Koda is so small that he is often mistaken for a battery operated toy! He’s smaller than a Labrador retriever and only a little larger than a cat.
Koda is a miniature horse that also suffers from dwarfism. He stands just 59 cm (23 1/4″) tall and is the smallest horse in Australia.
Koda was born with a host of health problems. He needed surgery to correct his buckled legs and he still looks kind of funny — his lower jaw juts out, his eyes bulge and he has a wrinkled nose.
Thanks to vet Andy Lynch and veterinary nurse Karen Stephenson, Koda has received both the veterinary care and the encouragement to make it through his first year of life. While many didn’t think he’d make it, this plucky little pony has an oversized personality and is making friends everywhere.
Make sure to check out the YouTube video below where you can listen to Dr. Lynch talk about Koda and his surgeries.
Are people breeding these on purpose? Because…why? I mean, he is cute and all, but…
I think that’s a good question, in this economy, with everyone worrying about what happens to pets/horses when people hit financial stress. Is cuteness enough?
Besides cuteness though, some miniature horses have been trained as companion/help animals for people with physical disabilities. Mini’s live longer than dogs, are easily trained, and can help provide a better quality of life both in mobility and companionship for folks with physical impairments.
They are awfully cute too!
Honestly, when I read that the vet bill for this little guy was already 15,000 pounds sterling my jaw dropped. Yes, he’s cute. But that’s a lot of money to save a pony that was born with some severe deformities.
Whoa I missed that somehow! I’m afraid I have to agree with you on that. *jaw hitting desk*
Such a cute little pony! I wonder how big he was when he was a foal? Probably no bigger than a Breyer horse!