Guide Horse The Amazing Miniature Horse – by Claire E Anderson

You know I’ve seen these equines once in a while as I’m driving down a country road, or on the RFD-TV Station.  Every single time I see one I think, “Oh my goodness how cute.” 

But, I must confess I sometimes think about owning one but quickly discard the idea thinking it would be nothing more than a pretty pasture ornament.  I wouldn’t be able to ride it.  That’s why I have my big horses, after-all.

But after reading up on this incredible animal I am backing off on my “back-off” for miniatures.

That’s because I never realized how valuable they are as guides.  I was very impressed with the long list of attributes these equines possess.  Each quality is a wonderful asset for anyone who depends upon a well-trained guide animal to assist them in their daily activities.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASON WHY MINIATURE HORSES MAKE EXCELLENT GUIDES1

• Cost Effective – The expense to train a miniature horse to be a guide animal is considerably less than the average $60,000 cost to train a dog1
• Excellent Vision – I’ve always known horses have great eyesight but never thought of that trait in terms of assisting a blind person.  Any horse person knows how quickly a horse picks up on any changes, sights, sounds, you name it.
• Size Matters – Miniature Horses stand approximately 34 inches or less in height 4.  While this is a size way too small for riding it’s a great size for a service animal. Pretty much where-ever you will fit your guide horse will fit!
• Good Manners – I loved reading about this one. Apparently these horses can be house broken!
• Long Life – Miniature horses also have a longer life span than a dog, which means they provide years of service to their owners.
  

There’s much more on the Guide Horse website.

ARE MINIATURE HORSES WELL-ESTABLISHED AS GUIDE ANIMALS?

While the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) does allow for the use of trained horses as alternatives to dogs in some situations, it does not particularly make reference to miniature horses.3

But that may very well change, In fact the Horse.com site has a recent article3 out regarding the State of Illinois and its passage of legislation which, “… designates miniature horses as recognized service animals.”

So after reading all this I was wondering of course – as part of my curiosity about horse-related income – what is entailed in training and/or working with miniature horses to prepare them to be guides

MINIATURE HORSE TRAINING CAREER?

Well of course you could go into this as a career, but you need to fully understand the time-line involved and how to acquire the proper training for yourself first. 

From what I’ve researched I would say it is not a career for the novice to undertake.  It seems Janet Burleson2 is a wealth of experience and information regarding the training of miniature horses as guide animals.  I have provided a link to her book, Miniature Horses in the Neighborhood at the end of this blog for you.

Probably the likeliest candidate to become a successful trainer is someone who has already spent some years training horses as well as someone who can learn the specific technique and approach necessary when training miniature horses to be service animals in particular. 

Once again – risking sounding like a broken record by now - The Guide Horse Site is where I recommend you begin.

Here is the link for Janet Burleson’s book: 

Miniature Horses in the Neighborhood
The Miniature Horse as a Suburban Pet by Janet Burleson
With annotations by Dr. Chris O'Malley D.V.M
http://www.rampant-books.com/book_2008_1_mini_horse_neighborhood.htm

 Citation Bibliography:

1 The Guide Horse Foundation. Copyright © 1998 - 2005 by the Guide Horse Foundation Inc. http://www.guidehorse.com/

2 Miniature Horses in the Neighborhood. Janet Burleson. Rampant Tech Press. P.O. Box 511, Kittrell, NC, 27544 http://www.rampant-books.com/book_2008_1_mini_horse_neighborhood.htm

3 Illinois Bill Allows Miniature Horses as Service Animals by: Pat Raia
May 17 2012, Article # 20039 The Horse.com Copyright © 2012 Blood-Horse Publications. All Rights Reserved. PO Box 919003, Lexington, KY 40591-9003 http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20039

4 American Miniature Horse Association. Home Page. AMHA - 5601 South Interstate 35 W - Alvarado, Texas, 76009
Copyright © 1996-2007 American Miniature Horse Association, Inc. All rights reserved.http://www.amha.org/

Are you a horse enthusiast? Have you been looking over job opportunities for horse lovers who want to work with equines in any shape or form to make a living? If so, be sure not to overlook the field of therapeutic riding.

