Cosley Zoo's 1st Miniature Horse, Dolly, To 'Create Connections'

WHEATON, IL — Dolly may stand at less than three feet tall, but she's set to make a big impact as the first miniature horse at Cosley Zoo. The 18-year-old Falabella horse comes to the zoo from a Falabella breeder in Wisconsin, Cosley's Marketing Director Margie Wilhelmi told Patch.

Wilhelmi said the zoo has had small Shetland ponies in the past, but has never had a miniature horse. She added that Shetland ponies are slightly larger than the Falabella miniature horse, which is typically under 34 inches tall.

Though Dolly hasn't (yet!) been trained to get on a scale, Wilhelmi said Falabella horses typically weigh around 150 pounds. An adult horse usually weighs around 1,000 pounds, so it's easy to imagine how much smaller Dolly is.

Visitors don't have to settle for imagining, though. They can visit Dolly in person at Cosley Zoo among the other farm animals.

You can even pet Dolly, if she'll allow it.

"She does like attention and can often be found by the fence seeking a few snuggles," Wilhelmi shared.

At Cosley, Dolly will serve as "an ambassador for her species," according to Wilhelmi.

She added, "Cosley Zoo endeavors to create connections between people and animals that will enhance appreciation for the important role animals play in our lives and how we affect theirs. Dolly will have a very important job at Cosley Zoo as she helps to create these connections through guest interactions and educational opportunities."