Thumbelina, The Smallest Horse on Earth

  
Story about the tiny horse that has brought endless pleasure to an adoring crowd of child fans around the world, to whom she means so much

 Thumbelina, The Smallest Horse on Earth

 Nature

                           

                                 Thumbelina

It is really hard, at times, to keep the lump from your throat, when you see something so cute it makes you feel fuzzy inside. One glorious case in point is Thumbelina, the smallest, sweetest, most lovable horse in the world, and her fan club is truly immense. The Guinness Book of Records contains her details, and her pedigree. Born May 1st 2001, this, to name her correctly, dwarf miniature horse stands a mere 17.5in tall, weighing 57lb.only, less than most children.

Not only certified to be the smallest living horse on earth, as well as the smallest ever recorded, Thumbelina is not the first, by any means. Miniature horses originated, nearly four centuries ago in parts of Europe, bred at first as pets, for royal families, the earliest having been recorded in 1650.
It was written about as appearing in the Palace at Versailles, home of French King Louis XIV, who had his own zoo, favoring the featuring of unusual species, such as horses in miniature. By 1765, paintings and articles, throughout Europe, featured these tiny equines. In the course of that 18th century, certain workplaces, it was surmised, would benefit from the employment of miniature draft animals like horses, notably coal mines.

Breeders, of course, at once started diversifying, breeding both pet horses and animals destined to be working beasts. 'Draft' versions of the miniature horse were known as very strong for their height, and some were still working, in some American mines, even as late as the 1950s, in some cases
Thumbelina arrived in the world on Goose Creek Farms in St Louis, and as the parent horses involved were only standard miniatures, the shock, when the foal turned out to be so small, even among miniature horse babies, was profound. Thumbelina, despite her tiny birth weight and health problems, showed the world real fighting spirit, today perfectly healthy, and a real character, according to all who meet her.
Despite her size, she rules the roost at the farm, bosses every other animal there, including the dogs, and none seem to object. As a very young horse, she actually claimed the doghouse, in the barn, for her own use, still sleeping in it to this day. Although much smaller than miniatures, in general, she seems completely unaware of any size ‘disadvantage’, and is, in fact, supremely confident and very individual, unwittingly providing all who see her with an endless source of amusement, both on the farm and in public
Being such a lovable little character, Thumbelina is constantly surrounded, naturally, by adoring children, and for very many of them, especially the sick ones, seeing her, in the flesh, is one of the happiest moments of their young lives, this tiny horse giving so much, and wanting only to be petted, in return for her affection.
With untold millions of adoring followers now, in over 150 countries, and more finding out about her every week, Thumbelina has become a symbol, of love, hope and comfort, to children everywhere. She had, in her early life, to overcome challenges as severe as some that face certain of these children, reminding us, so wonderfully, that even the least blessed among us can achieve greatness. Thumbelina is not only beautiful, but also inspirational, to so many, and one of the natural wonders of the world. Truly quite incredible.