Why a Miniature Horse?
Miniature horses have many strengths that make them suitable as potential service animals. Typically ranging from 24–34 inches in height and weighing 71–100 pounds, these strong animals can push and pull heavy objects. They can offer both balance and mobility assistance to a handler. They are intelligent and possess excellent eyesight, including 350-degree peripheral vision and night vision. They often serve as guide animals for individuals with vision-related disabilities. Miniature horses can carry out most, if not all, possible tasks of a service dog.
Why Not a Service Dog?
Some individuals prefer a miniature horse over a dog for their service animal. For one thing, miniature horses have a much greater longevity. They can live 25–30 years and offer a long service life of up to 20 years. For dogs, this time is much shorter. Another benefit of miniature horses is that they are easy to groom and shed fewer allergens than dogs. For many service animal handlers, this makes caring for their animal easier. Finally, miniature horses are an alternative for those who will not work with a dog for cultural or religious reasons.