Last Updated on March 8, 2022 by Allison Price
A distinct image comes to mind when we hear Einstein’s name: Frizzy white hair, E = mc2, and possibly a tongue out.
However, Einstein has a different meaning in the horse world.
It’s a much…smaller one.
Who is Einstein, the Miniature Horse
Einstein, the world’s smallest horse stallion. He weighed in at six pounds when he was born, and stood 14 inches above the ground. This is a far cry from the 150-200 pound average weight for newborn thoroughbred horses.
Einstein was the father of two champion miniature horses. His mother was a remarkable 32-inches tall, while his father was 30-inches.
Rachel Wagner, Rachel’s co-owner, was amazed by his lack of the dysmorphic features that plague small horses. “This little boy is just like all horses, he almost has all his legs. Wagner said that he is a handsome little boy, and not dwarfy.
The world was stunned at his small stature upon his birth. 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?
Einstein is a healthy horse despite the fact that dwarf horses are more likely to have health problems.
Einstein’s only major medical event was when he sustained a spinal injury at the age of two months. Einstein also set a new world record for the date of his surgery, being the first horse ever to be operated on by canine neurosurgeons. The original equine surgeon who was tapped to perform the surgery couldn’t do it because of Einstein’s large size.
Eight hours of surgery later, Einstein’s spine was only held together by seven pins and five screws. The next day, Einstein was still standing and was prancing across the stage at Chicago’s Oprah Winfrey Show two months later. You wouldn’t know he had major spinal surgery until years later if you didn’t see him running.
Where is Einstein, the Mini Horse of Today?
Kurz after his birth Einstein moved from New Hampshire, USA to Bellingham, Washington, to live with Dr. Rachel Wagner, MD.
What is the difference between a mini horse and a pony?
While Einstein may look small, it is important to remember that Einstein is not a pony.
Mini horses result from selective breeding of small breeds of horse over time. Ponies on the other side have a short stature and bulky build because they evolved to thrive in harsh environments.
Mini horses are smaller than the larger horses and have a longer neck and head. They also have a shorter mane and tail. Ponies, on the other hand, are smaller, more stocky, and furrier. Their necks are often thick and their legs are short.
Why do people breed mini horses?
This question is often asked online and makes perfect sense: What do you do with a miniature horse?
Miniature horses were first bred in 1600 and have served a multitude of purposes, including helping laborers, providing companionship, and competing in shows.
Miniature horses are now able to provide comfort, care and assistance for children, the elderly, blind, and those with mental illness.
Miniature horses, however, are still horses. They can work indoors and also interact with other horses. If they are raised outdoors, they will be able to live a happy and healthy life.
What are the risks of breeding mini horses?
Miniature horses can cause musculoskeletal problems if they are not properly cared for and monitored.
Dwarfism can result from breeding, even if neither parent are dwarves. Miniature horses are more susceptible to dwarfism, making it even more distressing and potentially life-threatening. A dwarf mini can have any combination or deformities of the limbs, spine, and jaw which can cause pain or discomfort.
Although the best practices for maintaining a healthy miniature horse are the same for larger breeds, they are more effective for miniature horses. However, miniature horses are susceptible to some health problems.
Miniature horses are more likely to have poor dental hygiene than larger breed horses because of teeth overcrowding and overbites. This can also cause a decrease in the ability of miniature horses to properly chew and grind their feed. They are also more likely to develop colic.
Veterinary specialists at UC Davis recommend that newborn foals receive their first dental exam within a few days of birth to detect any abnormalities. This will help reduce the negative effects on health.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which miniature horses are more at risk than larger breeds. A disorder in the lipid metabolism of your miniature horse causes fat to be released from its lipid stores. It’s then transported to the liver, where it’s broken down into fatty acids. These fatty acids then get absorbed by the liver, where they are converted into triglycerides and sent into the bloodstream. The horse develops “fatty” blood, which eventually overwhelms the liver. This can lead to liver failure and eventual rupture.
Hyperlipidemia in miniature horses can cause a sharp decline in appetite, lethargy, weakness, and eventually, death. Mini horses that have been without feed for more than 24 hours should be tested for hyperlipidemia.
