Wow-we!  Now, there's a pretty picture.  Wait till he falls off though!

--
Carol
[log in to unmask]




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: Miniature Horses as Guides


> There is a guy here in Maine that has one of these horses.  I guess that 
> he really likes it.  It's novel enough so that he attracts a lot of 
> attention. Personally, I think that this would be perfect for Phil.  He 
> already has the hat and boots.  the horse would complete the picture. 
> GRIN!
> Kathy
>
>
> At 10:23 PM 8/16/2006, you wrote:
>>Hi guys!
>>
>>This is especially for Phil, as you've told me you'd rather have a horse 
>>as guide than a dog.  Thought you might like to read this.
>>
>>Sharon
>>
>>                Training Miniature Horses  as Guide Animals
>>
>>   In 1999, Janet and Don Burleson completed a successful feasibility
>>   study with miniature horses as assistance animals for the visually
>>   disabled. Janet is a retired professional horse trainer with over 30
>>   years of full-time horse training experience and an extensive record
>>   of success in training performance horses.
>>
>>   While Don and Janet Burleson only intended to develop a training
>>   program, they were overwhelmed with requests from blind horse lovers
>>   asking for a trained Guide Horse. Although she was confident in her
>>   skills as a retired professional horse trainer, Janet Burleson needed
>>   to learn what a guide animal must know in order to keep their handler
>>   safe.
>>
>>   The initial training has shown great promise, and two tiny Guide
>>   Horses have already been trained to guide blind people in public. The
>>   prototype, a 14 year-old dwarf mare horse named Twinkie, has
>>   successfully guided blind people in a host of environments, including
>>   shopping malls and congested urban areas with heavy traffic. Nine
>>   other horses are currently undergoing training, and the Guide Horse
>>   Foundation also has a substantial waiting list of blind people who
>>   have applied for a Guide Horse.
>>
>>   Once the Guide Horse Foundation announced the result of their
>>   feasibility study, the ability of horses to guide the blind was
>>   confirmed from a number of independent sources. We received numerous
>>   responses from blind people who ride horses, both in competitions and
>>   on trails, and they confirmed our findings that the horse is a capable
>>   guide. One blind woman  stated that she sometimes uses her full-sized
>>   horse as her Guide Horse. She says that her horse makes allowances for
>>   her needs and walks beside her for miles in the woods, gently nudging
>>   her whenever she strays from the trail.
>>     _________________________________________________________________
>>
>>   Horse Intelligence Testing
>>
>>   All candidate horses for the Guide Horse program are given a [46]field
>>   intelligence test prior to acceptance into the Guide Horse program.
>>   Guide Horse training is mentally demanding on the horse, and the Guide
>>   Horse Foundation only accepts horses that demonstrate the cognitive
>>   ability to successfully complete the training program.
>>
>>   Horse Training Theory
>>
>>   While horses do not possess complex reasoning skills, miniature horses
>>   are quite intelligent and excel at tasks that require long-term memory
>>   skills.  There is been a great deal of research into the cognitive
>>   psychology of horses, most notably by the Equine Research Foundation
>>   of Horse Learning and Behavior.  They have done extensive clinical
>>   research on horse intelligence and are most noted for proving the
>>   theorem that a horses ability to learn is directly proportional to
>>   their prior learning.  In other words, the more a horse learns, the
>>   greater their capacity for future learning.  Noted animal learning
>>   expert, Professor Emeritus [48]Frank A. Logan also provides comments
>>   regarding [49]horse learning.
>>
>>   The Guide Horse training approach
>>
>>   Training any assistance animal requires an in-depth understanding of
>>   animal behavior. Because equine behavior is generic to all horse
>>   breeds, any professional horse trainer can start the initial training
>>   of the assistance horse, teaching it to accept the harness, and
>>   start/stop on command. Advanced training involves training the horse
>>   not to react to environmental distractions, to avoid obstacles and to
>>   recognize all potential dangers. The idea is to create a team, person
>>   and horse, working together and understanding one another.
