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<1=_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
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