IRISH MINIATURE horses and ponies will have their own stud book from next February following recognition of the Miniature Horse and Pony Society of Ireland by the Department of Agriculture.
Chairwoman of the society Joan Hawkins said it was a major breakthrough for the society, which was set up three years ago to achieve this aim.
She explained that, up until now, Irish-bred and owned miniatures could not be registered as "Irish miniatures" and had to be registered abroad with societies such as the Scottish Shetland Pony Society in order to gain an equine passport.
"The Irish society has been . . . recognised as the official body to maintain the stud book by the Department of Agriculture and this is great news for breeders and owners," Ms Hawkins said.
"This service will include registration of miniatures in accordance with the approved stud book rules [and] the issuing of passports, covering certificates, duplicates [and] change of ownership [documents]," she said.
Ms Hawkins said it was impossible to say how many miniature horses and ponies were in the country, but it had been estimated there could be as many as 4,000.
"Some breeders have up . . . 150 animals and we know from visiting shows around the country that frequently we saw up to 30 miniatures entered in classes for these animals," she said.
She said many people did not register their horses and ponies, but in recent times the department has been insisting that all equines have passports.
She listed the main breeds in Ireland as Shetland, Falabella, British miniature, American miniature, Dutch, Dutch miniature, Spotted, and horses and ponies registered with the International Miniature Horse and Pony Society.
She said the Irish miniature stud book with Horse Sport Ireland would be organised in two height categories: up to 34 inches, and between 34 and 38 inches.
Stallions would have to be veterinary approved and the horses would be blood typed for an upgrading of breeding standards.
The first fully registered Irish miniature foals will be expected in early 2010.
The society has called a meeting of breeders for Sunday next in Tullamore, Co Offaly.