Just me and the pgymy pony over by the dental floss bush.
Posted on 08/15/2019 5:05:34 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Miniature horses are among the service animals approved to take on flights, according to new guidelines provided Thursday by the federal government.
Service animals on planes has been the subject of much debate over the past several years, especially when the animal is a little exotic. To curb some of the debate, the U.S. Department of Transportation clarified which common service animals should almost always be allowed.
“With respect to animal species, we indicated that we would focus our enforcement efforts on ensuring that the most commonly used service animals (dogs, cats, and miniature horses) are accepted for transport as service animals,” the department said in a statement.
Here's a miniature horse on a plane pic.twitter.com/1aSt94nvDW
— James Kelleher (@etienneshrdlu) October 22, 2016 While not as common as dogs, miniature horses are known to make great service animals. They can live as long as 35 years, generally stand about 2 to 3 feet tall and weigh around 100 pounds when fully grown.
This doesn’t mean that all airlines are now obligated to board therapy miniature horses by law, but if they decide to ignore the new guideline, they could face a penalty.
The statement clarifies that animals outside of dogs, cats and miniature horses must be accepted or denied flight on a case-by-case basis.
Airlines will not be subject to punishment for denying access to service animals like snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents and spiders, according to the DOT.
The airlines have approximately 30 days to review and revise company policies in order to comply with the new regulations.
Just me and the pgymy pony over by the dental floss bush.
I see a “service animal” dogs almost every time I go shopping now. Pets as service animals is totally out of control.
Miniature horses are generally bred to be friendly and to interact well with people. For this reason they are often kept as family pets, though they still retain natural horse behavior, including a natural fight or flight instinct of striking out with their hooves, front or back, and biting. Especially in a confined space with unnatural smells, feelings of movement and G’s, and every kid in the aircraft wanting to pet the big doggy.
So, the only way to protect your horse is to pen it up and keep it on a seat away from other passengers. And hope no one is allergic to horses. If peanuts that are not designed to shed can do it, well.... I’m allergic to cats, dogs, and sheep.
If someone brings one on a plane, I have to get a seat change from the one I selected to get away from it. So there insecurity becomes my problem then. And I paid the same as they did for their seats. And my “insecurity” is ignored and I am the one that will have to adjust. So who’s service animal is it due to inconveniences?
rwood
This is because of bureaucracies flexing bare power.
They can be potty trained to go out, but I doubt they could hold all the time to go through airport and flight. I’d feel safer around a mini than a pit bull.
Usually women in the 45-60 age range.
Legit guide dogs for the blind are trained. I know there are dogs that do other services as well. We ask patrons what service is the dog trained for.
There could be a silver lining here... Can the horse pack on it’s own additional carry on? lol
Isn't it appetizing to see a dog in the grocery market?
Airlines giving me yet another reason to never get on a plane again.
I had a horse growing up (not a miniature one), and horse urine is copious and pungent. Just what the other passengers want to experience in a confined space.
Lol! The airlines have room for a pony!
Well, I’d think they would have to plane side check the horse in that case.
In it’s own seat?
Because if a dog is over, say, 30#, I say it must have its own seat.
This stuff is well beyond ridiculous.
What’s next, midget cowboys for the horses?
Charming. Did you bring any treats?
No. The German Shepherd was sprawled out on the floor under my feet. On the flight back I only had to contend with a 225 pound mother with a 3 month old baby in the middle seat next to me. The crying, pooping and breast feeding seemed mild compared to my previous flight.
How about sitting next to a couple barking and crapping at an outdoor restaurant? All I wanted was a support beer and taco.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.