Downsized Horses Grow in Popularity

SANTA BARBARA —  Watching the herd of miniature horses grazing along the mountain foothills of Elmer Koonce’s Willowbrook Ranch, one wonders if the breed is regressing to the size of their primitive ancestors. The origin of the species has been estimated at from 60 million to 65 million years ago, and skeletal remains discovered by archeologists have shown that the early horse was the size of a small dog, possibly about 12 inches high.

Ruby, the tiniest in Koonce’s stable, measures 26 inches and is a pinto in coloring. Some people would refer to this little mare as a pony, which is a misnomer. She is a true horse, but a miniature of larger thoroughbreds.

“These horses have an interesting history,” Koonce, a retired contractor, explained. He and his wife, Marian, became interested in the breed two years ago when they acquired the nucleus of their current herd of 29--a stallion, colt and three mares.

“I’ve read that the first of the miniature horses were bred during the 16th or 17th Century,” he said, “owned by the monarchs of Europe, who prized them as pets for their children. Later they were to delight audiences at traveling circuses.”

Miniature horses were imported into the United States during the early 1930s, and here the breed fell upon the hard times experienced by so many humans during the Great Depression. Once the companions of royalty, they labored in coal mines, particularly in Indiana where the tunnels leading to the deposits were only four feet high and extremely narrow, making it impossible to use mules. The miniature horses, extremely powerful for their size, patiently pulled countless coal cars to the surface.

Today the descendants of these miners’ helpers have improved their social status and are once again pampered pets.

The miniature equines from Willowbrook Ranch make frequent appearances at county fairs throughout California, as well as at schools, hospitals and homes for the elderly. There are also horse shows where they compete with their counterparts owned by other breeders. More than 50 colorful ribbons adorn the walls of Koonce’s tack room, all won by the tiny entries from his stable.

“Thirty-four inches is the maximum height you can register as a miniature,” Koonce added. “Most breeders like their brood mares to be between 32 and 34 inches in height. The smaller the horse, the more valuable it is.”

Pixie Dentzel works as a trainer at Willowbrook Ranch. She is used to handling horses of many breeds. “These miniatures have a calming effect when they’re around larger and more spirited horses,” she observed. “I’ve known race-horse owners who like to have one as a companion for the high-strung thoroughbreds in their stables.”

“We’re going to have a busy time around here in March,” Koonce said. “Ten mares are in foal, and that’s when they’re all due to deliver. We can expect all kinds of colorings--black, chestnut, pinto, a white coat patterned with darker markings, chestnuts and sorrels.”

The stable Koonce constructed in Lilliputian style for his bantam herd has now become a maternity ward for the mares in waiting. As the time approaches, the quintet of diminutive stallions who sired the expected offspring can be expected to pace nervously around the outside corral; Buckwheat, Chocolate Chip, Red Boy, Little Joe and a ladies’ man named Thriller.