Miniature horses

In competition their conformation is judged based on a more horse-like apperance. Ponies tend to be more draft horse like or stocky. Miniature horses also have more dog-like personalities than ponies. Ponies are notoriously naughty.

A pony is characterized not only by its height but also by having a large head, short legs, thick coats, tiny ears, and very thick, fuzzy manes and tails. They also tend to have a very stubborn, "naughty" pony which many people call the "Pony Attitude". I even used to ride a full-sized horse (a warmblood no less!) who had the "Pony Attitude". Man, he could really be a booger.

A miniature horse is just that, a horse in miniature size. Their heads and legs are proportionate to their bodies and they tend to lack the "Pony Attitude". However, they also seem to have a unique attitude all their own. They're very intelligent, quiet, happy to be where they are, and adapt to change ridiculously well.

I absolutely agree with you.  Ponies are under 14 hands, 2 inches. Ponies are ponies.  I had a Connemara pony that looked better than most thoroughbreds, she was NOT a horse, she was a pony.  Many of the horses today that are showing at the Grand Prix level are large, big boned warmbloods, so the idea that miniature horses look more like horses (in conformation) no longer holds true.  Horses, animals standing 14 hands, 2 inches come in many shapes and sizes, some have feathers on their legs.  Any animal under 14 hands, 2 inches is a pony....like, a pony by any other name is still a pony. 

Warmblood has nothing what-so-ever to do with temperature of the blood.