Ride'm cowboy!!!!!!!!!

--
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up. 
Karen Carter 
Class of '74

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Kathy Du Bois <[log in to unmask]> 

> 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=D68HUNXKLHS 
> 4J&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