This is a great story! lol
Cait
On Jan 25, 2017, at 4:37 PM, <nfoster@extremezone.email>
<nfoster@extremezone.email> wrote:
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>
[mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ;<mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]
On Behalf Of Shanna Stichler
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 3:07 AM
To: iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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
<mailto: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, nfoster@extremezone.email
<mailto: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: iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
<mailto:iotalist-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf OfShanna Stichler
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 7:27 PM
To: iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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: Caitlyn Furness <mailto:caitlyn.furness@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2016 6:07 PM
To: iotalist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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 <donna@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto: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
