Miniature horses are as sweet and lovable as dogs are, and as recently as 1999 they have started becoming guides and therapists. Since guide dogs are in short supply, some miniature horse owners attempted to train them to work as guide horses for the blind. It turned out to be a huge success. Miniature horses are prey animals; therefore, nature has equipped them with long memories, which makes them perfect to be guide animals.
Miniature horses not only function as guides, but they are also trained to render emotional support for those with certain forms of mental illness. Miniature horses in the service of mobility and therapy have special rights, just as a service dog would have. A miniature horse may actually be a better choice for people with disabilities. A person that is wheelchair bound, but does not have the strength or the eyesight to manage an electric wheelchair, may be pulled by a miniature horse that has been trained to do so.
Why might a person choose a miniature horse as a guide or therapy animal?
There are people who grew up around horses but never bonded with dogs. They may have a special rapport with horses. Those people understand horses and how they behave.
Horses live longer lives than dogs do generally. For someone who is going to need a guide or therapy animal over a long period of years will benefit from having a miniature horse.
People who are highly allergic to dogs can benefit from a horse because they are naturally non-allergic animals.
Miniature horses are stable enough to assist those with physical disabilities. Those that cannot lower themselves into a chair or rise out of one can be supported by the miniature horse, with no discomfort to the horse.
Miniature horses are cute and non-threatening; someone afraid of dogs may bond very closely to a tiny horse.
Many people don't like animals living in their homes, so a miniature horse can be a wonderful choice because they can live very comfortably outside in a horse barn, until they are called upon for duty.
Miniature horses make such good guides because it is in their nature to lead. The Guide Horse Foundation advocates using miniature horses as guides because they are much more cost effective. To train a guide animal, it can cost as much as $60,000. A dog's years of service may be only between 8 and 12 years, while a horse, living up to 50 years can be of service between 30 and 40 years.
Miniature horses in the service of therapy are a great help for those with emotional disorders. Horses, in general, even the minis are very calm in stressful situations. These horses' calm nature can help to lower the stress levels of the mentally ill. Just like petting a dog makes you feel better, petting a horse does the same thing. A horse can fill so many needs of one individual; it is a companion and friend providing emotional support and assisting in mobility. As with any service animal, the miniature horse should wear a vest stating it is a service animal and the public should not touch or interfere with the communication between handler and animal.
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