Like every other species, there are many different horse breeds, each unique in its own way. But besides the breed, horses are usually grouped into three types based on their size: Heavy, light, and pony.
Ponies include all breeds smaller than 58 inches. They often attract attention due to their size. Some are too small to be ridden and are kept mainly as pets, while others are ideal for riding, especially for children and beginners.
So, let’s get to know these charming small breeds better. Here’s a list of the smallest horse breeds from around the world!
1. Falabella
Height: 25–34 inches
Weight: 70–100 pounds
The Falabella horse is an Argentinian breed considered to be the smallest breed of horse in the world.
These mini horses are known for their gentle nature, but they can be incredibly smart and curious. Due to their small size, they can only be ridden by the smallest children.
2. Miniature Horse
Height: 30–38 inches
Weight: 150–250 pounds
Miniature horses are popular for their small size and adorable looks. Known for their friendly nature, they’re mostly kept as pets as they’re too small for riding.
3. Shetland Pony
Height: 28–46 inches
Weight: 400–500 pounds
Not only are Shetland ponies one of the smallest horse breeds, but they are also one of the oldest breeds, originating from the Shetland Islands in Scotland.
Though small in size, these horses are strong and very resilient. They are popular for their friendly personality and the fact that they’re easy to keep.
4. Caspian Horse
Height: 40–48 inches
Weight: 400–600 pounds
This Iranian breed, known for its sturdy frame, has short, straight backs and strong hooves that rarely need shoeing. They are critically endangered, making them a rare treasure.
5. Yonaguni Horse
Height: 42–47 inches
Weight: 400–450 pounds
The Yonaguni horse breed is a small horse native to Yonaguni Island in Japan. Though small, these horses are incredibly strong and have great endurance levels. They can be ridden but only by smaller children.
Additionally, the Yonaguni horse is also a critically-endangered breed.
6. Noma Horse
Height: 42–47 inches
Weight: 450–500 pounds
The Noma Horse is another rare, small breed native to Japan, and it’s also endangered. These horses are characterized by strong bodies and incredible agility which allows them to easily travel on difficult mountain terrains.
They’re often ridden by small children, and used for horse therapy thanks to their gentle nature.
7. Dartmoor Pony
Height: 48–50 inches
Weight: 500–700 pounds
The Dartmoor Pony is a horse breed native to England, used for different purposes throughout history.
These horses are small, but their strong construction and stamina are incredible. They were often used as working animals but nowadays, they are used for riding, mainly for smaller children, due to their friendly personality.
8. Exmoor Pony
Height: 47–51 inches
Weight: 700–800 pounds
The Exmoor Pony is a small horse breed native to Britain. They are quite rare but a very adaptable breed. They are characterized by strong bodies, which is why they can be used for different purposes.
9. Eriskay Pony
Height: 48–52 inches
Weight: 650–700 pounds
The Eriskay Pony is a horse breed from Scotland, and they are quite rare. These horses have strong and muscled bodies with big heads and a waterproof coat to protect them from the bad weather.
Though small, these horses are characterized by an easy-going personality and are perfect for children to ride. Besides that, they can excel at various sports disciplines.
10. Asturian Pony
Height: 48–52 inches
Weight: 600–700 pounds
The Asturian Pony is another small but also rare horse breed native to Spain. These horses are characterized by small heads and ears, including long, thick necks with long mane.
They have strong bodies with sturdy hooves suited for harsh terrains. Aside from their appearance, the Asturian horses have a calm temperament and can be easily trained.
11. Hokkaido Pony
Height: 48–52 inches
Weight: 660–770 pounds
The Hokkaido Pony is another small horse breed native to Japan, however, this is the only one that isn’t critically endangered. Compared to their size, these horses are incredibly strong and have amazing endurance.
They are calm and friendly, which is why they’re perfect for small children or inexperienced riders.
12. Welsh Pony
Height: 48–56 inches
Weight: 400–700 pounds
The Welsh Pony is a small horse breed originating from the mountainous region of Wales. These horses are incredibly smart and easily trained.
Because of that and their friendly personality, they’re perfect for smaller children and inexperienced riders. Despite their size, these incredibly sturdy horses can excel at various sports disciplines.
13. Bosnian Mountain Horse
Height: 48–56 inches
Weight: 660–770 pounds
The Bosnian Mountain horse is a small horse breed that is often used as both a pack animal and for riding activities. They’re characterized by strong bodies and sturdy hooves suitable for different terrains.
