Well the difference between mini horses and ponies are that mini horses are shorter than ponies that's the difference between mini horses and ponies
Mini horses make great service and therapy animals. Their lifespans are considerably longer than that of dogs, which is an advantage given the expense of service animals.
I have owned, trained, and competed with a grade-stock mini horse for 14 years and sorry to say you can't tell me there is not "pony blood" in their background to be so small and/or tthat there is much differnece between ponies (defined as 39 plus inches to 14'2 hands) and a mini horse (defined as under 38 inches.) As an owner of one of these animals I find it very discriminating how unregistered stock can not be shown at some shows, and are barred from some competitions. However, all that being said, they are GREAT animals! My little guy is 36 inches and we have done open shows in driving and in hand classes. We have also done winter sleigh festivals and parades, and more recently have started doing therapy animals. Not bad for a mini out of an abusive home where I got him!
I agree, Nancy Souer. Horses have not been bred down in size. All the mini horses are really Shetlands. However, it's marketing! American Miniature Horse Registry came into being because some felt that their little ones were getting a bum rap because of the connotation that "pony" holds, such as being ornery and having an attitude..ponytude! And, Shetlands were being bred smaller. So, another registry was formed for the littles. And, yes, AMHR recognizes two height divisions: "A" or under 34" and "B" up to 38". Here's more good info: https://www.shetlandminiature.com/registries/amhr
Minis are as the article described, as "miniatures" of full-sized horses, with the same conformation. As a great example, in "Gone With the Wind", Bonnie's mount was an elegant Mini, looking like an exact small dupilcate of Rhett's gorgeous black mount (Saddlebred?). It's the best example I have ever seen- the girl is definitely not riding a Shetland! Years ago I overnighted at a Mini breeding farm, and was impressed with how delicate they were and completely mirrored full-sized horses. I took a picture of on by itself, then with a person standing next to him, and in the first photo you cannot tell he was 34 inches, but in the second you certainly can see it. You cannot do that with a pony, even to thinking draft with their thick joints and coats. They explained it was the conformation that rules, and that a short pony cannot just be considered a Mini. Another example, in human genetics, is the difference between midgets (very short people who look like big people) and dwarves, who have distinct physical differences (bent legs, arms and fingers, enlarged heads) from most big people. So just blanketly calling all small ponies Minis is just not right. Follows is a link to Bonnie's Mini. https://images.app.goo.gl/bFvguXeN31wUuPEQ6
minis are now recognized by the US government as "service" animals as opposed to companion. They are being used as guides for the blind! Airlines cannot refuse to take them. Great article in that regard on YouTube
A mini horse has the phenotype of a horse and is the size of a small pony. If a "mini horse" has the phenotype of a pony, then it is not a mini horse no matter the size, it is a glorified pony. Mini horses are not Shetland ponies. They are the product of especially small horses being bred to Shetland ponies then the offspring of those breedings being interbred and selected for the horse phenotype and shetland size and thus, the mini horse was created. They are related but this does not make them the same thing. It does not matter if your pony is 34". It's still a pony if it has short stubby legs, a long barreled body, a short thick neck and a short head. It can only be classified as a mini horse if it has the elegant proportions of a horse.
I have a pony, a cross between a Welsh and a Shetland, that is 42" in height. She resembles a horse in her conformation, "the elegant proportions of a horse", could she be considered a mini horse? No. She is a pony. I agree with Nancy Powers. It is marketing. Anything smaller in size than 58 inches is a pony. I think it is silly to call them miniature horses.
What percent of pony pregnancies result in live healthy births? What percent of miniature horse pregnancies result in live healthy births?