Stable Owner Boards Blind Horses

Stable Owner Boards Blind Horses LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules Blind horses adapt to their circumstances and are able to lead quality lives says Jessyka Harding who “accidentally” got into the business of boarding blind horses after buying an Appaloosa gelding “We didn’t know Blink was almost blind until the vet told us two weeks after we got him ” she says adding that they knew the former show horse’s vision had been affected after he chewed an electrical cord They just didn’t know how severe it was Harding purchased Blink as a companion to another horse after she and her husband bought property in Cylon Wis They soon started Harmony Ranch a boarding training and riding business The horses were fenced in a small pasture at first as the Hardings transformed the former cattle/hog farm to accommodate horses and add pastures When access to another pasture opened up Harding led Blink a couple times - up a hill turning sharply then going another 150 ft on a walkway to a smaller pasture with a hay shelter “Blink figured it out pretty quickly It’s really interesting how well they can function ” Harding says Early on Blink also proved blind horses can hold their own in the pecking order of horses Though usually a quiet horse when pushed by other horses Blink squeals and kicks When Harding started boarding another blind horse she observed that he didn’t let other horses get the best of him either “I don’t think horses are affected nearly as much as humans by blindness They adjust quickly and seem to continue to live happily ” Harding says They are more cautious moving slowly to get a drink of water and taking careful steps for example Blink has broken through the electrical tape fencing a few times but doesn’t go far because he doesn’t know where he is With training blind horses can learn to be ridden again Harding worked very slowly with Blink as if she were breaking in a new horse “A blind horse is more dependent on a rider’s clues That actually helps you improve your horsemanship ” she points out Harding started welcoming other blind horses to board and/or train It has become part of her mission through a Facebook group Blind Without Boundaries For owners of blind horses she offers a few tips: *Electric tape fencing is easier to see when it’s been broken and won’t harm the horses *Place feeders and waterers at the end of pastures rather than in the middle Also make sure there are no sharp objects around *Work daily with a blind horse and allow it time to transition before any training *Pay attention to herd dynamics and only put “low key” personality horses with blind horses *Keep sighted horses with the blind horses but if possible start with blind horses and add sighted horses later For more information about Harding’s services check out her website and Facebook pages Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Nicholas and Jessyka Harding Harmony Ranch 2286 Co Rd S Cylon Wis 54017 ph 763 313-8700; www HarmonyRanchHorseBoarding com; Facebook: Blind Without Boundaries

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