Description and characteristics of horses of the Falabella breed, features of the content
The Falabella horse is a unique breed that is famous for its small size. At the same time, animals cannot be classified as ponies, since they are distinguished by a fully developed physique. The horses' original appearance made them extremely popular. They are bred by horse breeders, especially since they are considered unpretentious.
History of the breed
Argentina is considered the birthplace of these horses. The Irishman Patrick Newtall, who lived in this country, began to breed this breed. Hard and painstaking work helped him create a herd of horses, the maximum height of which did not exceed 75 centimeters. Subsequently, Newtall's son-in-law, Juan Falabello, continued breeding work. First, he crossed ponies with animals that his father-in-law bred. To preserve the size of the pony and the gracefulness of the horse, small specimens were used for selection.
Description and characteristics of the miniature horse falabella
The small Falabella horses have many benefits. They are characterized by a calm disposition and a beautiful exterior.
Character
These horses have a kind character. They are able to become a real friend of a person immediately after meeting. Animals get along well with children. They are allowed to be used to teach kids to ride.
Appearance
Horses are characterized by a graceful physique, which is distinguished by ideal proportions. They are distinguished by a medium-sized head, long neck and slender legs. In appearance, the animals resemble Arabian horses. They also look like gonter horses.
Horses are characterized by a bulging chest and a toned belly. Mares are distinguished by a slightly sagging back in the lumbar region. At the same time, stallions have a moderately arched back. The skin is thin. It is covered with dense wool, which has a smooth and shiny surface. Horses have a long tail and the same mane.
Height and weight
The growth of animals reaches 40-75 centimeters. It should be borne in mind that the offspring is less than the parents. Adult horses weigh 30-60 kilograms.
Suit
Horses of this breed can be of different colors.
Pros and cons
These animals love the company of humans and are well trained. The advantages of the breed include the following:
- patience - these horses are allowed to be used as guides;
- unpretentious care - horses are often bred by inexperienced farmers or breeders;
- high intellectual abilities - due to this, the training process is greatly simplified;
- good life expectancy;
- calm character.
The negative aspects of the breed are due to the characteristics of its physique. These include the following:
- fragile skeleton and low draft force - these features make it impossible to use falabella for complex physical work;
- congenital intestinal problems - observed in some individuals, which requires a special diet;
- Breeding difficulties - Horses have difficulty giving birth.
Care and maintenance
Falabella is considered an unpretentious breed that does not require much attention. But this does not mean that pets do not need care. Like other animals, horses require love and care. These horses love nature. Therefore, it is recommended to keep them in an open pen. Thanks to this, horses can frolic in the fresh air. It is advisable to organize a stable near the corral. Thanks to this, pets can independently distribute the time spent under a canopy and in nature.
The Falabella breed is susceptible to disease. Therefore, in winter, horses need a warm stable. It is recommended to insulate the room well so that there are no drafts in it. The maximum heat should be kept in the stable. It is also worth making sure that horses have constant access to hay in winter. It is best to cover the entire stable with them. When breeding animals, it is worth monitoring the condition of their fur, which is especially important during the molting period, which occurs at the beginning or end of winter.
Nutrition
Falabella horses require optimal proportions of calcium and phosphorus for full development. The ratio of the elements should be 1: 0.75. Violation of proportions provokes calcium deficiency. As a result, there is a risk of rickets and other anomalies. The horses menu should be based on fresh herbs. Horses also require a sufficient amount of hay. It is best to feed the falabella with oat stubble. At the same time, you should not give wheat to horses of this breed.
In summer, animals are advised to organize free pasture grazing. In winter, they need to be given a sufficient amount of boiled vegetables, vitamins, concentrated cereals. It is recommended to feed animals with such products twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
Also, animals should be given apples and other fruits, which contain many valuable components. At the same time, such products will have to be introduced very carefully in order to avoid the development of allergies. If undesirable reactions appear, you will have to refuse such food. Constant access to clean water is essential. If the animal has moved intensively, it is recommended to drive it at a calm pace for half an hour. Only then can the horse drink water.
Diseases and their treatment
With a large number of animals in the stable, it is recommended to carefully monitor their health. Diseases and parasites spread quickly in confined spaces. To prevent infections, it is worth providing good ventilation and sufficient heating. This will help to avoid mass destruction of horses by respiratory diseases.
Timely vaccination of animals against tetanus, influenza and other common diseases is of no small importance.
Breeding
The mare's pregnancy lasts 13 months. This is considered a feature of animals of this breed, since the gestation period for foals by representatives of other species does not exceed 11 months. Insemination of animals occurs artificially. Moreover, the main gene is characteristic of the breed. If you cross a common mare with a falabella stallion, a miniature animal is born. The foal recognizes its mother by smell. If there is a person near the baby during childbirth, serious emotional attachment can arise. The foal will consider him his relative.
The mares take care of their babies for the first four months.Subsequent care is reduced to milk feeding, which lasts 10 months. The growth of these horses at birth reaches 40 centimeters. During the first year of life, the foal becomes independent. A three-year-old animal is already considered an adult.
Foals from childhood are distinguished by curiosity. From the first days they are interested in the older inhabitants of the stable. Moreover, kids prefer acquaintance in the form of a game. Babies are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, they must spend the night in the stable. In this case, it is worth monitoring the absence of drafts. Otherwise, there is a risk of developing colds. In other matters, caring for the falabella is not difficult. It is no different from caring for stallions of other breeds. Toddlers need long walks. They also need active games.
How much is falabella
An adult animal of this breed can be purchased for 250 thousand rubles.
Where is the breed used?
These small horses are decorative. They are not suitable for riding. A miniature horse is able to carry a cart in which 2 children or 1 adult are sitting. Most often they are used as a pet. Horses look fragile and graceful, so they should not be used on the farm. Also, animals often participate in circus performances. They are easy to train. These horses are happy to perform in front of a wide audience.
Miniature horses often help people with disabilities. This is due to the calm nature of the animals. In addition, they have a good life span. She often reaches 35-40 years old.
Falabella horses are small and graceful. They are often raised as pets. Such animals are popular with breeders because they are undemanding to care. In this case, it is worth taking care of the prevention of the main pathologies.
