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The Guide Horse
Foundation |
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The Guide Horse Foundation Horse Information Page
There are many compelling reasons to use horses as guide animals:
- Ability - Horses
are natural guide animals and have been guiding humans
for centuries.
- Calm Nature -
Trained horses are extremely calm in chaotic
situations. Cavalry horses have proven that
horses can remain calm even in the extreme heat
of battle.
- Great Memory
- Horses instinctively possess phenomenal
memories. A horse will naturally remember a
dangerous situation decades after the occurrence.
- Excellent
Vision - Because horses have eyes on the
sides of their heads, they have a very wide range
of vision, with a range of nearly 350 degrees.
They also have outstanding night vision and can
see clearly in almost total darkness.
- Focus
- Trained horses are tend to be focused on their
work and are not easily distracted while working.
- Safety - Naturally safety-oriented, horses are constantly on the lookout for danger and have a natural propensity to guide their master along the safest route.
- Calm Nature -
Trained horses are extremely calm in chaotic
situations. Cavalry horses have proven that
horses can remain calm even in the extreme heat
of battle.
- Manners - Guide Horses are very clean and can be housebroken. Horses do not get fleas and shed twice per year. Horses do enjoy affection but are not addicted to affection. A trained Guide Horse will stand quietly when on duty even if it is rubbed, petted or scratched.
Who is the Ideal Guide Horse Owner?
Obviously, Guide Horses are not well suited to urban environments or situations requiring large amounts of travel. However, they are ideal for:
- Horse lovers - Blind people who have grown up with
horses and understand equine behavior and care are the
preferred candidates.
- Allergenic - Many people are severely allergic to
traditional guide animals and find horses a great
alternative.
- Physically Disabled -Because of their docile nature, Guide Horses are easy to handle for many individuals. They are also strong enough to provide a steadying support, help the handler to rise and the larger individuals can pull a wheelchair.
The Guide Horse Foundation relies on volunteers to donate, train and deliver these horses free to visually impaired individuals.
The Guide Horse Foundation has the utmost respect for The Seeing Eye® and their seventy-one years of outstanding work with assistance animals for blind individuals. Please note that The Guide Horse Foundation is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the Seeing-Eye organization or any of the Guide Dog training organizations.
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Copyright © 1998 - 2005 by the Guide Horse Foundation Inc. Guide Horse ® Guidehorse ® and Helping Hooves ® are registered trademarks. |
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.
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