History of the Falabella
breed
The Falabella family of
Argentina became interested over a century ago in the
research and breeding of miniature horses. Patrick Newell
(the great grandfather of Julio Caesar Falabella) first
started the breeding of the miniature horses back in the
late 1800’s. The plan was to develop an equine the size
of pony, but with the conformation and disposition of a
horse.
The knowledge of breeding
for miniature horses was recorded and passed from Patrick
to his son-in-law Juan Falabella, who in turn passed the
program onto his son Emilo Falabella, and then onto his
son Julio Falabella. Thus began the breeding of Falabella
horses. Today the Falabella is recognized as a Breed and
known as the true original miniature horse.
The family selectively
chose the horses for breeding by using the smallest mares
with the smallest stallions, thus resulting in each
generation becoming smaller. Breeding programs continue
today producing many horses under 30 inches.
A favorite of the
Falabella family was a stallion born short and stocky
named Napoleon who matured at only 27 inches and
weighed one hundred pounds. The name Napoleon appears in
many pedigrees today. This horse lived to a ripe old age
of 42 and upon his death, a monument was erected in his
honor on the Falabella Ranch. At the time of his death, he
was claimed to be the oldest living horse in the world.
Falabellas have been bred
down from a variety of full size horse breeds including
the Thoroughbred, Arabian, Quarter Horse, Mustang, Draft
,etc. Falabellas appear in many colours: solids blacks,
bays, buckskins, palominos, chestnuts, pintos and
appaloosas.
 Julio
Falabella especially liked the loud coloured horses and
many of his herd descendants today are appaloosa and
pinto. One of Julio’s favorites was an appaloosa
stallion named Menelek who was sold to Lord and
Lady Fisher of England. Menelek was the foundation used to
start a Falabella bloodline in the United Kingdom and the
Kilverstone Zoo was established to promote the breed.
Since a variety of breeds
were used, the conformation varies from the very fine
Arabian/thoroughbred body to the heavier quarter/draft
horse type. However, all should have good conformation
with the body in proportion, straight legs, and resemble a
true horse.
The disposition of the
Falabella is quite noticeable, they are very friendly,
extremely gentle and very intelligent. They make great
performance horses and can be easily trained as driving
horses, show horses, or trick horses.
The first Falabellas were
imported to the United States by the Regina Winery in
Etiwanda, California. A team of Falabella horses was used
as promotion to pull a stagecoach in parades bearing the
Winery’s crest.
The Regina Winery imported
the first Pure Falabella stallion into the United States.
This magnificent leopard appaloosa stallion named Chianti
became one of the most famous appy stallions in the
country; and his name appears in the pedigrees of many
miniature horses today.
In 1980, Julio Caesar
Falabella passed away and the herd and ranches were
divided between Maria Luisa, his second wife, and his only
daughter Maria Angelica. Maria Luisa continues to breed
horses in South America and exports to other countries.
In 1995, Maria Angelica
Falabella and her business partner Washington Sea and his
family relocated to South Carolina, USA. Today they
continue her father’s breeding program and show their
horses in the United States. Angelica still owns horses in
Argentina and continues to bring them to America.
Thanks to Angelica
Falabella and Sandy Hawkins for the information in this
history of the Falabella horses. |
