Oh, that's so sweet! I actually had a few different critters on the banners; Petey, I think Shadow was one and the little orange kitty... But the best picture was Petey's, so I stuck with him. I'm happy to find that it turned out for the best. :)

was reading your site when i came across this post.

i have two horses - a swedish warmblood and an arab quarter. my a/q nimbus is 23 and totally blind from eu. i stopped riding him when i realized he couldn't see and he hung out for about three years - then one day, after a bath, he was cold. i decided to jog him to get him warm. he raised his neck and arched and stepped out like he was back in the showring!

i realized he wanted to move but couldn't alone, so i put him on the lead line in deep sand. he looked like pepe le peu! then, feet everywhere as he leaned over too far and did an "artie johnson"! i let him fall - the sand was deep and soft - so he wouldn't be hurt. said, ok, kid - you have to figure this out - where you are and where the ground is! he got up, shook off and has never fallen since!

after a month of lunging, i put his bridle on with the lunge - his ears shot forward and he looked so excited! after another two days, i put his saddle on him, knowing he would tell me if he wanted to do this or not. he was ecstatic! i got on and he was so happy! all the dressage paid off - he responds to the lightest of weight shift and cue - and he loves it. we trail, we walk, trot canter and even got up to a gallop (before he said: i can't do THAT! I'M BLIND!!! so, he slowed to a trot and pranced around.

his favorite time now is under saddle, second favorite is on the lunge line.

don't underestimate the wonderful times you and your friend will have. keep his feet from getting too long so he is less likely to stumble and enjoy him.

being a "seeing eye person" for my kid is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!

when we aren't playing, he and his "brudder" hang out and groom each other.

i'll post a pic sometime next week of the "boys"...