Rare Argentine Falabella horses, costing thousands of pounds, have been stolen from a farm in Kent. The two miniature horses – a breeding pair consisting of a stallion and a mare – were taken from a property on Marsh Green Road near Edenbridge sometime between 8pm on May 27 and 1am on May 28, according to Kent Police. Officers were called after a damaged gate was discovered, indicating forced entry.
World’s smallest horse breed
The stolen animals are Argentine Falabellas, widely recognised as the smallest horse breed in the world. Originating from Argentina, these horses typically stand between 28 and 34 inches (approximately 2ft 4in to 2ft 10in) at the withers; the two taken are described as 2ft 8in tall, squarely within the breed’s standard height range.
Despite their diminutive size, Falabellas are bred to retain the proportions of a full-sized horse, with a compact, elegant build and fine bone structure. They come in a variety of colours, including bay, black, chestnut, palomino, pinto and Appaloosa patterns. The stolen stallion is white with brown spots, while the mare is black.
The breed is known for its gentle, docile, intelligent and affectionate temperament, making them suitable as companions, for therapy work, driving and even as guide horses for the visually impaired. They also have a distinctive anatomy: Falabellas often possess 17 vertebrae instead of the usual 18, may have fewer ribs, and their hearts are proportionally larger than those of standard-sized horses. With proper care, they can live into their 30s or even 40s.
Such rarity comes at a price. Purebred Falabellas typically cost between £1,500 and £6,000, according to breed information. Breeders in the UK, including Sandbeck Stud and Equuleus Falabella Stud, emphasise that true Falabellas must have bloodlines traceable back to Argentina, and that DNA testing confirms parentage but not necessarily the breed itself.
Police appeal for help
Kent Police have conducted CCTV enquiries in the area and have released images of the stolen stallion in a bid to locate the animals. A force spokesperson urged anyone with information to come forward.
“CCTV, dashcam footage and witnesses are sought by officers investigating the reported theft of two rare miniature horses near Edenbridge,” the spokesperson said. “Investigators are now able to release images of the stallion and are appealing to members of the public for help to find them. Anyone with information is urged to call the west Kent appeals line quoting reference 46/85133/26. Local residents with private CCTV or drivers with dashcam, who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, are also asked to check for footage.”
Horse theft is a recognised issue, with small ponies particularly vulnerable due to their size making them easier to load into vehicles. Previous incidents include the theft of a miniature pony from stables in Soham, Cambridgeshire in 2025, and two miniature horses taken from a paralysed owner in Surrey in 2013. Edenbridge itself has seen recent criminal activity: in March 2026, two men were arrested in Sevenoaks shortly after a shop theft in the town, and in April 2025 a suspected thief was arrested after a dangerous driving incident linked to a fuel theft.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the stolen Falabellas should contact Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/85133/26.
