Our Menu

• Havanese Puppies
  • Princess & The Frog Litter
• AKC Havanese Breed Standard
• Havanese
  • Havanese Health
  • Havanese History
  • Havanese Trivia
  • Havanese Links
• Miniature Horses
  • Sales List
  • AMHA Breed Standard
• Falabella Miniature Horse History
  • Regina Winery Falabella History

Miniature Horses

Research shows little public awareness of true Miniatures until 1960. Popular belief is that American Miniature horses utilized the blood of English and Dutch mine horses brought into this country in the 19th century and used in some Appalachian coal mines as late as 1950. The American Miniature Horse, as documented in the pedigrees of Miniatures today, also drew upon the blood of the Shetland pony.

In 1962, the Regina Winery imported twelve Falabella miniature horses from the Falabella Ranch in Argentina. Like the Budweiser Clydesdales today, the Falabella miniature horses, pulled their accurately scaled down replica of a stage coach. Their team of six in hand, were featured in such high profile events as the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, the National Orange Show of San Bernardino, CA, and the State Show in Sacramento, CA.

I became interested in miniature horses, and spent hours talking to Dixie Blasingame about her pride and joy, Chianti. Chianti, her gorgeous black leopard Falabella stallion, was one of those orginal Regina Winery imports. I want to share the information Dixie discussed with me on the Regina Winery, and the Falabella History.

The tremendous impact of the Regina Winery imports, on both visibility of the miniature horses, and gene pool of the American Miniature Horses has been profound!

I own a decendant of Chianti, and a decendant of Menelek.

Famous personalities that have owned Falabella's, beside Lord and Lady Fisher, were the Kennedy's, of course, and Frank Sinatra.

I recently visited the website of the Falabella Breeders and Owners Society to see if any other information had ever surfaced on the two outstanding original imports. It appears no other information was found. However, I did learn something facinating.

I grew up in an era The Ozzie and Harriet Show, and Donna Reed Show. Tthere was a television program called, Those Amazing Animals. One of the episodes featured a miniature horse that could count. She was absolutely incredible. Our entire family tried to spot any signals to her, but never could see any. It was obvious this horse really enjoyed what she was doing. She simply stole the show! What I didn't realize until visiting the Falabella breeders website, was that this was Kristina, a Falabella mare from Land of Little Horses, in Gettsburg, PA.

What a small world!

Cool Sponsors

©Kachinas 2009