2026-08-07 11:05:05

A blind horse is aiming for dressage glory after mastering a unique form of equine “braille” to compete at the highest level.

Milo, a 15-year-old Appaloosa gelding, was forced to step away from competition in 2023 after an eye infection left him without sight.

But the determined horse has made an incredible comeback, returning to the arena last year and winning at the Royal Windsor Show for the eighth time.

Milo has since claimed further victories after learning to rely on a combination of touch, sound and signals from his rider to move confidently through routines.

Owner Megan Share, 28, says the horse uses the sensation of the ground beneath his hooves to build a picture of his surroundings.

The riding school owner, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, is now preparing Milo for major events including the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Horse Show.

Megan is quoted by The Sun as saying: “He interprets my pressure on him, but he also uses his own pressure of his hooves on the ground for his spatial awareness.

“He’s using his hearing and feel of touch with his feet to feel along the ground. It is like a braille technique.

“He’s also a lot more alert and he reacts quicker as his sense of hearing is elevated as a result of him losing his sight.”

Despite losing his vision, Milo has continued to compete against fully sighted horses and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Megan said: “I’m extremely proud of him.

“There can’t be any other blind horses competing at this level in the world.”

She described Milo as “just amazing” and said his achievements prove blindness does not have to end a horse’s competitive career.

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