Falabella[1] is the best known breed of miniature horses, named after the Argentine family that developed it. The Falabella Breed has it's own FMHA Registration Association to certify their pure Falabella ancestry. They have been kept pure by the Falabella Farms in Argentina and by small groups of dedicated Breeders all over the World who want to preserve their precious heritage.
The Falabella is extremely rare. There are less than 900 Falabella's registered in the FMHA. Only small herds are known to exist in most countries and their number is estimated to be only a few thousand in the entire World. Over the past 10 years, they have been gaining popularity among breeders because of their rarity. This is creating a strong demand and limited supply due to the small number in existence. Most Falabella's reside at the Falabella Farms in Argentina and in scattered smaller groups throughout the USA, Canada, the UK and other Countries in the World. . They are highly prized and valued by those who own them.
Pure Falabella's make up a tiny part of the ever growing number of American Miniature Horse Association[2] and AMHR registered American Miniatures. They are sometimes hard to aquire due to their limited numbers and strong appeal. They are favorites among Falabella Fanciers who want just a few "special" Mini's and Falabella Breeders who are always looking to aquire Herdsire prospects and brood stock.
An Falabella Miniature Horse Association[3] Registration Certificate authenticates the pure Falabella ancestry and makes them a very prestigious Miniature Breed. There is much "recorded history" of the famous Falabella in many Miniature Horse books, and they are well known by all professional Breeders as one of the original true Miniatures.
Falabella Facts
By Tammie Cappuccio
- “Falabella Miniature Horses” is considered a breed in Argentina as is the Quarter horse or Clydesdale in the USA.
- Some of the earliest photos of miniature horses in the world are the Est. Falabella dating back to 1905.
- Outside breeds are no longer used.
- Maria Louisa de Falabella owns and operates Est. Falabella in Argentina and Maria Angelica Falabella owns a farm in both Argentina and the USA. Falabellas are being produced from these sources today as well as worldwide by breeders interested in preserving this unique and rare breed.
- Horses in Argentina are subject to “inspections” for type as many of the warmblood horses of today.
- The main registries for Falabella are the ACCF and FMHA which must provide proven pure lines to be registered and documented as pure Falabella.
- Falabellas range from average 28.5 in Argentina to the larger “B” (38”) sizes here in the USA.
- All colors available with particular popularity of appaloosa and pintos.
- The name “Falabella Mini Horse” was selected due to the origin of the family who researched and developed the breed almost 150 years ago.
Falabellas in the Public Eye
- Regina Winery in CA, imported Falabellas in the 1960’s; 8 - 10 of these horses were used to pull a miniature stage coach to promote their Winery. The known horses used in the Winery hitch were, Senor, Grenache, Chianti, Regina, Sherry, Champagne, Barberra, Seniorita and Burgendy.
- Falabellas were the first mini horses used by the Kilverstone Stud in England for their Zoo exhibit. The most famous being a loud leopard appaloosa stallion named Menelek.
- The famous Regina Winery import, Chianti owned by Dixie Blasingame, was a multi halter and performance champion and was featured on the cover of the AMHR Journal. (Nov 1978)
- Little Man was once an attraction at the Oklahoma Zoo.
- Flaby’s El Tigre and Grosshill’s El Rey were both AMHA National Top Ten Senior Stallions.
- Kristina, a Falabella mare from the Land of Little Horses in Gettysburg, PA, had a talent for counting. She traveled to Hollywood to appear on the popular TV show “Those Amazing Animals”. Kristina was promoted as “the horse with the human brain”.
- Toyland Domino was filmed (1998) demonstrating his jumping and driving skills at Strongs Miniature Horses in ON. Canada, by Pet Project, a LIFE TV network and the segment was broadcast several times.
- Famous people that have owned Falabellas include; Frank Sinatra, the Kennedy Family (1963) Wayne Newton, Lord and Lady Fisher, Nelson Rockafer and Aga Khan.
