Blind Horse Milo Shines in Dressage Championship After Mastering Equine Braille

A visually impaired horse is preparing to compete for the title of dressage champion after mastering a form of equine “braille.”

Milo, an Appaloosa, had to step back from competitions after losing his vision due to an eye infection in 2023.

However, this 15-year-old gelding made a significant comeback last year, claiming his eighth victory at the Royal Windsor Show.

This year, he has continued to excel, learning to navigate using a combination of touch, sound, and signals from his rider.

Owner Megan Share, 28, shares that Milo relies on the sensations of the ground beneath his hooves to navigate his surroundings.

She is currently training him for both the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Horse Show later this year.

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Megan, who operates a riding school in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, explains: “He interprets my cues, but he also relies on the pressure of his hooves against the ground to enhance his spatial awareness.

“He uses his hearing and the tactile feedback from his feet to understand the terrain, akin to a braille method.

“He’s become more attentive, responding faster as his hearing has improved after losing his sight.”

Megan describes Milo as “truly remarkable” and insists that his blindness hasn’t hindered his potential as a top dressage competitor.

She expressed: “I’m extremely proud of him.

“There probably aren’t any other blind horses competing at this level worldwide.”