Dwarfs are not just very small minis, they are minis born with genetic defects that can cause problems with their mouth, legs, gut, heart, brain etc. Resulting in a mini that requires a lot more care then a normal mini, may have brain damage and on many occasions will have a relatively short life span.
The severity and combination of defects each dwarf has determines what TYPE of dwarf it is.
While it is a sad and often heartbreaking side of breeding minis, it is a reality and as such dwarfism should not be ignored.

Dwarfism could happen to anyone breeding minis and while they can come with a whole list of medical issues, they are also usually VERY gentle, loving little equines who have a story of their own.

It is basically believed that the dwarf gene is recessive - that is, a foal must receive a dwarf gene from BOTH parents to be a dwarf.  

If a foal receives only one dwarf gene it will not look like a dwarf, but bred with another mini with the dwarf gene could POSSIBLY produce dwarfs.  Because of this: 

• Horses showing dwarf characteristics should not be bred from, and 

• if you have a dwarf from two non-dwarf parents you should never repeat the mating.

DECEMBER 2006 NEWS FLASH: Do you want to support "dwarf research fund" in America (which of course will help us in our understanding of these special minis???

There is a wonderful lady in America who not only takes in and cares for dwarfs, she also has a forum and website set up to help other dwarf "parents"...

Janelle Jensen is responsible for "Little Bit's Magic Shoes" and supplies corrective shoes for minis (or any equine) with leg and hoof problems.

Janell has generously agreed to be available to try and answer any questions you may have regarding dwarfs.

For Janell's contact details and links to Janell's suggested reading 

Click HERE for Dwarf Links

Lets think about the term 'Recessive'... 
it means that to be displayed BOTH parents have to pass it on to the foal. 

If the foal only inherits one recessive gene, then it will be present but will not be seen seen... but it can still be inherited by its offspring.

Click here to view a percentage table of the possibilities of breeding a dwarf from parents who are dwarfs, carriers or non-carriers of the dwarf gene.

Australian dwarfs and their stories
This section of the website is for those of you brave enough to share your dwarf stories with all of us.