Helping Hoofs: How do Miniature Horses Compare to Dogs for Service Work

Abstract

Service or assistance animals are widely used to assist people with disabilities to live more independently and to give them greater freedom. The species that the general public typically imagines when thinking of service animals are canines. The dog is a widely known and accepted option for a service animal, but they are not the only option. Federal law also acknowledges miniature horses as the only other species protected as service animals. During the past academic year, I have been working with a miniature horse to learn more about the training of a miniature horse for service tasks. My goal is to create a guide for others who want to train a miniature horse for service work as well as to educate the public about these incredible animals. In order to better understand the differences between service dogs and service horses I have been working with an ANZ program dog to train service tasks this semester. A greater understanding of the differences and similarities in the training of these two species will be helpful for those who want to train service horses either for personal use or as a career.