Thumbelina, the worlds smallest horse, weighs the same as a medium-sized dog.
Thumbelina, the worlds smallest horse, weighs the same as a medium-sized dog.
Credit Austin Hargrave
Thumbelina's handler says the small horse seems unaware of her size and often takes charge around the farm.
Thumbelina's handler says the small horse seems unaware of her size and often takes charge around the farm.
Courtesy Goose Creek Farms
In 2002 she made history with the Guinness World Records after measuring 44.5cms (17.5 in) tall. She was born with dwarfism at Goose Creek Farm in St Louis, Missouri.
In 2002 she made history with the Guinness World Records after measuring 44.5cms (17.5 in) tall. She was born with dwarfism at Goose Creek Farm in St Louis, Missouri.
Courtesy Goose Creek Farms
"She stands her ground and she doesn't take anything from other horses but at the same time she's always been so sweet and calm and tender with kids," says Thumbelina's handler, Michael Goessling.
"She stands her ground and she doesn't take anything from other horses but at the same time she's always been so sweet and calm and tender with kids," says Thumbelina's handler, Michael Goessling.
Courtesy Goose Creek Farms
Now 17, Thumbelina lives a quiet life on the farm, sleeping in the dog house -- using a set of doggy doors to get in an out of the barn.
Now 17, Thumbelina lives a quiet life on the farm, sleeping in the dog house -- using a set of doggy doors to get in an out of the barn.
Courtesy Goose Creek Farms
Early on, Thumbelina's owners decided to turn her into a therapy animal. "She visited cancer patients, burn patients, they were kids that were really struggling -- sometimes emotionally -- and they'd have that moment with Thumbelina. I had more parents come up to me with tears in their eyes saying it was literally the happiest moment of their child's life.
Early on, Thumbelina's owners decided to turn her into a therapy animal. "She visited cancer patients, burn patients, they were kids that were really struggling -- sometimes emotionally -- and they'd have that moment with Thumbelina. I had more parents come up to me with tears in their eyes saying it was literally the happiest moment of their child's life.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Big Jake became famous worldwide in 2010 after he was crowned the tallest in the world by the Guinness World Records at an extraordinary 20 hands, 2.75 inches (210.2 centimeters or 82.75 inches.)
Big Jake became famous worldwide in 2010 after he was crowned the tallest in the world by the Guinness World Records at an extraordinary 20 hands, 2.75 inches (210.2 centimeters or 82.75 inches.)
Courtesy Guinness World Records
The average height of a Belgian horse is usually between 16 and 17 hands.
The average height of a Belgian horse is usually between 16 and 17 hands.
Courtesy Guinness World Records