FIVE FUN FACTS OF MY FAVORITE HORSE BREEDS ~ FALABELLA

Hi Horse Pals, 

So, this week's breed tied in perfectly with our friends' Steve and Tamara's visit to South America.

Here are some fun facts about the Falabella:

FALABELLA

Fact #1:  The little Falabella is named after the family who created it near Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the early 1900s.  They crossed tiny Shetland ponies with a small Thoroughbred and kept breeding using the smallest ponies produced, creating the smallest breed of horse in the world..

Fact #2:  Although its size suggests it is a pony, its proportions make it closer to a miniature horse, standing around 7 to 8.2 hands.  

Fact #3  Falabella foals stand only around 4 hands (that's only 16 inches!) and the mom is pregnant for 13 months, two months longer than other horses and ponies!  

Fact #4:  Most Falabellas are considered intelligent and easily trainable. Due to their size, Falabella horses can only be ridden by very small children, and thus are generally shown in-hand at horse shows. They can be taught to drive, and cart driving is a favorite pastime of Falabella owners. They also are able to jump obstacles up to three feet, though only in-hand, without a rider.

Fact #5:   Falabella's most common colors are bay and black, but there are also pintos, palominos and other spotting patterns found.

I hope you love this little horse as much as I do!  Here is a clue for next week's breed...

this breed is often featured in movies!

Good luck!

Your Horse Pal,

@raya

Comments

[Jody Marks]

Awwwwwwwwwww! I want one! :( But my mom says no. Cute though! :)♥

[*Liz*]

The thoroughbred? Falabella's are so cute and tiny!!!

[Samantha]

I had fun learning about the Falabella.
My guess is the Saddlebred because I think it's Mr. Ed the Talking Horse!

[Araya]

Hi Cayce ~
Thanks for the recommendations. I've added the movie and book to my store (Araya's store - see the black and white photo in the left side column) for anyone interested.
Seeing the Lipizzans must have been amazing! We've had a few Lipizzans at our barn and they were once my favorite breed. I would definitely love to see them if they came to California.
I'll kiss Dandy and my pups for you! Have a great week,
Your Horse Pal,
@raya

[Cayce]

I have a movie recommendation for you. It's called "The Miracle of The White Stallions". Mom bought me the movie for my Birthday along with "Paint The Wind" by Pam Munzo Ryan, "Matilda", and a Video Camera. I highly recommend "Paint The Wind" for you. Mom was originally going to buy me "Paint The Wind" for Valentine's Day, but the book came early. "Paint The Wind" is about a little girl named Maya and a wild Paint named Artemisia. She lives with her wealthy grandmother in California. Mom bought "The Miracle of The White Stallions" when we went to see The Spanish Lipizzans on 1/17/09. Seeing The Lipizzans was so cool. I wanted to pet them. If The Lipizzaners are ever in California ya'll should go see them. It's an experience ya'll will never forget. Until last month Mom and I had never heard of The Lipizzan Stallions. I heard about them at my riding lesson. Please give Dandi and all of your other pets a kiss for me. Have a good week. Hugs, Cayce

[Chantelle & Nakia]

these are so cute. we wish we could have one in our backyard! how heavy is a small child?

[Cayce]

The Falabella is so cute. Is the next breed The Lippizans?