[nagdu] Guide Horse, was: Have to Ask

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Hey, ann!

I had one of those "guide dog creating fracas" dreams last night, involving
a convention, a large, luxurious airplane, and a really funky hotel that may
or may not have been the plane.  I could not keep Mitzi from disappearing
for more than a second, and there were tons of people around to tell me how
important it is to keep my dog under control...  Oh, how I love those
dreams.  Not!  /grin/  Anyway, it got very confusing when she turned into a
grey pony that was still acting like the world's worst poodle.  /lol/  Don't
know where that one came from, but when I remembered it after I woke up, I
thought of you.  If I ever do decide to go guide-horse, I really hope I end
up with a Panda-type pony, not that snotty grey thing of my dream!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Ann Edie
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 1:41 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Guide Horse, was: Have to Ask

Hi, Nicole,

I guess that would be me, Ann Edie, and my miniature horse guide, Panda. 
Panda has been my guide for almost six years now, since the summer of 2003.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by the differences in behavior between 
guide dogs and miniature horse guides, but Panda performs all the same guide

tasks as a well-trained guide dog does.  The care of a miniature horse is 
generally similar to that of a dog--feeding, grooming, relieving, and 
providing exercise, mental stimulation, and companionship.  Some of the 
details are different, of course, due to the different species.

As far as access issues are concerned, I have had very few instances of 
reluctance on the part of business operators to allow me into their 
facilities with my guide horse.  The exception has been one of the major 
guide dog training programs and airlines.

The major differences between working with a guide horse and a guide dog--I 
worked with 3 guide dogs before getting Panda--from my point of view, are 
that I never have to worry about Panda bolting off to chase a cat or other 
animal, and that I can expect my partnership with Panda to go on getting 
deeper and more wonderful for decades to come.

I'm happy to answer any other questions you have about working or living 
with a guide horse.

Best,
Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicole B. Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 4:11 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Have to Ask


> It has come up twice recently and I can't help but asking.  Who owns the 
> guide horse?  I would be interested in knowing more, especially how the 
> behavior, care, and access issues compare to those of a dog.
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