THE FALABELLA HORSE IS ARGENTINIAN
The falabella horse is closely related to the first horses that lived in America, those that were brought over by the Spaniards. These horses endured different changes in order to adapt themselves to their new land, which was so different from their land of origin. The strong sun, the cold winds, the frequent storms and the dryness of the fields forced these animals to migrate long distances to find water and grass. This is the reason why the Falabella is so resilient. All these factors may have caused genetic mutations, which years later led to what we now know as the Falabella.
The unknown origin of these animals begins with an Irish man called Netwall. He was very fond of horses and saw how important the discovery of these creatures could be. He started breeding them and got a harmonious group.
The origin of the Falabella
Netwall did not have any sons, his only daughter married an Italian named Julio César Falabella. Falabella inherited from Netwall not only some horses of this incipient breed, but also his great passion for them. Falabella and his descendants continued selecting horses and incorporating different European breeds into the group. Such as Pur-sang, Welsh ponies and Shetland ponies (which were used much less than the other breeds.)
The Falabella
The Falabella is a horse which has very similar characteristics to many other horses. They breed naturally, always giving birth to animals with exactly the same characteristics as them. They do not require any special treatment.
Their natural resilience makes them capable of enduring the severest weather conditions. These factors have made the Falabella famous all over the world.
In the 1950’s these animals became widely known; artists, noblemen and important businessmen had their own Falabella, even president Kennedy bought one.
Rearing Methods
The Falabella can live in corrals, as long as they have grass, shade, and an area of 20/30 metres for each animal or in an open field.
The quality of the land may be variable, since the Falabella is an incredibly adaptable animal. Their basic food is grass and they rarely need a dietary supplement.
Adaptability
One of their most amazing features is their calm temperament and their ability to adapt themselves to different environments. They are a docile and gentle animal.
Once a Falabella has been chosen to live among people or to be sent abroad, its weight, teeth, and general physical condition are carefully checked.
These horses can be easily tamed. In addition, they can usually recognise their owners by voice and sight.
Conclusion
The Falabella is considered to be the smallest.