>>
>>   While no formal documentation exists for training guide horses, our
>>   trainers use the horse training methods and techniques developed from
>>   a variety of sources. Don and Janet employ some techniques developed
>>   by [50]John Lyons, a world-renowned horse trainer.  Don and Janet also
>>   rely on the basic principles of operant conditioning, and apply the
>>   animal training concepts originally described by [51]B. F. Skinner,
>>   the famous behavioral psychologist.
>>
>>   Even though horse training is vastly different from dog training, the
>>   Guide Horse Foundation worked closely with guide dog trainers,
>>   orientation and mobility specialists and experienced guide dog users
>>   to understand what a guide animal needs to know to keep their handler
>>   safe at all times.  The Guide Horse Foundation also performed
>>   exhaustive research, studying all available training methods and
>>   techniques from the major guide dog training schools throughout the
>>   world.
>>
>>   Guide Horse Training involves the following areas of training:
>>
>>   - Basic Lead Training - This involves training the Guide Horse to move
>>   forward at an appropriate speed and respond to verbal commands. The
>>   Guide Horse is also trained to negotiate everyday obstacles, and they
>>   learn to enter escalators, elevators, climb stairs, and lie down on
>>   command.
>>
>>   - Voice Command Recognition - The guide horse is trained to respond to
>>   23 voice commands, enabling the handler to direct the guide in any
>>   circumstance.
>>
>>   - Stationary Obstacle Avoidance - A guide horse must be able to alert
>>   the handler to obstacles in their path. Miniature horses avoid
>>   obstacles quite naturally, and only need to be taught that the handler
>>   is an appendage of themselves. In this way, the horse is taught to
>>   avoid low overheads and other stationary obstacles. The horse must be
>>   able to navigate sidewalks and streets, avoiding all obstacles,
>>   including any protrusions that may injure its handler. The Guide
>>   Horses must also be able to ignore all distractions while guiding, and
>>   all Guide Horses are thoroughly trained and tested to ensure that they
>>   will not "spook and run" while guiding.
>>
>>   - Moving Obstacle Avoidance - This phase of training requires the
>>   Guide Horse to avoid any moving obstacles that threaten to impede
>>   their path.  These obstacles include pedestrians, cyclists, motor
>>   vehicles, and any moving object that may impede the progress of the
>>   handler.  This is one of the most important areas of guide training
>>   and this training requires the Guide Horses to demonstrate absolute
>>   proficiency before graduation.
>>
>>   - Surface Elevation Change Recognition - This phase of training
>>   requires the Guide Horse to recognize and signal the handler upon
>>   approaching any change in surface elevation, including ramps, steps,
>>   stairs and curbs.  This involves training the Guide Horse to signal
>>   the handler and pause upon reaching any steps or curbs, thus signaling
>>   the handler that a step-up of step-down will be required.  Because the
>>   Guide Horse walks two paces ahead of the handler, the handler learns
>>   to accurately time the point at which the step begins.
>>
>>   - [52]Housebreaking - Despite common belief, horses do possess bladder
>>   control, and many horses develop the habit of "going" only in a
>>   specific area. For excursions under 6 hours, the guide horse can be
>>   relied upon to maintain bladder control. Just as dog owners are
>>   required to utilize pooper-scoopers, Guide Horses on long excursions
>>   can be fitted with a plastic lined poo-bag that catches droppings and
>>   allows for easy disposal.
>>
>>   - Intelligent Disobedience - The Guide Horse is trained to disregard
>>   any commands from their handler that would be unsafe for either the
>>   Guide Horse or the Handler.  This is the phase of training where the
>>   horse is taught to rely on their judgment to keep their owner safe at
>>   all times.
