#sideshowanimals

Comparison of a small quarter horse skull and a miniature horse affected with dwarfism. Miniature horses are an actual breed of horse and they generally retain the same proportions as a regular horse, they are just smaller overall. When a horse is affected with dwarfism its body and head experience varying degrees of deformation; such as stunted legs that are disproportionately short for the body and changes to the shape of the face and head. Contrary to popular belief, not all miniature horses are dwarfs, and not all dwarf horses are actual miniature horses by breed - dwarfism can affect any breed of horse, the specimen shown here just happens to be both a miniature horse and a dwarf. Continue to the next photo in my album for a close-up of the dwarf specimen and continued description.

Skull from a miniature horse affected with dwarfism. Note the severe underbite and bulbous forehead. From a mature animal but measuring a mere 12" long. This specimen also has four canine teeth behind the incisors (not to be confused with the first molars which have been worn into a point due to malocclusion) The presence of four canines suggests the animal was male. Less than 28% of female horses have canines, when they do, they often only have two and they are underdeveloped. Continue to the photo preceding this one for more information and for a side-by-side photo of this skull next to a normal horse.