Guide Horse Foundation for the blind using miniature horse

July 22, 2001

The Guide Horse Foundation

A non-profit charity dedicated to providing free guides for visually

impaired individuals.

Home Page

Mini Horses for Sale New!

Monthly Newsletter

Guide Horse Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

Guide Training

Photographs

Send us an e-mail

How to Donate

News & Events

CBS News Video

Related Reading

How to Apply for a Guide Horse

Our Volunteers

Our Wish List

Legal Access for Individuals and Service Animals

Guide Horses in Movies

Contact Us

Cornwell with Trip

The worlds first horse to fly in the passenger cabin

The Mission:

Our mission is to provide a safe, cost-effective and reliable mobility

alternative for visually impaired people and to deliver trained Guide Horses at

no cost to the recipient. We also have the goal of helping the tiny horses by

providing them with a higher-purpose in life.

The Program:

In early experiments, Guide Horses have shown great promise as a mobility

option, and people who have tried Guide Horses report that the Guide Horses

perform exceptionally well at keeping their person safe.

These friendly horses provide an alternative mobility option for blind

people. People who have tried Guide Horses report that the horses demonstrate

excellent judgment and are not easily distracted by crowds and people.

Guide horses are not for everyone, but there is a strong demand for Guide

Horses among blind horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs, and those who

want a guide animal with a long lifespan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

An international Poll by the Discovery Channel showed that 27% of

respondents would prefer a Guide Horse if they required a guide animal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who is the Ideal Guide Horse Owner?

The Guide Horse Foundation has had exceptional interest from the following

types of people:

a.. Horse lovers - Blind people who have grown up with horses and

understand equine behavior and care are ideal candidates.

b.. Allergenic people - Many people who are severely allergic to

traditional guide animals and find horses a non-allergenic alternative for

mobility.

c.. Mature Individuals - Many people report difficulty dealing with the

grief of losing their animals, and horses tend to live far longer than

traditional guides.

d.. Physically Disabled folks - Because of their docile nature, Guide

Horses are easier to handle for individuals with physical disabilities. They are

also strong enough to provide support, helping the handler to rise from their

chair.

e.. Dog Phobia - Individuals who fear dogs are often comfortable working

with a tiny horse.

f.. Outdoor Animal - Many individuals prefer a guide animal that does

not have to live in the house when off duty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why use a mini horse?

There are many compelling reasons to use miniature horses as guide

animals. Horses are natural guide animals and have been guiding humans for

centuries. In nature, horses have been shown to possess a natural guide

instinct. When another horse goes blind in a herd, a sighted horse accepts

responsibility for the welfare of the blind horse and guides it with the herd.

With humans, many blind people ride horses in equestrian competitions. Some

blind people ride alone on trails for many miles, completely relying on the

horse to guide them safely to their destination. Through history, Cavalry horses

have been known to guide their injured rider to safety. The Guide Horse

Foundation finds several characteristics of horses that make them suitable to

guide the blind:

a.. Calm Nature - Trained horses are extremely calm in chaotic

situations. Cavalry horses have proven that horses can remain calm even in the

extreme heat of battle. Police horses are an excellent example of well trained

horses that deal with stressful situations. Guide Horses undergo the same

systematic desensitization training that is given to riot-control horses.

b.. Great Memory - Horses possess phenomenal memories. A horse will

naturally remember a dangerous situation decades after the occurrence.

c.. Excellent Vision - Because horses have eyes on the sides of their

heads, they have a very wide range of vision, with a range of nearly 350

degrees. They also have outstanding night vision and can see clearly in almost

total darkness.

d.. Focus - Trained horses are very focused on their work and are not

easily distracted. Horses are not addicted to human attention and normally do

not get excited when petted or groomed.

e.. Safety - Naturally safety oriented, horses are constantly on the

lookout for danger. All horses have a natural propensity to guide their master

along the safest most efficient route, and demonstrate excellent judgment in

obstacle avoidance training.

f.. Stamina - Hearty and robust, a properly conditioned Guide Horse can

easily travel many miles in a single outing.

g.. Manners - Guide Horses are very clean and can be housebroken. Horses

do not get fleas and only shed twice per year. Horses are not addicted to human

affection and will stand quietly when on duty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Guide Horse Foundation relies on volunteers to donate, train and

deliver trained Guide Horses free-of-charge to visually impaired individuals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Guide Horse Foundation has the utmost respect for The Seeing Eye® and

their seventy-two years of outstanding work with assistance animals for the

blind. Please note that The Guide Horse Foundation is not affiliated with or

sanctioned by the Seeing-Eye® or any of the Guide Dog training organizations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harness Company has graciously donated tack and blankets for the

Guide Horse Foundation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many Thanks to Sally Chamberlain of Sabre Equine of Stamford, CT who has

volunteered to donate custom Sabre Sneakers for the Guide Horses. For more info

about Sabre Sneakers visit www.sabresneaker.com .

