Service horses are a less-than common sight in day to day life. Mostly used to aid people with physical or emotional disabilities such as blindness, mobility issues, or PTSD. There are many benefits to using trained miniature horses to aid those who benefit from their specialized training.
When people think of service animals, they rarely think of a service horse. A service animal is any animal that is able to aid in a disabled person’s life. While most people think of dogs, service horses are more than able to fill the roles needed by many to give them the ability to live independently.
Just like dogs, horses are intelligent animals with a caring nature which makes them wonderful service animals. Service horses do; however, have their own advantages over their canine counterparts.
Can a Horse be a Service Animal?
Specifically, miniature horses are particularly capable of becoming service animals. They are smart and loyal with a number of benefits. Service horses are known to be especially beneficial to people who suffer from visual, mobility, and emotional disabilities.
A guide horse for the visually impaired is trained to recognize verbal commands, to assist in their owners’ lives and to alert their owners to obstacles such as curbs or stairs.
A service horse for those with mobility issues is able to pull their owner’s wheelchair and retrieve things from places the disabled person might be unable to reach.
People with emotional disabilities can benefit greatly from a horse’s calm nature and familiar presence when faced with situations that can trigger their impairment.
Benefits of Service Horses
There are pros and cons to having a service horse. Read on to find out more about the benefits.
Training service animals takes a great amount of time and money. Unfortunately, this means that services animals can be expensive for the people who need them most. While dogs may have anywhere from 7 to 15 years that they are able to work, horses are known to easily live into their late 30s.
These long lives mean that once they have been trained and paired with an owner, the owner will have more time with their horse before it becomes too old to assist their master and will need to be retired and a replacement found.
Service horses can also be beneficial in situations where the person in need of aid may be fearful of, allergic to, or even culturally against traditional service dogs and need an alternative.
Another amazing thing about service horses is their eyes. Horses’ eyes give them the ability to see 350° around them. They are also able to see in the dark just as well as they see in the light. These factors mean that they are often able to see an obstacle and avoid it well before it poses a potential danger to their owner.
Disadvantages of a Service Horse.
Unfortunately, for every advantage to having a service horse, there is also a disadvantage. They’re adorable and hard-working, but they are also difficult to live with and maintain.
Because of their nature and way of moving, even miniature horses need a lot of room to move around. It’s also crucial for a service horse to have a large outdoor area to exercise. Horses are used to living out of doors, so a life of service primarily inside may be difficult for them.
Horses are herd animals. As such, they are instinctively drawn to be in groups, and while they may love their owners, they need to be around other animals, too. Whether that companion is another miniature horse, a miniature donkey, or even a goat, it means more work for the service horse’s owner to provide proper care for their animals.
Another disadvantage is that horses need specialized care. Their teeth and hooves need to be frequently trimmed by a professional, and their food must be purchased from a store that sells livestock supplies as opposed to the average pet store or grocery store.
Miniature horses don’t have the instincts to aid the hearing impaired. Unfortunately, horses generally can’t aid those with hearing impairment. Horses typically don’t have the instinct to alert others to potential threats and would be unlikely to safely respond to an unexpected noise.
And finally, if you’re a shy person a guide horse may not work for you. Because of their rarity guide horses draw a lot of attention. Most people know to leave service animals alone when they’re working. However, some people may not realize that they’re distracting your horse from its job when they approach to ask about your horse and ask to pet it.
How to Care for a Miniature Horse.
Even after being trained as service animals miniature horses will still need the basic care they would otherwise require.
Miniature horses’ have very large teeth. Miniature horses are prone to tooth problems due to having teeth the same size as a standard horse. This means they are likely to have underbites, overbites, or sinus issues from the teeth growing into their sinus cavities. This means they will require frequent veterinary visits to maintain their health.
Miniature horses have to live outside. Despite being trained to be comfortable indoors, miniature horses will still need to spend the majority of their time outdoors. The average ½ acre yard is considered an adequate amount of room for a single miniature horse, but more room is always better.
Miniature horses need their own companions. Because of a horse’s natural herding instinct, they can become distressed if they find themselves alone. Miniature horses need to be kept with other hoofed animals their size. Miniature donkeys, goats, or other miniature horses are all suitable companions for when a service horse isn’t aiding its owner.
Miniature horses also need their own kind of food. Miniature horses require hay, grains, and a special mineral block called a salt lick to get their daily nutrients. Fruit, vegetables, and hard candies like peppermints are good occasional treats. Since miniature horses are prone to gaining weight, their owners need to monitor their food intake closely.
Service Horse Uniform
A service horse’s uniform is a very important part of their job. The uniform generally consists of:
● A vest clearly stating the horse’s position as a service animal.
● Saddlebags are often added to the service horse’s uniform so as to let them carry important items for their owners.
● A long handle is often attached to the service horse’s harness so as to give their owner something to hold on to so it’s easier for them to be guided by their service animal.
● Foot coverings are also important for service horses so their feet are protected and to prevent damage to the floor of any establishment or home they may enter.
● A head halter is also a common part of a service horse’s uniform. This allows the horse’s owner to control the horse should something happen that the horse doesn’t know how to react to.
How to Apply for a Service Horse.
Despite being recognized by the American government as a beneficial service animal, there are relatively few places that breed and train miniature horses for work as service animals. If you are able to find a training facility for miniature horses, it is best to contact them to see if you are able to meet the necessary criteria and can get on a waiting list for a service horse.
Service animals play a key role in many people’s day to day lives. Miniature horses are only one of many potentially useful animals that can assist disabled humans and make it possible for them to live independently.
Hopefully, service horses will become more common and available for those who need them. Should you ever see a person with a service horse, please do not attempt to pet or distract the horse in any way. The horse has a very important job it’s doing, and it needs to concentrate.