groveChuck
U-matic Member
Mini Mr. Ed?
http://www.damninteresting.com/miniature-guide-horses-for-the-blind
The first training schools for guide dogs were established in Germany during the First World War, to enhance the mobility of veterans who were blinded in combat. And the United States’ Seeing Eye began training guide dogs seventy-six years ago, in 1929. It wasn’t until six years ago that somebody got the idea to train miniature horses for the same purpose, but it turns out there are a few surprising advantages to using a minihorse as an alternative to a dog.
Perhaps the most compelling advantage is the animals’ lifespans. Most of the dogs which are trained as guide dogs are large breeds– usually German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, or Labradors– which have typical lifespans of 8-12 years. Considering that a dog is in its second year by the time it is ready to be used as a guide, a seeing-eye dog can only offer about 6-8 years of service.
While a miniature guide horse requires roughly the same amount of time to train, it has a typical life expectancy of 30-40 years. Guide horses also offer a viable alternative when a blind individual has an allergy to dogs, or a dog-related phobia. And unlike domestic dogs, minihorses are not addicted to human attention, so they are content with little affection from their owners. They are also able to live outdoors comfortably in almost any weather conditions.
Miniature horses, like their full-sized relatives, have a few advantages in vision as well. They have a field of vision which is 350 degrees wide, and eyes which are highly sensitive to motion. They also have excellent night vision, which allows them to see in almost total darkness. Because of these advantages, often a miniature horse in training will detect a potential hazard before their sighted trainers do.
A guide horse uses a harness similar to that of a guide dog, and is outfitted with special horse sneakers * to help them keep traction on a variety of surfaces.
* Air Secretariats?
http://www.damninteresting.com/miniature-guide-horses-for-the-blind
The first training schools for guide dogs were established in Germany during the First World War, to enhance the mobility of veterans who were blinded in combat. And the United States’ Seeing Eye began training guide dogs seventy-six years ago, in 1929. It wasn’t until six years ago that somebody got the idea to train miniature horses for the same purpose, but it turns out there are a few surprising advantages to using a minihorse as an alternative to a dog.
While a miniature guide horse requires roughly the same amount of time to train, it has a typical life expectancy of 30-40 years. Guide horses also offer a viable alternative when a blind individual has an allergy to dogs, or a dog-related phobia. And unlike domestic dogs, minihorses are not addicted to human attention, so they are content with little affection from their owners. They are also able to live outdoors comfortably in almost any weather conditions.
Miniature horses, like their full-sized relatives, have a few advantages in vision as well. They have a field of vision which is 350 degrees wide, and eyes which are highly sensitive to motion. They also have excellent night vision, which allows them to see in almost total darkness. Because of these advantages, often a miniature horse in training will detect a potential hazard before their sighted trainers do.
* Air Secretariats?
