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