Posts tagged "MiniatureHorse"

Tiny Horse Gets Big Reaction -- And Maybe A World Record

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Apr 27th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Pets News, Farm Animals

miniature horse picture Jim Cole, AP

This miniature horse is just one week old and is already in the running to be the world's smallest horse. Einstein was born April 22, weighing only six pounds and standing at just 14 inches, reports Tonic. That's seven inches and 12 pounds smaller than the average, according to the Concord Monitor.

The wee little foal was born in New Hampshire, at Tiz A Miniature Horse Farm and while breeder Judy Smith knew Einstein was tiny, she was surprised to learn that he has a shot at a Guinness World Record. (The current record holder is a chestnut mare named Thumbelina, who was 11 inches tall and 8.5 pounds when she was born in 2001.)

Despite his eensy-weensy stature, Einstein appears perfectly normal and healthy. He was born three days after his due date, and, according to the Concord Monitor, is perfectly proportioned.

The folks who bought and named Einstein -- Rachel Wagner and Charles Cantrell -- did so in part to keep the petite pinto out of "some kind of circus thing," reports the Concord Monitor. They're focused on the animal's quality of life, and hope that by naming him Einstein, they can put a spotlight on the wisdom of supporting farms, such as Tiz, where the goal is a healthy horse and not on breeding the tiniest pet possible.

NOLA Dog Reunion; Cats on Campus

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Feb 19th 2010 6:00PM Filed Under: Chew on This

Rounding up our favorite photos, entertaining videos and compelling animal stories from the Web this week!

Jazzy Reunion

A man lost his dog, went 1200 miles to New Orleans, and discovered that his pooch was already there. The dog's excuse? Mardi Gras! [via NOLA.com]
Mini-Horse Diaries

"What do you mean other horses don't get to sleep on the sofa?" [via People Pets]
Felinvasion!

Feral cats have taken over Penn State's campus -- soon they'll be auditing classes. [via Collegian.PSU.edu]
Happy New Year Tiger?

The New York Times' take on the Year of the Tiger. Spoiler alert: It's grim for tigers. [via New York Times]
Rye Ruv Roo

Videos of five pets saying "I love you," Were they just too cheap to buy Valentine's cards? [via People Pets]

Koda the Dwarf Miniature Horse

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Oct 8th 2009 9:00AM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Photo Galleries

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Koda the Dwarf Miniature Horse

Nope, that's not a stuffed toy you're looking at. Koda the miniature horse was the size of a cat when he was born a year ago near Melbourne, Australia, reports Australia's ABC News Online. Today the pint-sized horse stands 23.2 inches tall, and weighs a mere 77 pounds.

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Koda the Dwarf Miniature Horse

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Miniature horses are usually the size of a small pony. Koda's parents were typical miniature horses, according to ABC News Online. But Koda was born with dwarfism, making the tiny equine even tinier. He's not the smallest horse on record, though. The Guinness Book of Records gives that prize to Thumbelina, an American miniature horse just 17.5 inches tall, reports the Diamond Valley Leader.

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Koda had a rough start in life. His dwarfism has caused a number of health problems, reports the Diamond Valley Leader. He was born with leg abnormalities that caused his stumpy legs to buckle and bend. He's already undergone surgery to repair a joint in his front leg that dislocated when he walked. The surgery was a success, and Koda now trots around much more easily. Next he'll need dental work to remove some of the large adult teeth that don't fit in his miniature mouth.

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Koda's owner, veterinary nurse Karen Stephenson, was smitten with Koda from the start. "I fell in love with him straight away," she told ABC News Online. For now, Koda is living at the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital, where Stephenson works. After he recovers from additional surgeries, he'll move back to Stephenson's farm, where he'll have a chance to romp with her normal-sized horses.

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Koda's surgeries have cost $10,000 so far, and the bill is expected to top $30,000 before all is said and done. "But he's well worth it," Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital vet Andy Lynch told ABC News Online. Despite his early health problems, Lynch said he's hopeful that Koda will live at least a decade, if not longer. "He's very brave and he responds very well to pain relief," he told ABC News Online.

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Koda reportedly loves the attention he gets. It's a good thing. School kids and vanloads of elderly visitors have traveled to the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital to lay eyes on the diminutive horse, reports ABC News Online. We don't blame them. Really, have you ever seen a cuter critter?

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