I’ve always had horses and mules who didn’t mind following. I will take the
lead on the way home or on familiar trails.
Years ago I was on a trail ride with a large group of people, only 2 or 3 of
them knew that I was blind. The group got all spread out and I didn’t realize
that my mule and I had gotten in
the lead. She was very good at staying on marked trails. She very confidently
wanted to go to the left so I let her. I thought she was following a horse in
front of us. Several people turned where we turned and they were all following
me and Allie. Suddenly people further back started yelling that we were going
the wrong way. So we all turned around and went back. This time Alee and I
were following others. When we got back to the group several people said we
thought you were the leader so we just followed. When I told them that I was
blind and thought there was someone in front we all got a good laugh. They
kept saying you and Allie look so confident we just thought you knew exactly
where you were going.
Nella
Nella
From: iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Shanna Stichler
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 3:07 AM
To: iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [IOTAList] Re: A Question for those of you with no sight or very
little sight at all re Dog Classes
Didn't do much Halter. It just became interminably boring. I hated it, my
horses hated it, and I'm sure it showed.. I'm the same with you about jumping.
If I'm out with a friend I trust implicitly, then I mostly just ride two-point,
and I ride horses who are OK about being the followers. loll I mostly rode
Saddle seat Equitation and any English classes where jumping was not a
requirement. I had this gorgeous NSH Pinto, and of course I showed him in
Native Costume at all the big shows.
On 1/22/2017 1:28 PM, Caitlyn Furness wrote:
I agree!!
I have had someone be with me on the ground during halter competitions, though.
I was lucky because this didn’t turn out to be cumbersome-the person I had
spotting for me was horse knowledgeable, and didn’t get in my way.
For saddle events, though, including dressage, I found using the fm system
greatly helpful. I admit to not having jumped anything in competitions since
going blind. I’ve played with it on my own, though, and am just too chicken to
try and compete that way anymore.
Cait
On Jan 22, 2017, at 12:23 AM, Shanna Stichler <slstich@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It is a reasonable accommodation and really the only way to compete in
equestrian events safely.
On 1/18/2017 7:50 PM, <mailto:nfoster@extremezone.email>
nfoster@extremezone.email wrote:
I know people who have used these for both dog and horse things.
Some groups are nervous about allowing it in competition situations.
Nella
From: <mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
<mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf OfShanna Stichler
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 7:27 PM
To: <mailto:iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [IOTAList] Re: A Question for those of you with no sight or very
little sight at all re Dog Classes
I've found FM systems to be quite useful, both for working dogs and equestrian
stuff. I know here this is permitted, provided my spotter didn't coach me while
spotting, if that makes sense.
Shanna
On 5/19/2016 1:22 PM, Norman (Redacted sender Washingtonian504 for DMARC) wrote:
Donna,
Why not try two way radios. A sighted person could sit and direct you when to
turn?
Norman.
From: <mailto:caitlyn.furness@xxxxxxxxx> Caitlyn Furness
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2016 6:07 PM
To: <mailto:iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [IOTAList] Re: A Question for those of you with no sight or very
little sight at all re Dog Classes
donna,
the last couple of dog classes I’ve taken I just walked around on my own,
heeling the dog and using my facial vision and sounds bouncing off of walls,
etc, to orientate myself. I figure the sighties in the room can watch out for
me since they have eyes that work! I don’t mean take care of me, they can just
watch and not run us over!!
Granted, if the class is in a large building, like a warehouse, it can be hard
to hear with all the echoes..
I hope you find someplace that ’s welcoming. I don’t think they can exclude
you, though, when it comes down to it, but am not sure of your laws there.
hth,
Cait
On May 19, 2016, at 11:05 AM, Donna Waring < <mailto:donna@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
donna@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Guys
I’ve been trying for ages to start Kizzy on puppy training classes as I did
with my other dogs. The trainer I used to go to had her Mother helping out
with the classes, and so when we walked around the hall passing each other,
doing figure of eights and all that stuff, her Mother would walk either beside
me or give me an arm if I wanted. For all the other exercises I was ok and
needed none or very little help.
However, this trainer hasn’t been responding back to my messages, and nearly
all of the other dog clubs I’ve contacted have said I would need to bring
someone with me to attend the class and that they couldn’t cater for Kizzy and
I on our own.
So, my question is this: for those of you that are either totally blind or have
vision which isn’t really useable, how have you coped at dog classes with the
bits where you all walk around passing one another etc. I thought about taking
my white cane, and then I thought that maybe it might frighten the other pups
there, especially if I touched one with the cane by accident. So how have you
guys done this? There must be a way around it where I could attend the class
on my own.
Best
Donna
