NECK: The neck is set on the top of a well-angulated shoulder,
departing well above the point of the shoulder and blending
into the withers, giving the impression of the neck sitting on
top of the withers rather than in front of them. The slender
neck is slightly arched forming a gentle curve from the poll to
the back. Its length is in proportion to body with the top line
being considerably longer than the bottom line.
The throatlatch is clean and well defined, allowing flexion at
the poll and normal respiration.
SHOULDERS: The shoulders are muscular, long, sloping, well
angulated (45-50 degrees), allowing for a free swinging stride
and alert head/neck carriage.
BODY: The body is compact with a short back, close coupling,
broad loins, deep flank and well sprung ribs. The back has a
long, level, well muscled croup and is smoothly rounding at the
hip. The tail is well set. The underline of the body should be
long but not tucked up at the flank. At maturity, the top of the
hip must not be higher than the withers. The chest is medium
width with defined muscular development.
LEGS: The legs appear longer than the body is deep. They
possess flat bone, and an apperance of over-all substance with
refinement. Legs are structurally straight and parallel when
viewed from the front and back with hooves pointing directly
ahead. The pasterns have sufficient length and angulations
to provide a light, springy step. The front legs possess a well
muscled forearm, relatively long in proportion to a short
cannon. Front pasterns slope 45 to 48 degrees and blend
smoothly with no change of angle from the hooves to the
ground.
The rear leg structure must demonstrate good angulations
and proper flexion of the hocks for athletic movement; have
the stifle placed well forward and low in the flank area with
thighs and gaskins well muscled. The gaskin is relatively long
in relation to the cannon. The rear cannons are perpendicular
to the ground when points of hocks and buttocks are in the
same vertical lines. Back pasterns slope 40 to 50 degrees and
blend smoothly with no change of angle from the hooves to the
ground. The hooves are trimmed to a practical length and have
sufficient toe length and angle with spread of the heels for the
size and proportions of the animal.
MOVEMENT: The walk is a natural free flowing, four beat gait
with length of stride proportional to the height and length
of leg. The trot is a natural forward, free flowing two beat
diagonal gait where the knee and hock are synchronized in
their elevated, flexed and extension movement. When viewed
at a walk and trot from the front, the horse will replicate the
structural correctness of its stance. The American Miniature
Horses’ conformation allows them to trot willingly and freely
at liberty or pulling a pleasure cart.
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