-------------- 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
& gt; > 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 o f 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
> & gt; 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 Hor se 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 Ob stacle 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 tau ght 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 skil ls.
> >
> > - 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 ho rse 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 l ive
> > 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.
> >
> > - T eam 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.g uidehorse.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.guid ehorse.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/m ini_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/p hoto_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