The British Miniature Horse Society was founded in 1994 to promote the welfare, breeding and showing of miniature horses. Starting earlier as a registry, it became recognised by DEFRA as a Stud Book, and remains the only British Miniature Horse Breed Society that insists on verified breeding details for inclusion on its stud book. We are also a Passport Issuing Organisation and can issue passports to horses that are not registered on our Stud Book.
New members receive a comprehensive Hand Book , with details of all our services, and newsletters are published regularly to update information.
The Society organises various annual events, including an Auction , Teach-ins Spring Show and International Breed Show.
Shows are arranged country wide, with most holding qualifying classes for either The Royal International Horse Show or The Horse of the Year Show. (Please note that we are the ONLY society that offers championships at these most prestigious shows – beware of imitations from other showing societies who offer ‘miniature horse of the year’ titles at their shows).
We are happy to offer advice to perspective purchasers and on all aspects of keeping, breeding and showing miniature horses. Our network of committee members and experienced breeders can put you in touch with people in your area who are willing to help you.
" As the Mother Stud Book for the British Miniature Horse we have members in 12 EU Countries with our passports and registration documents being accepted throughout Europe. This also allows for Europe wide Breeding programs.
A Miniature Horse should be a perfectly scaled down version of a quality riding horse.
At maturity it should measure not more than 87cm at the withers. We do not seek to miniaturise any particular breed, but would give as a guide to type, somewhere between a Hack and a Hunter as being the correct height to weight ratio.
The miniature horse should have the same conformation and movement as would be desirable in its full sized counterpart. It is definitely not a dwarf or an undersized pony but should have been selectively bred to ensure both its own correctness and suitability for breeding from.
To be eligible for registration onto the BMHS Stud Book a foal must have two BMHS registered parents.
The only other access to BMHS Stud Book registration is through assessment. Only adult horses can apply, and the hardship registration fee is dependent upon the score achieved from a panel of three judges. Owners must be BMHS members.
A Miniature Horse can be any colour or pattern, has a huge personality, and whether a top show specimen or a pure pet, will become a much loved companion. Miniature horses often enjoy jumping, being driven and even ridden by a very small child.
However small, they are in every way horses and so have the same requirements as any other horse, both for nutrition, housing and veterinary care.
How do I become a member of the BMHS?
Anyone over the age of 16 may apply for membership of the BMHS.
New members pay a joining fee of £10 and receive a comprehensive Hand Book.
The appropriate fee for single or family membership covering one calendar year is also payable.
Children may join as part of a family membership, or as an associate member, but cannot have horses registered in their name.
Associate members receive newsletters and can handle horses in the show ring, but cannot register horses or make show entries. They do not need to purchase a Hand Book.
Anyone accepted as a member must agree to abide by the rules of the society, as published in the BMHS Hand Book.
How do you purchase a miniature horse?
Advice on Purchasing a Miniature Horse.
UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED HORSE OWNER IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE THE HORSE EXAMINED BY A VET OF YOUR CHOOSING. THIS WILL AT LEAST ENSURE THAT YOU PURCHASE A HEALTHY ANIMAL, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THAT IT IS A GOOD MINIATURE HORSE.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT MAKES A GOOD MINIATURE HORSE, THEN IT IS BEST TO SEEK DISINTERESTED ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO DOES. TRY TO SEE AS MANY HORSES AS YOU CAN, A SHOW IS A GOOD PLACE TO DO THIS, AND TO MEET OTHER OWNERS AND BREEDERS. IF POSSIBLE SEE BOTH PARENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN BUYING A FOAL. THIS SHOULD GIVE A BETTER INDICATION OF YOUR ADULT HORSE THAN ITS APPEARANCE AT A FEW MONTHS OF AGE. ALL YOUNG ANIMALS LOOK ‘CUTE’ BUT MANY GROW UP TO BE MONSTERS. BE WARNED !!
Generally you should expect to see a clean, active animal, clear eyed, no runny nose etc. and with no evidence of coat infestation. Its teeth should be level and even, with upper and lower sets meeting without protrusion. Movement should be straight and fluid, feet correctly trimmed.
Measure the horse yourself or get a vet to do so and ensure that it is within the correct height range for its age. Especially if close to maximum permitted height for age you could ask for a guarantee of adult height from the seller.
The horse must have a passport, NEVER BUY A HORSE WITHOUT A PASSORT, and any parentage should be verifiable in a registration document from a recognised Stud Book.
Without this you have no proof of the horse’s breeding and it would not be eligible for registration with the BMHS. Information about breeding shown in a passport is not always proven. Always check with the Breed Society.
UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED HORSE OWNER IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE THE HORSE EXAMINED BY A VET OF YOUR CHOOSING. THIS WILL AT LEAST ENSURE THAT YOU PURCHASE A HEALTHY ANIMAL, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THAT IT IS A GOOD MINIATURE HORSE.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT MAKES A GOOD MINIATURE HORSE, THEN IT IS BEST TO SEEK DISINTERESTED ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO DOES. TRY TO SEE AS MANY HORSES AS YOU CAN, A SHOW IS A GOOD PLACE TO DO THIS, AND TO MEET OTHER OWNERS AND BREEDERS. IF POSSIBLE SEE BOTH PARENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN BUYING A FOAL. THIS SHOULD GIVE A BETTER INDICATION OF YOUR ADULT HORSE THAN ITS APPEARANCE AT A FEW MONTHS OF AGE. ALL YOUNG ANIMALS LOOK ‘CUTE’ BUT MANY GROW UP TO BE MONSTERS. BE WARNED !!
Generally you should expect to see a clean, active animal, clear eyed, no runny nose etc. and with no evidence of coat infestation. Its teeth should be level and even, with upper and lower sets meeting without protrusion. Movement should be straight and fluid, feet correctly trimmed.
Measure the horse yourself or get a vet to do so and ensure that it is within the correct height range for its age. Especially if close to maximum permitted height for age you could ask for a guarantee of adult height from the seller.
The horse must have a passport, NEVER BUY A HORSE WITHOUT A PASSORT, and any parentage should be verifiable in a registration document from a recognised Stud Book.
Without this you have no proof of the horse’s breeding and it would not be eligible for registration with the BMHS. Information about breeding shown in a passport is not always proven. Always check with the Breed Society.
