Is this the smallest foal you’ve ever seen? Meet Microdave
He may be minuscule, but American miniature Microdave has been causing plenty of mischief since his birth earlier this month (11 June).
The overo colt with blue eyes is by Little Dave, a British Show Pony Association graded American miniature stallion.
He stood at just 12-inches-tall when he was pictured at three days old, and is destined for a career in the showring.
Microdave has already settled into his yard at Upper Haysden, Kent, and enjoys galloping between fields — no area is off-limit for the tiny foal since he can fit under the fences.
“He’s doing very well and is getting naughtier and naughtier,” his owner Jen Baldwin Murphy told H&H.
“He gallops in and out of the field under the fence with his mum going frantic. I need to put fencing underneath so he can’t escape.
“I have converted a hay barn into miniature stables with low enough doors.
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“People can’t believe how small he is, when you stand next to him his withers are below your knee.
“He’s been so popular — it’s been absolutely non-stop with visitors. I have to check people’s pockets as they leave to check they haven’t stolen him.”
Mrs Baldwin Murphy also owns Microdave’s dam, Looking Glass Rustys Red Ribbon (Barbie), who is also an American miniature.
“I’ve only kept miniatures for two years — they’re my relaxation from the big guys,” said the showing and dressage rider who runs Haysden Liveries.
“They [American miniatures] are getting more and more popular. People import them from the US and they are getting quite a following. Some people just have them as pets.”
Mrs Baldwin Murphy had originally planned to sell on the foal but when she saw Microdave’s unusual colouring and blue eyes she was determined to keep him.
“I hope to show him in the future,” she added.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.