Miniature Horses As Guide Animals

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a
guide animal for the blind? Usually we think of dogs Have you
given thought to the use of miniature horses? The number of
miniature horses as guide animals has steadily risen since 1999
The use of horses rather than dogs has several benefits They
are great for horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs and
for the person who wishes to have an animal with a longer life
span
Ideal candidates for miniature horses include horse enthusiasts
who have an understanding of equine behavior and their care
Those who are severely allergic to traditional guide animals
benefit from using horses Mature individuals who have a
difficult time dealing with the grief of the loss of a guide
animal will be delighted with a horse’s longer life span People
with a phobia of dogs will benefit from a miniature horse The
physically disabled will love the docile nature, which makes the
horse easier to handle A horse is sturdy enough to provide
support such as aiding its handler to rise from a chair For
those who prefer their animal live outdoors when off duty, the
miniature horse is ideal
Why consider a horse at all? They are natural guides In a herd,
if one horse becomes blind, one of the other horses will take on
the responsibility for that horse, becoming its guide
Historically, Calvary horses are known to guide injured riders
to safety
Miniature horses have several characteristics that make them
ideal guide animals They are cost effective Their long life
span is a demonstration of this It takes a several thousands of
dollars to train a guide animal A miniature horse has a
lifespan of thirty to forty years as compared with the seven to
eight year life span of a dog Horses are better accepted in
public places People view horses as a service animal rather
than a pet Horses tend to be calm in nature Calvary and police
horses demonstrate this well These horses must be steady in
chaotic situations Guide horses receive the same
desensitization training that riot control horses receive
Horses have excellent memories They instinctually recall
dangerous situations decades later Horses have phenomenal
vision Their range of vision is nearly 350 degrees They are
the only animal capable of independent eye movement and can see
clearly in near total darkness Trained horses are extremely
focused and are not easily distracted Horses are always on the
lookout for danger and will find the safest, most efficient
route possible and will avoid obstacles that obstruct their
path Horses are hardy and can travel many miles in a single
outing Miniature horses also have excellent manners! They are
very clean and can be housebroken They don’t tend to get fleas
and only shed two times per year And, they will stand quietly
while on duty
While dogs are excellent guide animals and shouldn’t be
discredited, miniature horses are gaining on them in popularity
With so many positive traits to their credit, they are
definitely an option to consider

Tags | animal, docile, dollars, enthusiasts, horse, horses, police, result, situations