These horses can appear in several different colors, such as chestnut, bay, dun, gray, palomino, and black.
14. Icelandic Horse
Height: 52–56 inches
Weight: 730–840 pounds
As the name suggests, the Icelandic Horse is a small horse breed, originating from Iceland. Besides being small, these horses are quite incredible.
They have a long lifespan, strong bodies, and a large personality, which is why they can be used for different purposes.
15. Fjord Horse
Height: 54–60 inches
Weight: 880–1100 pounds
The Fjord horses may be small, but they are incredibly strong and agile. They are one of the oldest horse breeds in the world.
Nowadays, they’re mostly used as a harness or riding horse, thanks to their easy-going personality. However, the most amazing thing about these horses is that they’re always dun in color with five different shade variations.
16. Gotland Pony
Height: 12.2–13.2 hands (50–54 inches)
Weight: 400–600 pounds
The Gotland Pony originates from the Swedish island of Gotland and is one of the oldest native horse breeds in Sweden.
These ponies are compact, strong, and versatile, traditionally used for farm work and as children’s ponies. With their charming looks and smooth gaits, Gotland Ponies are adored for their playful and friendly nature.
17. Haflinger
Height: 13.2–15 hands (54–60 inches)
Weight: 900–1,300 pounds
While not as small as some of the other breeds, Haflingers are still considered on the smaller side for horse breeds. Originating from the mountains of Austria and Italy, these horses are known for their beautiful golden coats and white manes and tails.
They’re incredibly strong for their size and are often used for driving, light draft work, and as children’s ponies. They are very gentle, making them ideal for family settings.
18. Balearic Pony
Height: 48–52 inches
Weight: 400–500 pounds
The Balearic Pony, also known as the Mallorquín, is a rare breed native to the Balearic Islands of Spain. This small yet sturdy pony was traditionally used for light agricultural work and transportation due to its strength and resilience.
Despite its compact size, the Balearic Pony has a muscular build and a calm temperament, making it suitable for children’s riding and therapeutic use. Its rarity has made conservation efforts crucial to preserving this historical breed.
19. Guoxia Pony
Height: 40–42 inches
Weight: 300–400 pounds
The Guoxia Pony is an ancient Chinese breed originating from the Guangxi region. Standing around 40 inches tall, it was traditionally used for orchard work due to its ability to navigate tight spaces without damaging crops.
The name “Guoxia” translates to “under the fruit tree,” reflecting its historical purpose. Known for their gentle disposition and hardiness, these ponies are rarely seen outside their native region, making them one of the rarest small horse breeds in the world today.
20. Basque Pony
Credit: Shutterstock
Weight: Approximately 550-660 pounds (250-300 kg)
Height: Around 11-12 hands (44-48 inches)
The Basque Pony, also known as the Pottok, is a small and hardy horse breed native to the Basque regions of France and Spain. Standing at around 11-12 hands (44-48 inches) tall, these ponies are well-adapted to the rugged terrain of the Pyrenees Mountains.
Despite their small size, they possess incredible strength and endurance, traits developed from centuries of living in harsh, mountainous environments. Their thick coats protect them from the elements, making them resilient in extreme weather conditions.
Known for their gentle temperament, Basque Ponies are often used for light riding and as companions for children.
Their compact size, combined with their sturdy build and sure-footedness, makes them uniquely suited to navigating steep, uneven landscapes. These small yet robust ponies are a testament to the adaptability and resilience of equine breeds in challenging environments.
21. Yakut Pony
Credit: Shutterstock
Weight: Approximately 880-1,100 pounds (400-500 kg)
Height: Around 11-12 hands (44-48 inches)
The Yakut Pony, native to Siberia, is a small yet incredibly tough horse breed designed to thrive in some of the coldest climates on Earth. Typically standing at 11-12 hands (44-48 inches) tall, they are compact and stocky, with thick, insulating coats that help them endure temperatures as low as -70°F (-57°C).
Their small size belies their strength and stamina, as they are capable of carrying heavy loads and traveling long distances across snowy terrains.
The Yakut Pony has been a crucial part of life for the indigenous Yakut people, providing transportation, food, and materials for survival in remote regions.
Despite their rugged nature, these ponies are known for their calm and cooperative demeanor, making them invaluable companions. Their combination of small stature, resilience, and adaptability highlights the unique characteristics of this extraordinary Arctic breed.