A visually impaired horse is set to compete for the dressage championship after successfully mastering a form of equine “braille.”
Milo, an Appaloosa, had been withdrawn from competitions after losing his vision due to an eye infection in 2023.
Nevertheless, this 15-year-old gelding made a remarkable return to competition last year, achieving victory for the eighth time at the Royal Windsor Show.
This year, he has excelled in additional events, mastering navigation through a blend of touch, hearing, and signals from his rider.
Owner Megan Share, 28, shares that Milo relies on the feel of the ground beneath his hooves to navigate his surroundings.
She is currently preparing him for both the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Horse Show later this year.
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Megan, who owns a riding school in Kidderminster, Worcs, stated, “He interprets my cues but also relies on the pressure of his hooves on the ground to enhance his spatial awareness.
“He utilizes his hearing and the tactile sensations from his feet to perceive the terrain, akin to a braille method.
“He’s become more alert, reacting more swiftly as his hearing has sharpened with the loss of his vision.”
Megan describes Milo as “truly amazing” and insists that his blindness has not hindered his ability as a top dressage competitor.
She expressed, “I’m incredibly proud of him.
“There can’t possibly be any other blind horses competing at this level globally.”
