Blind man with fear of dogs given the UK's first guide horse

Digby the guide horse will help Mr Patel with day to day tasks
John Pinto
Alexandra Richards6 February 2018

A visually impaired man who is scared of dogs has been given the UK's first guide horse.

BBC journalist Mohammed Salim Patel from Blackburn, Lancashire, is due to receive an eight month old American Miniature horse called Digby to help him with daily tasks.

The two foot tall horse will help the 23-year-old with household chores just like a guide dog.

Mr Patel who has a degenerative eye disorder called Retinis Pigmentosa told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I have a condition where I lost my vision and I have come across lots of people who have guide dogs.

The horse will go and live with Mr Patel once it has been trained
John Pinto

“But I have a big phobia of dogs that I was not able to work out and it was good when I heard about horses being trained.

“I have always loved horses but it is good to see the benefits to people who are visually impaired.”

The helpful horse will not be able to live with Mr Patel for a couple of years until he completes his training.

Mr Patel said Digby receives lots of attention when he is out and about

Mr Patel said: “He needs to get used to being out and about in Blackburn.

“I also think I will have to give myself an extra hour to try to get around my daily routine as people will all want to come and see it and touch it.”

Digby currently lives with its owner Katy Smith from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who told the paper that there are more miniature horses being trained in the United States.

She said: “There are about 14 training in America to help visually impaired people and they have a long life-span as they can live until 45 or 50 years old."

Ms Smith said the guide horses initiative was hoped to give those with visual impairments a choice when it came to having a pet to assist them.

“Another thing is that people may have an allergy, phobia or for health reasons and it is a choice for people," she said.

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