led and Harness Ponies

WILLOW SPRINGS MINIATURE PONIES

Jill WatkinsT: 03 56 253 532 or E: [email protected]

http://users.tpg.au/wsmini

Some stock will be available for sale soonFor all enquiries, contact

Wendy Chirgwin & Maree StringerA/H Ph: 03 5282 3744 or Mob: 0448 898 751

[email protected]

AP MINI BROWBANDS

Ph: 0414 973 895 orEmail: [email protected]


While Miniature Ponies may seem ideal for simply keeping the grass down on small acreages, their nutritional needs are only different to larger horses in the amount required and, under normal circumstances, a pair of ponies will need access to at least three acres of managed pasture. If you need to stable or yard your Miniature Pony (to manage his weight, for example), remember that, just as any horse or pony, they require daily exercise, access to suitable forage and should not be kept isolated from other horses for extended periods of time.

It is important that you check your local council regulations as to what they require when keeping a pony. Most councils now have stringent regulations regarding the keeping of any equine. This is in relation to the size of the property.

showing the miniature ponyEach Australian State has a state delegate who arranges promotional groups to run group shows. In addition, most agricultural shows have classes in their programs for Miniature Ponies, such as separate in-hand classes for stallions, mares and geldings, plus colour classes, progeny classes and Miniatures in harness.

When showing the Miniature Pony, the handler is required to be dressed neatly and wear suitable footwear. The pony should be cleaned, groomed and trimmed for showing. Show ponies may require extra care, exercise and training, such as lungeing, driving if in harness and walking on a lead, which provides good exercise for both pony and handler! Studs invest a lot of time into both the appearance of the handler and their pony as we are aware that each time we enter the show ring, we are showcasing our stud, our breed and our society.

• Monorchidism or cryptorchidism in stallions,• Locked patella (‘locked stifle’)• Congenital cataract,• Nasal disease, and• Malformation of the genitals.

caring for the miniature ponyA Miniature Pony is no different, they require the same care and attention as any other horse or pony breed. The only substantial difference in managing the Miniature Pony is the amount of feed they require, which is notably less, and cheaper, than their larger relations.

Miniature Ponies are not suitable as backyard pets and, being very social animals, they should not be kept in isolation. A Miniature Pony still requires continuous access to forage, equine friends and freedom to self-exercise. Australian Miniature Ponies make wonderful companions to other horses and assimilate well into a herd environment.

“Miniature Ponies are inquisitive, intelligent, and have a gentle and affectionate nature.


Ambaura Tiara.Photo courtesy Tracey Bavinton.

Bold As Brass Playboy, Photo courtesy Freeze Photography.

Photo courtesy Willow Springs.


Miniature PoniesBreeders of past, present and future champions.

Young Stock availableContact Tracy Collett & Mandy Chandley

0402 152 836 or 0417 012 413Teesdale, Victoria

SUPREME PRODUCTS

www.toptac.com.au Supreme Products Australia

LL

AUSTRALIAN MINIATUREPONY SOCIETY INC - ESTABLISHED 1974

Australia’s longest established, exclusive Miniature Pony Registry, with an Appendix section.

www.australianminiaturepony.com.au

celebrating our societyThe Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc. is the longest running society for the Australian Miniature Pony breed and this month is celebrating 40 years of service to a growing number of members with more than 1,200 Australia-wide. A delegate is available to represent members in each state.

All adult registered ponies and appendix registered ponies are included in the stud book as long as they meet our Standard of Excellence. To date, there are over 10,000 registered ponies. Volumes 1 to 4 of the Stud Book are available for purchase from the Society, and Volume 5 will soon be available in print as well.

There are a number of other registries for Miniature Ponies that are not related to the Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc.

If you would like further information on the Australian Miniature Pony Society Inc. please contact our National Secretary Maree Stringer after business hours on (03) 5282 3744 or visit our websites.

National - www.australianminiaturepony.com.au

Buy & Sell - [email protected]

South Australia - www.saminipony.webs.com

Victoria - www.victorianminipony.webs.com

New South Wales - www.nswminiaturepony.com.au

Queensland - www.qldminipony.webs.com

Livestock & Business Centre Limited - www.lbcentre.com.au

Photo courtesy Small Talk Magazine.

Ambaura ParkStriving to breed the perfect Miniature pony!

Great conformation, good temperament, with natural extension and movement. All stock registered AMPS & APSB.

Contact Jeannette on 02 4987 2234www.ambaura.com

Deltree Photography

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