>>   The Handler training approach
>>
>>   When candidates are evaluated for acceptance into the Guide Horse
>>   program they must demonstrate proficiency with basic orientation and
>>   mobility skills.  While the vast majority of the candidates are
>>   experienced guide dog or cane users, we require all candidates to
>>   undergo basic training to ensure their ability to use their Guide
>>   Horse.
>>
>>   Only certified handlers are allowed to use a Guide Horse, even in
>>   training situations.  The handler training phase includes the
>>   following phases and activities:
>>
>>   Phase I: Candidate Evaluation
>>
>>   Prior to acceptance into the Guide Horse program, all candidates are
>>   evaluated for their orientation and mobility skills.
>>
>>   - The Juno Walk - All candidates are evaluated for their ability to
>>   use a guide animal by walking with an artificial Guide Horse named
>>   Juno.  The candidates are evaluated to ensure that they will be able
>>   to communicate with a guide animal before being allowed to begin
>>   training with a live Guide Horse.
>>
>>   - Orientation and Mobility Skills - The Guide Horse Foundation
>>   requires all candidates to attend certified orientation and mobility
>>   courses to ensure that each candidate possesses basic orientation
>>   skills.
>>
>>   Phase II: Introductory Training
>>
>>   During this phase the candidate attends classroom training and basic
>>   lead training.
>>
>>   - Animal Care Training - All candidates will attended lectures by a
>>   licensed equine Veterinarian, a horse care specialist and a farrier to
>>   completely understand the proper care, feeding grooming and housing
>>   for their Guide Horse.
>>
>>   - Orientation and Mobility Refresher Training - The Guide Horse
>>   Foundation hires certified orientation and mobility trainers to ensure
>>   that each candidate can demonstrate basic orientation skills.
>>
>>   - Basic Lead Training - All candidates are evaluated for their ability
>>   to effectively communicate with a guide animal.  The candidates learn
>>   the 23 voice commands and are tested to ensure that they understand
>>   how signals are communicated through the harness and reins before
>>   being allowed to begin training with a live Guide Horse.
>>
>>   Upon passing the testing for this phase, the candidate becomes
>>   certified as an apprentice handler, and they are allowed to use a live
>>   Guide Horse in a training setting.
>>
>>   Phase III: Advanced Training
>>
>>   This phase involves team selection and advanced training of the new
>>   Guide team.
>>
>>   - Team Selection - Following basic training, the apprentice handlers
>>   are given the opportunity to work as a team with several Guide
>>   Horses.  While each Guide horse is multi-gated, there are still
>>   variations in "feel", speed, pressure and personality between Guide
>>   Horses. The team selection process relies on the evaluation of the
>>   apprentice handler and the trainer, and both the apprentice handler
>>   and trainer work toward selecting the best-fit team in terms of
>>   disposition, personality and performance. At the end of this phase the
>>   apprentice handler will have chosen a suitable Guide Horse.
>>
>>   - Team Training - This is the final phase of training and focuses on
>>   the training of the candidate and horse as a team.  During this phase
>>   the team demonstrates proficiency with the 23 voice commands and
>>   learns to read signals from the Guide Horse via changes to rein and
>>   handle pressure.  Once bonded, the team undergoes extensive training,
>>   especially in the areas of street crossing and intelligent
>>   disobedience.  The team must demonstrate absolute proficiency at
>>   potentially dangerous situations such as street crossings before
>>   graduating from this phase of training. The apprentice handler is also
>>   taught to maintain the proficiency of the Guide to ensure that
>>   training does not degrade after delivery.
>>
>>   Phase IV: Delivery and certification of the team
>>
>>   Only after the successful completion of all areas of training is the
>>   apprentice handler graduated to "handler" status, and the handler and
>>   the Guide Horse are then certified as a team by the Guide Horse
>>   Foundation.
>>
>>   - Home Area Training - The final stage of training involves traveling
>>   with the handler to their home.  The team is then evaluated on their
>>   home turf and the trainer ensures that the new tram is able to
>>   negotiate all of the regular travels for the team.
