The American Miniature Horse is a unique breed - an elegant, little scaled-down version of the large horse - that cannot be taller than 34 inches when measured at the last hairs of the mane. Today's perfectly proportioned Miniatures are the product of nearly 400 years of selective breeding, initially in Europe. Miniatures were first imported to the United States in the early 1900's as work horses to take advantage of their great strength in pulling ore carts in coal mines. As their utility decreased with the advent of industrialization a few far sighted individuals started to breed Miniatures as unique pets. From these beginnings came the forebears to the American Miniature Horse Association and the American Miniature Horse Registry which serve as registries for the American Miniature Horse.