Bizarre Sight-Miniature Guide Horse

SaddleSore · 02-07-08, 01:10 PM

I saw the most strange thing the other day-a miniature horse being used as a guide animal. I didn't talk to the lady because I did not want to disturb a working animal but I looked it up when I got home and sure enough, miniatures are sometimes used as guides.

But I wonder about the home situation-where does the horse do it's business?!

equinolo · 02-09-08, 11:39 PM

The horse does its business outside, just like a guide dog does. They are house trained.
Dan Shaw and Cuddles were the first team, he lives in Maine, USA and has been on Oprah. He has a website but it seems to not be working as much as it used to.
http://danandcuddles.com/

flatback_frannie · 02-10-08, 05:34 PM

I love the idea of a guide horse! I am not much of a dog person, but you can bet I would love to have a mini guiding me if I lost my sight.

Rameses · 02-10-08, 09:43 PM

I think it's a novel idea - but very limited. I can't imagine these horses in close quarters like bus stations, stores or the like. As small as they are, their size simply does not allow them to be out of the way.

outie · 02-11-08, 02:44 PM

Thank you for sharing the story and also to whom shared the link. I never knew a horse could do this but it seems more than interesting to read up on.

HairyHorse · 02-11-08, 07:06 PM

Actually yes, they can cope with all the things that a guide dog copes with, including shops. As odd as that seems, they do fine.

ridesalot · 02-11-08, 09:09 PM

My friend who has Cerebral Palsy sent me an e-mail today about this. She has been looking into getting a guide dog and then heard about this program. She would much rather have the pony, but is not sure that it could fulfill all of her needs.

02-07-08, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	Bizarre Sight-Miniature Guide Horse I saw the most strange thing the other day-a miniature horse being used as a guide animal. I didn't talk to the lady because I did not want to disturb a working animal but I looked it up when I got home and sure enough, miniatures are sometimes used as guides. But I wonder about the home situation-where does the horse do it's business?!

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02-09-08, 11:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
equinolo Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Posts: 25	The horse does its business outside, just like a guide dog does. They are house trained. Dan Shaw and Cuddles were the first team, he lives in Maine, USA and has been on Oprah. He has a website but it seems to not be working as much as it used to. http://danandcuddles.com/

02-10-08, 05:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
flatback_frannie Member Join Date: 01-06-08 Posts: 129	I love the idea of a guide horse! I am not much of a dog person, but you can bet I would love to have a mini guiding me if I lost my sight.

02-10-08, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rameses Member Join Date: 01-19-08 Posts: 32	I think it's a novel idea - but very limited. I can't imagine these horses in close quarters like bus stations, stores or the like. As small as they are, their size simply does not allow them to be out of the way.

02-11-08, 02:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
outie Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 25	Thank you for sharing the story and also to whom shared the link. I never knew a horse could do this but it seems more than interesting to read up on.

02-11-08, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
HairyHorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 50	Actually yes, they can cope with all the things that a guide dog copes with, including shops. As odd as that seems, they do fine.

02-11-08, 09:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
ridesalot Member Join Date: 02-03-08 Posts: 25	My friend who has Cerebral Palsy sent me an e-mail today about this. She has been looking into getting a guide dog and then heard about this program. She would much rather have the pony, but is not sure that it could fulfill all of her needs.