Blind Horse at NW Mountain Trail Challenge

OH waw, I didn't realise the actual rider of the video was on this forum!
I was practically in tears watching your video.Very inspiring. What happened that caused him to go blind? How long have you had him for?

That's a good question, yeah, how did he go blind?
I think scent has a lot to do with it...but it amazes me how you guys have such a great bond. :) & he has a lot of trust in you, I can see it!

Smokey is 20 years old, born March 5, 1988. I was fortunate enough to come into his life and purchase him in January 1989. The first two years were a bit rough, being that he was bred to be a racehorse, and I was 12 years old!

For a few years, Smokey had problems with his left eye and we knew that a cataract was developing (he was approximately the 13th foal out of his dam and I think several of his health problems can likely be traced back to his dam being over-bred). The right eye was also developing a cataract, but much more rapidly and we were unaware of this until the day I threw hay for him and he was unable to find it. What a shock! That eye had been healthy as far as we knew. He was 8 years old when he lost complete eyesight.

Smokey and I already had a great bond, but it only got stronger after his blindness. His personality has not changed, though his fight/flight instinct is not as strong now. I just took him to another Trail Challenge this past weekend. My 20 year old blind horse with a barrage of health problems was the spunkiest horse on the grounds! ...and I was so proud of him for feeling that way!

Thank you everyone for your very kind words and enjoying Smokey's videos. If more people understand that a blind horse is not worthless, I am happy.

That is is unincredible story. I feel very touched to have read such a miracle horse and rider combination. What an amazing horse.

Congratulations again on the competition

That must have been really scary..seeing your horse not be able to find his hay, all of a sudden.