Is Einstein The World's Smallest Horse?

He may be just six days old, but Einstein, a miniature pinto colt, is already (almost) as famous as his namesake! That's because this foal is not only the world's cutest, but may also be the world's smallest horse!

Born on Friday April 22nd at the Tiz A Miniature horse farm in Barnstead, New Hampshire, Einstein arrived into this world weighing a mere 6lbs and measuring just 14 inches tall. While miniature horses are meant to be small, their normal birth weight is at least three times higher and most of them measure in at 21 inches or more

The current record holder is Thumbelina, who weighed a hefty 8.5lbs when she was born, though she was a little shorter, measuring in at 17.5 inches. However, Einstein's breeder, Judy Smith, believes that Einstein has the rightful claim to the title, since Thumbelina, suffers from dwarfism, whilst Einstein, who she describes as 'all leg' is a perfectly proportioned normal horse.

Now we just have to see if the Guinness Book of Records agrees with her slightly biased views. To keep track of this cutie pie, you can check out his website at www.einsteinminihorse.com/home.html.

Miniature horses come in many different pony breeds, that have been bred to reduce the size. They are very hardy with a lifespan of between 20-25. The animals are friendly and calm and quite intelligent. They are therefore not only popular as pets, but in certain countries also as assistance animals for the blind.

sources:wikipedia.org, aol.com, dailymail.co.uk, guardian.co.uk