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Falabella Miniature Horse History
The Falabella family of Argentina became interested over a century ago in the research and breeding of miniature horses. Patrick Newell, the great grandfather of Julio Caesar Falabella, first started the breeding of the miniature horses back in the late 1800’s. The plan was to develop an equine the size of pony, but with the conformation and disposition of a horse.
The knowledge of breeding for miniature horses was recorded and passed from Patrick to his son-in-law Juan Falabella, who in turn passed the program onto his son Emilo Falabella, and then onto his son Julio Falabella. Thus began the breeding of Falabella horses. Today the Falabella is recognized as a Breed and known as the true original miniature horse.
Falabellas have been bred down from a variety of full size horse breeds including the Thoroughbred, Arabian, Quarter Horse, Draft, etc. Falabellas appear in many colors, from appaloosa, pinto, blacks, bays, buckskins, chestnuts, white, and palominos.
Julio Falabella especially liked the loud color horses and many of his herd descendants today are appaloosa and pinto. One of Julio’s favorites was an appaloosa stallion named Menelek (shown) who was sold to Lord and Lady Fisher of England. Menelek was the foundation used to start a Falabella bloodline in the United Kingdom and the Kilverstone Stud Zoo, established to promote the breed.
The disposition of the Falabella is quite noticeable, they are very friendly, extremely gentle and very intelligent. They make great performance horses and can be easily trained as driving horses, show horses, or trick horses.
The first Falabellas were imported to the United States by the Regina Winery in Etiwanda, California. A team of Falabella horses was used as promotion to pull a stagecoach in parades bearing the Winery’s crest.
The Regina Winery imported the first Pure Falabella stallion into the United States. This magnificent leopard appaloosa stallion named Chianti became one of the most famous appy stallions in the country; and his name appears in the pedigrees of many miniature horses today. They have been featured in outstanding events such as the Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, CA, The National Orange Show in San Bernardino, CA, and the California State Show in Sacramento, CA.
In 1980, Julio Caesar Falabella passed away and the herd and ranches were divided between Maria Luisa, his second wife, and his only daughter Maria Angelica. Maria Luisa continues to breed horses in South America and exports to other countries.
In 1995, Maria Angelica Falabella and her business partner Washington Sea and his family relocated to South Carolina, USA. Today they continue her father’s breeding program and show their horses in the United States. Angelica still owns horses in Argentina and continues to bring them to America.
Recently, Maria Angelica sold her remaining pure Falabella's to Laurie Stevens of Toyland Miniatures, thus ending almost 200 years of the Falabella family's history in the development of the fabulous Falabella miniature horses.
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