Einstein Horse – The Smallest Horse In The World!

September 4, 2020
For Horses

When we hear the name Einstein, a distinct image pops into our head: frizzy white hair, the equation E = mc², and maybe a tongue out, too.

But, in the equine world, the name Einstein carries a much different connotation.

A much…smaller one!

Who is Einstein the Miniature Horse?

Einstein is the world’s smallest stallion. Born on April 22, 2010, he weighed six pounds and stood fourteen inches off the ground. That’s a heck of a lot lighter than most newborn thoroughbred horses who, typically, weigh in at 150 pounds to 200 pounds!

Einstein’s parents are two other champion miniature horses. His mother stood a grand 32-inches tall while dad measured 30-inches in height.

At birth, his co-owner Rachel Wagner was amazed at the lack of malformed features that seemed to plague other tiny horses. “This little guy is like any other horse — he’s almost all legs. He is a very perfect looking little boy and not dwarf looking at all,” Wagner added. So he was born a perfect specimen…only…smaller…much smaller!

Shortly after his birth, the world was astonished by photos and images of his tiny and, frankly, adorable stature. People from all over the world flocked to his hometown of Barnstead, New Hampshire to get up-close-and-personal with this bite-sized stallion.

Is Einstein the Mini Horse Healthy?

Although health issues often plague horses with dwarfism, Einstein has remained relatively healthy throughout the course of his life.

The only major medical event of Einstein’s life occurred when he suffered a spinal cord injury at just two months old. Einstein then set another world-record on the date of his surgery.  He was the only horse ever to be operated on by a canine neurosurgeon. Due to Einstein’s size, or, lack of,  the equine surgeon originally tapped for the job couldn’t perform the operation.

Surgery lasted eight long hours resulting in Einstein’s spine being held together by just five screws and seven pins. He was standing by the next day.  Just two months later he was prancing across stage at the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago . Years later, if you saw him running, you would never guess that he underwent major spinal surgery

Where is Einstein the Mini Horse Today?

Some brief time after his birth, Einstein moved from New Hampshire to Bellingham, Washington where he lives with his owners, Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner, MD.

What’s the Difference Between a Mini Horse and a Pony?

miniature horse

Mini horses have a long neck and a small head. Ponies are shorter, stockier, and furrier.

Although Einstein is small like a pony it’s important to note that he is not a pony.  Indeed, ponies and miniature horses are quite different types of animals.

Mini horses are the product of  breeding specific, small horse breeds over time. Ponies, on the other hand, are short in stature and bulky build as a product of evolution.  Many thrive in harsh climates.

To tell the difference between the two note that mini horses have a long neck, a small head, and a not-overly-thick mane, tail, and coat. In contrast, ponies are shorter, stockier, and furrier. They frequently have a thick, short neck and stubby, short legs.

Why Do People Breed Mini Horses?

This question is asked a lot, and it makes sense: what DO you DO with a mini horse exactly?

The answer: a Whole Lot!

Since first bred in the 1600s, miniature horses are used for a variety of functions.  These include competing in shows, assisting laborers, and offering companionship – all the things their larger brethren can do!

Today, miniature horses have found a new and expanded career.  They excel in providing comfort, care, and assistance to children, the terminally ill, the elderly, the blind, and those with mental health issues.

However, while they often work and interact indoors, it’s important to remember that miniature horses are still horses. Consequently, they have the best chance of living a healthy, happy life by being raised outside.

What are the Risks of Breeding Mini Horses?

smallest horse

There are risks factors to consider if thinking about breeding mini horses.

It’s important to note that there are a variety of potential health and musculoskeletal problems are associated with breeding miniature horses.  Not to mention that it’s a venture that requires careful monitoring, diligence and care-taking by their owner.

To begin with, dwarfism can be an unfortunate result of breeding even when neither of the parents are dwarfs themselves. More to the point is that dwarfism tends to result in more dramatic and life-altering issues in miniature horses. A dwarf mini can have any combination of limb, spine, and jaw deformities that can cause discomfort or outright pain.

While the best practices for keeping a miniature horse happy and healthy are largely the same as they are for larger breeds, miniature horses are uniquely susceptible to certain, specific health issues.

What are the most common health issues for Miniature Horses?

To begin with, Miniature horses often struggle with obesity due to overfeeding and a lack of exercise. Ideally, miniature horses should consume approximately 1.5% of their body weight in hay daily. Vitamin and mineral requirements are also similar to large breeds on a per weight basis.

Secondly, Miniature horses also tend to suffer from worse dental hygiene than large breed horses due to teeth overcrowding, overbites, and under-bites. Such dental issues lead to a reduction in a miniature horse’s ability to properly chew and grind feed.  This undeniably leaves them more prone to developing colic.

To combat the cascading negative health consequences of unchecked poor dental hygiene, UC Davis veterinarians recommend the following. It’s suggested that newborn foals have their first oral exam shortly after birth.  Identifying dental abnormalities early leads to a much better outcome for our diminutive equines

Finally, miniature horses are at a much greater risk than larger breeds for developing hyperlipidemia. This is a disorder in your mini horse’s lipid metabolism where fat is released from lipid stores.  It’s then transported to the liver where it’s broken down and converted into fatty acids. These fatty acids are then taken up through the liver and converted in triglycerides that enter the bloodstream. The horse’s system thereupon develops “fatty” blood.  This type of blood tends to overwhelm the liver and other organs, resulting in liver failure and subsequent rupture.

Symptoms of hyperlipidemia are generally a noticeable, stark decline in appetite coupled with lethargy and weakness.  Shortly thereafter, the disease progresses to serious symptoms such as tremors, seizure, head pressing, and death. Any mini horse that has been off feed more than 24 hours should be evaluated for hyperlipidemia.  Equally, a speedy response is of paramount importance for a positive outcome.

Banixx Horse Blog

We hope you found this article intriguing. We certainly did!  If your horse gets any wounds, scratches or white line disease, we hope you’ll check out Banixx Horse & Pet Care.  On the other hand, if you’ve ever wondered about odd topics such as, Can I feed grass clippings to my horse? Or, are you curious about the use of Acupuncture in Horses or want information about Wolf Teeth…yes, you guessed, we cover that too!!

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