A few people I've talked to imply that minature horses have particularly troublesome temperments overall, compared to larger breeds, and will say the same is true for shetlands. Why would smaller horses be less well mannered than larger horses?

Most horses who have bad temperaments have developed them as a defense mechanism whether the danger is real or imagined. Minis and Shetlands are smaller horses and probably have a history of being bullied and mistreated and develop nasty temperaments. Just like certain dogs get bad reputations, the same can happen with horses.

I disagree. many ponies, minies and other smaller breeds of animals (like those little poofy ankle biting dogs) are coddled and cooed over instead of being properly trained. Or improperly trained.

You bring home "baby" and he lays his ears back and bares his teeth and you giggle and coo how "manly and big" he acts and give him a treat. Suddenly you have to start calling him "killer" and not letting the little kids ride him because he's broken skin. Horses grow out of the little and cute stage and are expected to behave because bigger is dangerous to misbehave. However I have seen more feet shattered by minis from pampered homes than trained horses.

So now size really does matter doesn't it? Its a dog eat dog, or should I say horse eat horse type of world we are in now. If I were smaller I would want a loud m