Please note that the Guide Horse Foundation is new, and we consider our program to be experimental.

Due to the overwhelming number of requests for free Guide horses we have temporarily suspended the application process.

Guide Horse Application Procedure 

The Guide Horse Foundation is currently seeking blind volunteers for our experimental program.  Even though initial studies have shown that Guide Horses are preferred by many ex-guide dog users, the GHF considers itself an experimental program.  Guide horses are not for everyone, and the most suitable Guide Horse owners include candidates with these demographics:

• Suburban and rural residents - While horses have lived in large cities for centuries, Guide Horses do not have the same accessibility as a guide dog.  Traveling in busses and taxi cabs can be difficult.
   

• Orientation and mobility skills - Studies by guide animal schools indicate that only a small percentage of blind people possess the mobility skills to successfully use a guide animal.  All guide animal users must be able to orient themselves and navigate successfully without human aid.
   

• Interest in scientific experimentation - Candidates with experience and demonstrable interest in scientific experimentation are ideal candidates and all Guide Horse users are asked to devote time to provide feedback, explore novel situations and report their findings.

If you are legally blind and interested in becoming a Guide Horse users, you may call this number below for more information.

It is the policy of the Guide Horse Foundation that they will have exclusive control over the acceptance of applicants and the number of applications that are accepted.  We also reserve the right to withhold graduation of all guide teams until they have met rigorous safety standards.

The Guide Horse foundation accepts applications without regard to occupation, income, religion or race.

There are several steps to being accepted for a Guide Horse:

1. Initial Application - The initial application is available at the bottom of the page. This application can be printed, filled-in and mailed to the Guide Horse Foundation.
    
2. Secondary Application - Upon review of the initial application, successful candidates will be asked to provide detailed references from their Physicians and mobility trainer.
    
3. On-site Interview - Upon review of the Secondary application - successful candidates will arrange to meet in-person with a representative of the Guide Horse Foundation. This on-site visit is done at the sole expense of the Guide Horse Foundation.
    
4. Final acceptance - As resources become available, successful candidates will be notified and arrangements will be made for the training of the horses and the student.

By clicking the links below, you acknowledge that the Guide Horse Foundation is an experimental program, and that you understand that there are risks inherent with the use of animals as guides for the blind.

Click Here to display the Phase One Application as a web page.