SabreSneak@...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

and Penland of Sweetwater Miniature Horse Farm have

generously offered to donate twenty horses to the Guide Horse Program.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ozark Mountain Miniatures has generously offered to donate equipment for

the Guide Horses. Please visit their site www.minitack.com and remember to say

you heard about them from the Guide Horse Foundation!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many thanks to Glen Isaacs of the Empire Hotel Group (a

former horse trainer) for his donation of accommodations for the Guide Horse

Foundation in New York City.

by Carpenter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cornwell Announces Guide Horse in forthcoming Novel

Cornwell with Trip

Cornwell, author of the NY Times #1 bestseller Black Notice and newly

released The Last Precinct announced that she is planning to incorporate a blind

character with a guide horse in an upcoming novel. Ms. Cornwell visited the

Guide Horse Foundation in Kittrell for research and walked blindfolded with

" Twinkie " on NBC news in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cornwell generously

donated six horses to the Guide horse program (Trip, Cuddles, Squeeze, Silly,

Muncher and Nevada). Cuddles is destined to be the first Guide Horse placed into

fulltime service as a personal Guide for Dan Shaw of Ellsworth, Maine.

Guides Training Press Photos News Apply FAQ Volunteers Wishes Contact Home

Guide Horse ® is a registered trademark of the Guide Horse Foundation Inc.

The Guide Horse Foundation has the utmost respect for The Seeing Eye® and their

seventy-two years of outstanding work with assistance animals for the blind.

Please note that The Guide Horse Foundation is not affiliated with or sanctioned

by the Seeing-Eye® or any of the Guide Dog training organizations. Seeing-Eye®

is a registered trademark of the Seeing-Eye, Inc.

July 22, 2001

At 04:45 AM 7/22/2001 -0400, sionell wisely said:

>Guide Horse Foundation for the blind using miniature horse

>

> The Guide Horse Foundation

>

> A non-profit charity dedicated to providing free guides for

> visually impaired individuals.

>

> Home Page

>

> Mini Horses for Sale New!

>

> Monthly Newsletter

>

> Guide Horse Stories

>

> Frequently Asked Questions

>

> Guide Training

>

> Photographs

>

> Send us an e-mail

>

> How to Donate

>

> News & Events

>

> CBS News Video

>

> Related Reading

>

> How to Apply for a Guide Horse

>

> Our Volunteers

>

> Our Wish List

>

> Legal Access for Individuals and Service Animals

>

> Guide Horses in Movies

>

> Contact Us

>

> Cornwell with Trip

>

> The worlds first horse to fly in the passenger cabin

>

> The Mission:

> Our mission is to provide a safe, cost-effective and reliable

> mobility alternative for visually impaired people and to deliver trained

> Guide Horses at no cost to the recipient. We also have the goal of

> helping the tiny horses by providing them with a higher-purpose in life.

>

> The Program:

>

> In early experiments, Guide Horses have shown great promise as a

> mobility option, and people who have tried Guide Horses report that the

> Guide Horses perform exceptionally well at keeping their person safe.

>

> These friendly horses provide an alternative mobility option for

> blind people. People who have tried Guide Horses report that the horses

> demonstrate excellent judgment and are not easily distracted by crowds

> and people.

>

> Guide horses are not for everyone, but there is a strong demand for

> Guide Horses among blind horse lovers, those who are allergic to dogs,

> and those who want a guide animal with a long lifespan.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> An international Poll by the Discovery Channel showed that 27% of

> respondents would prefer a Guide Horse if they required a guide animal.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Who is the Ideal Guide Horse Owner?

> The Guide Horse Foundation has had exceptional interest from the

> following types of people:

>

> a.. Horse lovers - Blind people who have grown up with horses and

> understand equine behavior and care are ideal candidates.

>

> b.. Allergenic people - Many people who are severely allergic to

> traditional guide animals and find horses a non-allergenic alternative

> for mobility.

>

> c.. Mature Individuals - Many people report difficulty dealing

> with the grief of losing their animals, and horses tend to live far

> longer than traditional guides.

>

> d.. Physically Disabled folks - Because of their docile nature,

> Guide Horses are easier to handle for individuals with physical

> disabilities. They are also strong enough to provide support, helping the

> handler to rise from their chair.

>

> e.. Dog Phobia - Individuals who fear dogs are often comfortable

> working with a tiny horse.

>

> f.. Outdoor Animal - Many individuals prefer a guide animal that

> does not have to live in the house when off duty.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Why use a mini horse?

