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Woman wins in Dressage with blind horse
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In this article we see the compelling story of
Valiant and his owner Marilyn Fallon. Valiant is a horse that
carried her to a dressage championship despite
being totally blind:
Here we see that the owner of Valiant
decides not to let blindness stop her horse:
Valiant was healthy in every way except he couldn’t
see, but I could. How could one even conceive of discarding such a
wonderful, vibrant animal. I went through this thought discovery
process in my mind then I felt for the first time in my life, the
universe was presenting me with a very serious decision and
opportunity.
I wiped the tears away and decided the only
solution was to train and ride him. Upon leaving the hospital after
the diagnosis, the doctors asked me what I was going to do with
Valiant. I told them, "Train him to the highest level of dressage that
I possibly can." I’m sure they all thought I was crazy but wished us
well.
In this inspiration success story we
note that Valiant did indeed compete successfully in Dressage:
I didn’t feel overwhelmed, just completely focused
on him. We were there to do the best we could and we did. Valiant
listened to me the whole test. It was the best test of my life even if
it was only a 53.07%!
After the final salute, the judge stood up and
asked me if he was blind in one eye. I said, "No, he’s blind in both
eyes." She nearly fell off the platform and said it was truly
remarkable what he’s doing and wished us the best of luck in the
future. I received nothing but incredible support from our dressage
community.
This heartwarming story reminds me
that it works both ways. Just as a blind person can use a sighted
horse, a sighted trainer can successfully guide a blind horse.
Get the Book!
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Helping Hooves
The Guide Horse
Foundation
Training Program to Train Miniature Horses as Guide Animals for
the Blind
Janet Burleson
ISBN
Retail Price $34.95
Order this book now and get 30% off the
retail price!
Only $19.95
Order Now!
Read the compelling
story of the first miniature horse trained to work as a guide horse.
Learn the exciting methods used to prepare the tiny horses to
perform these amazing services.
All
author royalties are being donated to help support the Guide Horse Foundation.
Quotes:
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Janet Burleson
is one of the world's pioneering horse trainers
– Practical
Horseman Magazine
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Seeing is
believing
– USA Today
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Janet and Don
Burleson are . . . Angels
– People Magazine
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How wonderful
that Janet and Don Burleson have initiated this valuable
experimental program teaming miniature horses with blind people
– Newsweek
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Miniature ponies
are leading the way for the blind
– ABC News
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Guide Horses .
. . are as small and disciplined as Guide Dogs
– TIME Magazine
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Extraordinary
–
ABC 20/20
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It is often the
little things that win our hearts and minds
– ABC News
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The Burleson’s
are . . . using horse sense to Guide
–
Boston Globe
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Twinkie proved that
miniature horses could fill the role, and fill it well
– VetCentric Magazine
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An Intriguing
Program
- Discovery Channel
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