MAGIC
As avid horse folk we all experience that magical power that a bond with an equine creates for us.  I know just watching them in a pasture, walking amongst them, or hearing their nicker fills me with a kind of peace.   Well that magic is no less evident when it comes to those with cognitive, physical and emotional issues.  Why else would it be such a successful therapy program?   Why is it that a troubled teen, for example, cannot relate to other people but will bond with a horse in an instant? 

If you are not familiar with therapeutic riding and you would like to know more be sure to click on the links provided at the end of this article in the citation section. 

Basically therapeutic riding is a type of therapy which uses riding skills and equine movement combined with various activities to address issues for those people who face challenges both physically and emotionally. The focus of this type of therapy is on maximizing an individual’s abilities as opposed to focusing on a disability.1

SOUND EXCITING?
In order to be employed in this field as an instructor you are required to be certified through PATH International.   “PATH” is an acronym for “Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International” and was formerly known as “NARHA” or “North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.”  The name change was deemed necessary, according to the PATH Intl. site, in order to remove the term “handicapped” and more accurately reflect their goals to “communicate the essence of the organization and promote future growth and expansion. The new name is comprehensible and recognizable.”2 This site provides a vast amount of information not only for those of you who are considering work as a riding instructor, but also those of you who may wish to establish a certified therapeutic riding facility as well.

PATH recommends you first get yourself some experience working with individuals with disabilities at a PATH Intl. location.  It appears many instructors get a start in this career by doing just that as a volunteer.  You can be what are called a “side walker” or a “leader.”2   Not only would this prepare and qualify you for such a career, but volunteering will perhaps determine whether or not this field is the right one for you.

Here is a link to PATH Intl.’s application. (This is a pdf): membership application to the PATH Intl. office.

So just what are some of the attributes and skills required to be a great and successful therapeutic riding instructor?

ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS:

• Excellent communication skills – This means you are a very good listener and that you possess the knowledge and empathy necessary to understand your students.
• Perceptiveness – Knowing how a student is feeling and what he/she needs means you will have to be able to perceive those things since the student will more than likely have a difficult time communicating how he/she feels.
• Good Judgment – You will need this every minute of every day as you work not only with your students but with other personnel.
• etc.
  

Yes, this list goes on and on.  Basically you cannot have too many abilities in the field of therapeutic riding. 

TAKE THE QUIZ?
You can even take a quiz to see if this is a job for you, claims a site called, “My Majors.”3 I will not tell you whether or not this quiz is accurate.  I took it and - while the overall results were not surprising - I have never had an automated test be able to capture everything about me and take such tests with a grain of salt.  But it was fun, and I think you will know whether or not it reflects what you may already know your match career(s) may be. 

• Here is the link that will get you to the quiz:  http://www.mymajors.com/skills-and-knowledge/Therapeutic-Riding-Instructor

HELPING OTHERS:
Helping other people and being able to be amongst horses in the process sounds like a wonderful job for any of us who enjoy helping our fellow man and horses.  So if any of this peaks your interests by all means look into the links below and research this valuable career.

Good luck in your horse-related career search!

Citation Bibliography:

1 “Therapeutic Riding Program” Copyright 2011, http://equine.unh.edu/trp/narha-certification
All rights reserved. Rudman Hall, 46 College Road, Durham, New Hampshire 03824

2 “PATH Intl. FAQs. Name Change” © 2012 Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). All rights reserved. Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International®, PATH International® http://www.pathintl.org/faq

3 “Careers: Therapeutic Riding Instructor” Copyright 2012 MyMajors.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.mymajors.com/skills-and-knowledge/Therapeutic-Riding-Instructor