AMHA Standards Of Perfection - Oakleigh Miniatures

General Impression

A small, sound, well-balanced horse, possessing the correct conformation and characteristics required of it's large breed counterpart. Refinement and femininity in the mare. Boldness and masculinity in the stallion. The general impression should be one of symmetry, strength, agility and alertness. Since the breed objective is the smallest possible perfect horse, preference in judging shall be given the smaller horse, other characteristics being approximately equal. The Miniature Horse is an exact replica of it's large breed counterpart, being any breed of horse, eg: Arab through to Draft.

Size

Must not measure more than 34 inches at the last hairs of the mane.

Head

In proportion to length of neck and body. Broad forehead with large prominent eyes, set wide apart. Comparatively short distance between eyes and muzzle. Profile straight or slightly concave below the eyes. Large defined nostrils. Clean, refined muzzle. Even bite.

Ears

Medium in size. Pointed. Carried alertly, with tips curving slightly inward.

Throat-Latch

Clean and well defined, allowing ample flexion at the poll.

Neck

Flexible, lengthy, in proportion to body and type and blending smoothly into the withers.

Shoulder

Long, sloping and well-angulated, allowing a free-swinging stride and alert head/neck carriage. Well muscled forearm.

Body

Well muscled, with ample bone and substance. Balanced and well proportioned. Short back and loins in relation to length of underline. Smooth and generally level top-line. Deep girth and flank. Trim barrel.

Hindquarters

Long, well-muscled hip, thigh and gaskin. Highest point of croup to be same height as withers. Tail set neither excessively high or low, but smoothly rounding g off rump.

Legs

Set straight and parallel when viewed from front or back. Straight, true and squarely set, when viewed from the side with hooves pointing directly ahead. Pasterns sloping about 45 degrees and blending smoothly, with no change of angle, from the hooves to the ground. Smooth, fluid gait in motion.

Colour

Any colour or marking patterns, and any eye colour, is equally acceptable. The hair should be lustrous and silky.

Show Disqualifications

Height in excess of 34 inches. Monorchidism/Cryptorchidism in Senior Stallions. Any unsoundness or inheritable deformity. If in doubt, the show Judge may request the opinion of the show Veterinarian. Non-disfiguring blemishes not associated with unsoundness, or injuries which are temporary, should not be penalized unless they impair the general appearance and/or action of the horse.