The miniature horse was developed in Europe in the 1600s. The breed's two registries have different height requirements, but the horses must fall under 34-38 inches, measured from the last hairs of the mane.

While they are extremely small, they are considered horses and not ponies. In the past, the breed has been kept as pets by nobility and used for work in coal mines. Today they are used as driving horses and sometimes even as service animals.