We're in San Antonio for the annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, i.e., all horse vets in the country. Our horse trainer, Nichole Zupan, joined me for the trip. As someone who has trained a born-blind horse for riding -- our two-year old Nikki -- Nichole is uniquely positoned to help tell people what blind horses are capable of doing. Nichole and I came down this weekend to staff our exhibit display, hand out our brochure on blind horses ("Blind Horses: Top 5 Tips and Top 5 Myths") and promote our BlindHorses.org Web site.
The convention started today, and I took the photo of Nichole at our exhibit booth this morning. We had a lot of folks stop by and visit with us today ... vets from New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, Florida, and plenty of other states I can't even remember now that it's 9:45 p.m. as I write this! We also had veterinary students from schools like Cornell come by to talk. There are about 4,000 vets attending the convention, so we have a lot of opportunity!
We're here because we've learned we need to reach out to the equine vet community to let them know that blind horses CAN have a wonderful quality of life ... and to give these vets useful, practical information they can also share with their clients. Too many vets still assume that a blind horse is only going to be miserable, or dangerous, or can't go out on pasture -- there are a lot of myths about these wonderful animals -- and as a result, they often tell the owners of newly blind horses that they should just put the animal down. It's sad that many vets still think blindness means a death sentence for a horse, and we want to help them understand that it doesn't have to be that way at all.
Nichole and I will be here through Tuesday, returning to Montana on Wednesday. Alayne is back at the ranch, keeping everything running smoothly!
(Click on photo for larger image.)
From a friend of former RDR employee (Beth) and now faithful reader/addict to your site, the lsat poaragraph about blind horses and their usefullness despite their disability brought tears of joy. Blessings to you and all you do for the animal kingdom.
That bit about a horse picking the lock and taking off down the road...hillarious! I take it you've had horses do that before? Me too.
Posted by: Tryna Merriman | December 05, 2006 at 07:36 PM
What a great photo of Nicole! I hope you've both had good Tex-Mex food while you're in San Antonio. I guess you're flying, or I'd offer you both a place to stay with Tobias & I on your way back. (We live just north of Houston.) Thanks for spreading the message about all the wonderful things that blind horses can do & what a great life they can have.
Hugs,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | December 04, 2006 at 09:24 PM
It's ironic that "blinders" are used to ensure a horse in harness is calm, yet people don't connect that principle to a blind horse.
Good work.
Posted by: Linda Metzger | December 04, 2006 at 08:25 PM
Hey! Welcome to San Antonio!! This is a great message you are delivering, one very important to me; to change old ways of thinking of animals. Reaching out to vets, especially in agricultural areas such as Texas will really create a change in kindness. Great job!
Posted by: Karen SA/TX | December 04, 2006 at 04:50 PM
Steve, Good for you and Nicole to pass the important facts along. I'm sure you'll reach many vets and who knows how many horses will be saved and enjoy wonderful lives.
Posted by: Roz | December 04, 2006 at 11:51 AM
What a fabulous experience for you; the vets and ultimately blind horses! You've saved many horses by attending the convention already. Education is what people need to make the choice to save a horses life.
Thank you for including the tips and myths for us on line readers.
Wishing you a continued successful convention and
a safe trip back home!
Posted by: Leilani | December 04, 2006 at 09:39 AM