>

> There are many compelling reasons to use miniature horses as guide

> animals. Horses are natural guide animals and have been guiding humans

> for centuries. In nature, horses have been shown to possess a natural

> guide instinct. When another horse goes blind in a herd, a sighted horse

> accepts responsibility for the welfare of the blind horse and guides it

> with the herd. With humans, many blind people ride horses in equestrian

> competitions. Some blind people ride alone on trails for many miles,

> completely relying on the horse to guide them safely to their

> destination. Through history, Cavalry horses have been known to guide

> their injured rider to safety. The Guide Horse Foundation finds several

> characteristics of horses that make them suitable to guide the blind:

>

> a.. Calm Nature - Trained horses are extremely calm in chaotic

> situations. Cavalry horses have proven that horses can remain calm even

> in the extreme heat of battle. Police horses are an excellent example of

> well trained horses that deal with stressful situations. Guide Horses

> undergo the same systematic desensitization training that is given to

> riot-control horses.

>

> b.. Great Memory - Horses possess phenomenal memories. A horse

> will naturally remember a dangerous situation decades after the occurrence.

>

> c.. Excellent Vision - Because horses have eyes on the sides of

> their heads, they have a very wide range of vision, with a range of

> nearly 350 degrees. They also have outstanding night vision and can see

> clearly in almost total darkness.

>

> d.. Focus - Trained horses are very focused on their work and are

> not easily distracted. Horses are not addicted to human attention and

> normally do not get excited when petted or groomed.

>

> e.. Safety - Naturally safety oriented, horses are constantly on

> the lookout for danger. All horses have a natural propensity to guide

> their master along the safest most efficient route, and demonstrate

> excellent judgment in obstacle avoidance training.

>

> f.. Stamina - Hearty and robust, a properly conditioned Guide

> Horse can easily travel many miles in a single outing.

>

> g.. Manners - Guide Horses are very clean and can be housebroken.

> Horses do not get fleas and only shed twice per year. Horses are not

> addicted to human affection and will stand quietly when on duty.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> The Guide Horse Foundation relies on volunteers to donate, train

> and deliver trained Guide Horses free-of-charge to visually impaired

> individuals.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> The Guide Horse Foundation has the utmost respect for The Seeing

> Eye® and their seventy-two years of outstanding work with assistance

> animals for the blind. Please note that The Guide Horse Foundation is not

> affiliated with or sanctioned by the Seeing-Eye® or any of the Guide Dog

> training organizations.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Harness Company has graciously donated tack and blankets for

> the Guide Horse Foundation.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Many Thanks to Sally Chamberlain of Sabre Equine of Stamford, CT

> who has volunteered to donate custom Sabre Sneakers for the Guide Horses.

> For more info about Sabre Sneakers visit www.sabresneaker.com .

>

> SabreSneak@...

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> and Penland of Sweetwater Miniature Horse Farm have

> generously offered to donate twenty horses to the Guide Horse Program.

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Ozark Mountain Miniatures has generously offered to donate

> equipment for the Guide Horses. Please visit their site www.minitack.com

> and remember to say you heard about them from the Guide Horse Foundation!

>

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Many thanks to Glen Isaacs of the Empire Hotel

> Group (a former horse trainer) for his donation of

> accommodations for the Guide Horse Foundation in New York City.

>

> by Carpenter

>

>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

-

>

> Cornwell Announces Guide Horse in forthcoming Novel

>

> Cornwell with Trip

>

> Cornwell, author of the NY Times #1 bestseller Black Notice and

>newly released The Last Precinct announced that she is planning to

>incorporate a blind character with a guide horse in an upcoming novel. Ms.

>Cornwell visited the Guide Horse Foundation in Kittrell for research and

>walked blindfolded with " Twinkie " on NBC news in Raleigh, North Carolina.

> Cornwell generously donated six horses to the Guide horse

>program (Trip, Cuddles, Squeeze, Silly, Muncher and Nevada). Cuddles is

>destined to be the first Guide Horse placed into fulltime service as a

>personal Guide for Dan Shaw of Ellsworth, Maine.

>

>Guides Training Press Photos News Apply FAQ Volunteers Wishes Contact Home

>

>Guide Horse ® is a registered trademark of the Guide Horse Foundation Inc.

>

>The Guide Horse Foundation has the utmost respect for The Seeing Eye® and

>their seventy-two years of outstanding work with assistance animals for

>the blind. Please note that The Guide Horse Foundation is not affiliated

>with or sanctioned by the Seeing-Eye® or any of the Guide Dog training

>organizations. Seeing-Eye® is a registered trademark of the Seeing-Eye, Inc.

>

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