Miniature Horses Are Allowed To Be Service Animals Under The ADA, Also Used As Alternative To Guide Dogs, As Shared By "TodayILearned" Subreddit Page

"I've seen them with little sneakers on their feet!"

Maryjane

• Published in Animals
• November 13, 2022

Although dogs still make up the majority of service animals, a tiny percentage can now be miniature horses. The Americans with Disabilities Act (2010) updated laws and permitted the training of miniature horses to work and complete duties for a person with disabilities.

An animal that has been "individually trained to do work or perform activities for a person with a disability" is referred to as a service animal. In 2011, a dog was the only animal approved as a service animal but recent legal changes, however, now permit miniature horses to be trained to work and do chores for a person with a disability.

These are new, distinct elements of the ADA that permit service horses and dogs to be approved as service animals and provide assistance to people with disabilities. Also, ADA's new standards indicate that existing facilities and practices must now, when feasible, treat miniature horses similarly to dogs.

The miniature horses should weigh between 70 and 100 pounds and range in height from 24 to 34 inches. The main purpose for which miniature horses are used as guide animals is to assist people who are blind or have other vision impairments.

They're also effective as a source of comfort. Since mini horses only need a small amount of outdoor space and are very easy to house-train, integrating them into the owner's home shouldn't be an issue.

This Redditor shared how they learned that miniature horses can be used as an alternative to guide dogs

Similar to service dogs, service horses will be trained and put to use

The ADA stipulates four rules that serve as evaluation criteria for deciding where a miniature horse can enter a facility:

1. Whether the miniature horse is housebroken
2. If the miniature horse is under control
3. If the facility can accommodate the miniature horse’s size, weight, and type
4. Whether the miniature horse will not compromise safety requirements for safe operation for the whole of the facility and other members of the public

Here are what Redditors had to say:

They are at the right height

It's the name for me

Having a service horse has several advantages, and some people prefer it over a service dog. First off, horses can live up to 35 years and work for about 20 years, providing their owner with long-term support.

A person with a mobility impairment can greatly benefit from riding a miniature horse because of its small size. Service horses are the perfect size for someone who has mobility issues and frequently loses their balance because they are at hip height and have a sturdy, well-built physique.

It's getting really wild here

The benefits of using a miniature horse are being listed

That must be so cute to see

Like dogs frequently do, miniature horses are incredibly simple to groom and don't shed or cause allergies. Another advantage of having a service horse over a service dog is that they can't contract fleas as dogs do.

Therefore, a service horse would be more suitable for someone who is extremely allergic to hair or who suffers from hay fever.

What to do?

Come check this out

Although horses are less frequently used as service animals, it has just become legal for them to do so as well. The fact that they are outstanding guide horses also means that they can keep their owner safe while serving as service animals.

So tell us in the comments if you'd love to own a miniature horse as a service animal.

More Info: Reddit, usserviceanimals.org

Maryjane