Have you ever seen a miniature horse? How about a miniature horse race? This Thanksgiving long weekend Georgian Downs will host its first ever exhibition miniature-horse harness race.

The race of the miniatures will take place on Saturday, October 11 in between the track's regularly scheduled races. These horses will race with harness, sulky and driver a full five-eighths-mile lap around the Georgian Downs oval.

Miniature horses range in size, but the average height is only about 32 inches. Throughout the years they have been bred to be smaller and smaller and some have even grown to be less than 20 inches tall. Originally used as work horses in coal mines and as gifts within European royalty, miniature horses are now used mainly as companions or for show. Some very small miniatures are also trained as guide horses, similar to guide dogs, to help the disabled.

The particular ones that will be appearing at Georgian Downs on Thanksgiving weekend have been trained specifically to be harness racers. The Miniature Horse Club of Ontario has even set out specific race and driving rules comparable to the rules that are in place for their full-size standardbred cousins.

There will be chances to get up close and personal with the miniature horses when they visit the track. The owners and caretakers have allowed their horses to be displayed at the paddock fence line before and after their race. These miniature horses are very friendly and personable, so come out, meet them and see them race -- it's definitely not something you see everyday!

First race post time is 7:25 p.m.

(Georgian Downs)