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Seeing Eye Horse?
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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
5:32:00 AM EST
Hearing Nothing at the moment
Now, this is something I never would have thought of: Using minature horses as guide animals:
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. Not only is it emotionally difficult for one's constant companion to die of old age, but if a blind person gets a new guide dog, he or she must repeat the training process each time. While a miniature guide horse requires roughly the same amount of time to train, it has a typical life expectancy of 30-40 years.
I have to admit that when I first read the article I wondered if it wasn't just another Web hoax. But if it is, it's a pretty sophisticated one, because there's a Guide Horse Foundation Web site and everything. Assuming it is real, I think this is a very cool idea.
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5:32:00 AM EST
Hearing Nothing at the moment
Seeing Eye Horse?
Now, this is something I never would have thought of: Using minature horses as guide animals:
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. Not only is it emotionally difficult for one's constant companion to die of old age, but if a blind person gets a new guide dog, he or she must repeat the training process each time. While a miniature guide horse requires roughly the same amount of time to train, it has a typical life expectancy of 30-40 years.
I have to admit that when I first read the article I wondered if it wasn't just another Web hoax. But if it is, it's a pretty sophisticated one, because there's a Guide Horse Foundation Web site and everything. Assuming it is real, I think this is a very cool idea.
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This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)
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i am not sure if I would feel comfortable getting on a bus in the city and seeing a horse. i get freaked just seeing the dogs. But it ain't about me and so I say whatever floats your boat.
Amy
http://journals.aol.com/visionarydiva1/ABookClubforJLanders /
http://journals.aol.com/visionarydiva1/AVisionaryDiva/ -
If you find a guy with a seeing eye horse, hang out beside the horse and use a Mr. Ed voice to talk to him.
12/13/05 3:37 PM
Awesome entry... it says tath we used ot use the smal horses this way in our past..what in the seventeen hundreds?! Your points are also very well taken. hugs
nat