The smallest horse breed in the world is the Falabella. These tiny horses come from the pampas of Argentina and are descended from Spanish horses, such as the considerably bigger Andalusian, that were brought to South America from the 16th – 19th centuries.
But how did the 156cm-high Andalusian become the diminutive Falabella, standing less than a metre tall?
Although it is believed interbreeding played its part in reducing the size of the horse, the breed's turning point came when Patrick Newtall discovered these horses in the 1840s. He developed his herd by breeding from the smallest ones and introducing other breeds to the mix to make them even smaller. After his death, the breeding programme was carried on by his family, firstly by his son-in-law Juan Falabella. The Falabella breed registry launched in 1940 and today there are breeders all over the world, including the UK. The modern-day Falabella stands between 68cm to 86cm high - a similar height to a greyhound.
What's the smallest horse in the world
According to The Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest horse in the world is Bombel ("Bubble"), an Appaloosa from Poland, who is just 56.7cm high at the shoulders.
Saddle up for a journey into the equestrian world
Ever wondered if horse riding is a sport? Or are you curious about the ins and outs of equine ownership? If so, check out our feature about how much it costs to own a horse.
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