>>
>>   - Follow-up visits - Following delivery of the team, the trainer
>>   conducts periodic follow-ups to make sure that the team continues to
>>   be safe and effective.  If the handler experiences any problem, the
>>   handler may visit the team for additional on-site training.
>>
>>      [53]Guides [54]Training [55]Press [56]Photos [57]News [58]Apply
>>                  [59]FAQ [60]Wishes [61]Contact [62]Home
>>
>>    Helping Hooves
>>   Training Miniature Horses as Guide Animals for the Blind
>>
>>   Janet Burleson
>>   Contains over 100 all-color photo's!
>>   Retail Price $27.95 / #20.75
>>
>>   - Help the Guide Horse Foundation give free Guides
>>   - Author royalties benefit the Guide Horse Foundation
>>
>>   Only $19.95
>>
>>   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. Even though the press often calls our horses
>>   "seeing eye horses", 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.
>>
>>References
>>
>>   Visible links
>>   1.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/text_only_master.htm
>>2.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/index.htm
>>3.
>>http://www.rampant-books.com/book_2004_2_helping_hooves.htm
>>4. form field = text entry field
>>   5. form field = submit button
>>   6. form field = text entry field
>>   7. form field = submit button
>>   8. form field = radio button
>>   9. form field = radio button
>>  10. form field = radio button
>>  11. form field = image-submit button
>>  12.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/
>>13.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/training_seminars_clinics_classes.htm
>>14.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/contact.htm
>>15.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/faq.htm
>>16.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/training.htm
>>17.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/photo_page.htm
>>18.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/misconceptions.htm
>>19.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/news_events.htm
>>20.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/related.htm
>>21.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/application.htm
>>22.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/wishes.htm
>>23.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/DOJ.htm
>>24.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/films.htm
>>25.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/law_n_news.htm
>>26.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/law_n_news.htm
>>27.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/book.htm
>>28.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/pennys_ponies.htm
>>29.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/guide_horse_candidates_menu.htm
>>30.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/mini_horse_rescue.htm
>>31.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/miniature_horse_adoption.htm
>>32.
>>http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?o=1&l=as1&f=ifr&t=rampanttechpr-20&dev-t=D68HUNXKLHS4J&p=8&asins=0974448605&IS2=1&IS2=1&lt1=_blank
>>33. LYNXIMGMAP:http://www.guidehorse.org/training.htm#boxmap-p8
>>  34.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/lisa.htm
>>35.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/lisa.htm
>>36.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/photo_lesser.htm
>>37.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/photo_lesser.htm
>>38.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/pennys_pony.htm
>>39.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/photo_lesser.htm
>>40.
>>http://www.ucomics.com/nonsequitur/
>>41.
>>http://www.mini-horse.org/
>>42.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/mini_horse_rescue.htm
>>43.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/pennys/menu_pennys_ponies.htm
>>44.
>>http://www.dba-oracle.com/grand_turk_hotels/t_grand_turk_hotels.htm
>>45.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/press.htm
>>46.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/intellig.htm
>>47.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/intellig.htm
>>48.
>>http://www.unm.edu/~quadl/
>>49.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/logan.htm
>>50.
>>http://www.johnlyons.com/
>>51.
>>http://www.sntp.net/behaviorism/skinner.htm
>>52.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/housebreaking.htm
>>53.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/reasons.htm
>>54.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/training.htm
>>55.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/press.htm
>>56.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/photo_page.htm
>>57.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/news_events.htm
>>58.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/application.htm
>>59.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/faq.htm
>>60.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/wishes.htm
>>61.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/contact.htm
>>62.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/index.htm
>>63.
>>http://rampant.cc/cart/catalog/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=33&osCsid=44b0b51dead5fc7b20d1f2af5e1cdce4
>>
>>Hidden links:
>>  64.
>>http://www.burleson-arabians.com/
>>65.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/misconceptions.htm
>>66.
>>http://www.guidehorse.org/contact.htm