If Your Horse Goes Blind, He Is Useless, Right? Not Even Close. Just Ask This Dressage Champion.
Take a good look at this horse (see photo below). See anything special about him? He’s a handsome stallion named Valiant Quest. He’s a top dressage horse who has won championships in multiple high-visibility competitions. He’s very talented, extremely well cared-for for, and completely healthy in every way except one. Valiant is totally blind. How did manage to win a championship against a seemingly unsurmountable disability? Read on…
Dressage champion Valiant Quest is totally blind
If you thought horse blindness meant the end of a horse’s quality of life, I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed. It doesn’t. Not by a long shot. Just ask Valiant’s owner, Marilyn Fallon:
| “Valiant was healthy in every way except he couldn’t see, but I could. How could one even conceive of discarding such a wonderful, vibrant animal. I went through this thought discovery process in my mind then I felt for the first time in my life, the universe was presenting me with a very serious decision and opportunity. |
| I wiped the tears away and decided the only solution was to train and ride him. Upon leaving the hospital after the diagnosis, the doctors asked me what I was going to do with Valiant. I told them, “Train him to the highest level of dressage that I possibly can.” I’m sure they all thought I was crazy but wished us well.” |
And train him, she did. It takes a lot of time and effort to train a dressage horse. Even more to compete at the highest levels. And if the horse is blind? I can’t imagine the effort and dedication Marilyn put into working with Valiant. All I can do is stand up and applaud. Marilyn goes on…
| “I didn’’t feel overwhelmed, just completely focused on him. We were there to do the best we could and we did. Valiant listened to me the whole test. It was the best test of my life even if it was only a 53.07%!After the final salute, the judge stood up and asked me if he was blind in one eye. I said, “No, he’s blind in both eyes.” She nearly fell off the platform and said it was truly remarkable what he’s doing and wished us the best of luck in the future. I received nothing but incredible support from our dressage community.” |
This is a very heartwarming story about one woman’s love for her horse despite his blindness. Neither Marilyn nor Valiant gave up. And the result was nothing short of incredible.
Where am I going with all this?
If you’ve just found out that your horse is going blind, you’re probably a bundle of emotions. Scared. Sad. Mad. You name it. It’s heart-wrenching to think of your beloved horse not being able to see you. You want to do anything you can, but don’t know where to begin. And your stomach twists with each unanswered question.
In all the turmoil don’t forget about Valiant. Just because your horse is going blind doesn’t mean he’s finished. Caring for a blind horse really isn’t that much different from caring for one who isn’t. You can provide a loving home and high quality of life for your horse…whether he can see or not.
But there are some things to be aware of. Some special precautions to take. And I’ll share these secrets with you in future articles you’ll find right here. So keep your newsreader pointed to Horse IQ.
Yours for Better Horse Health,
Sierra Lynch
blind horse dressage horse horse eyesTags: Dressage, Horse Health
By the way, if you’d like to read Valiant’s amazing story, you can find it here: The Valiant Quest
Until next time,
Sierra
Valiant Quest
Take a good look at this horse (see photo below). See anything special about him? He’s a handsome stallion named Valiant Quest. He’s a top dressage horse who has won championships in multiple high-visibility competitions. He’s very t…