The World's Smallest Horse

Alison, who has been volunteering one morning a week at the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center here in San Juan Capistrano, told me that yesterday she saw the world's smallest horse, Thumbelina.

When she described it to me, I was pretty amazed, I must say.

Here are some facts about Thumbelina, from her very own website (where you can click on the Gallery button to view her beauty shots!):

• Thumbelina is a dwarf miniature horse.

• Thumbelina was born on May 1st, 2001 on Goose Creek Farms, a miniature horse farm
near St. Louis, MO.

• Goose Creek Farms maintains a herd of about 40-50 miniature horses and is owned by
Paul and Kay Goessling.

• At birth, Thumbelina stood about 11 inches tall and weighed about 8.5 lbs.

• Today, Thumbelina is a chestnut mare that stands 17 ½ inches tall and weighs 58 lbs.

• Thumbelina eats one cup of oats and a handful of hay in the breakfast and dinner.

• Thumbelina prefers to sleep in the dog house instead of her stall.

• Guinness World records certified Thumbelina as the “World’s Smallest Living Horse” on July 7th, 2006.

• Guinness has since certified Thumbelina as the smallest horse in history since they can find no record of anyone ever claiming to have a horse smaller than 17 ½ inches tall.

• The Thumbelina Charitable Foundation was established on January 2nd, 2007.

• The Thumbelina Charitable Foundation was created to channel the world’s affection for Thumbelina toward worthy children’s charities and the missions for which they strive.

• The Thumbelina Children’s Tour was launched on May 1st in Louisville, KY during
Derby Week.

• The goal of the Children’s Tour is for Thumbelina to visit sick and needy kids across the US and to raise $1M for children’s charities.

• The tour will run from May to November 2007.

Until next time...

Rick