Many of the animals who make their way to This Old Horse, a unique non-profit organization in Hastings, Minnesota, dedicated to helping horses in transition, are unrideable, older, and/or have special needs. Founded by Nancy Turner in 2012, the all-volunteer group offers horses a “safe harbor for life, where they may age in place, loved, honored, and respected to the end, or move on to a happily ever after in a loving new home.” Although the group works with horses of any breed or discipline, it was a blind 19-year-old Haflinger named Dude who taught them what was possible when they first opened their hearts to an equine with particularly unique considerations.

Before coming to This Old Horse, Dude had spent nearly two decades as one half of a local farmer’s cart team. But after suffering a bout of uveitis, a painful inflammation of the uvea in the eye, Dude was left completely blind; he came to rely on his equine partner to help him navigate familiar surroundings. When this horse passed away, Dude was lost�"literally and figuratively, and not much later, Dude’s owner died as well. His family reached out to This Old Horse for help, which was still in its early days as an organization; initially, they were worried they were not ready to assume his care.

“Taking in a blind horse presented unique challenges that we hadn’t yet encountered,” remembered Turner. “Our primary concern was ensuring that we had the right setup and knowledge to provide him with the best care possible.

“However, we were also deeply committed to giving horses like Dude a safe and loving home, so while there were initial uncertainties, we embraced the opportunity to learn and grow with him,” she continued. “His family’s trust in us was humbling, and we were determined to do right by him.”

The team at This Old Horse set up a specialized, easy-to-navigate turnout for Dude. In the months and years to follow, he would come to teach the organization’s volunteers many lessons about how to support and care for blind horses. These lessons included understanding that consistency is key, vocal and tactile communication can replace visual cues, and safety modifications are essential.

“Blind horses thrive in a predictable environment,” explained Turner. “We keep his surroundings as stable as possible to help him navigate safely, use soft fencing where necessary, and ensure there are no sharp edges or obstacles in his path.

“Since Dude can’t rely on sight, we use voice cues, gentle touches, and even scent cues to help him understand what’s happening around him,” she continued. “Companion animals are invaluable. A trusted pasture mate, even other blind horses, helps with orientation, guidance, and companionship.”

Thanks to the knowledge and experience the team at This Old Horse has gained from working with Dude, they became more confident about accepting similar equines moving forward. In fact, since Dude’s arrival in 2012, the organization has supported over 40 blind or visually impaired equines; Dude himself has even served as a faithful companion to several of them in shared turnout. But just as importantly, Dude has also helped hundreds of humans learn horse handling and grooming skills during his residency at This Old Horse. He is safe and patient enough to be the first horse experience for many beginners who learn to groom and handle him. That said, Dude is no pushover.

“Dude is an independent thinker,” says Turner. “He is gentle and calm, but he prefers to be ‘asked’ rather than ordered around. Relationships with him require negotiation. He politely stands his ground, and we love him for that.”

Now in his early 30s, Dude’s days are spent enjoying the peaceful sanctuary of This Old Horse, soaking up the sun in his paddock, listening to the comforting sounds of his herd, and relishing in the love and care of the volunteers who have become his family. Turner is grateful for the opportunities for growth that Dude has given her and the rest of This Old Horse’s care team over the years.

“Having Dude in our sanctuary has been an incredible gift,” said Turner. “He has taught us so much about resilience, trust, and the power of adapting to challenges with grace. His presence has also helped us educate the equestrian community on the capabilities of blind horses�"how they can live happy, fulfilling lives with the right care and understanding. Dude reminds us that every horse, regardless of ability, deserves dignity, love, and a place where they feel safe.”