Meet Milo - the blind horse that's competing in shows thanks to 'braille-like' training

Published: 01:13, 6 August 2026 | Updated: 01:13, 6 August 2026 Meet the remarkable blind horse tipped to become a dressage champion after learning an extraordinary form of equine 'braille'. Milo, a 15-year-old Appaloosa, has stunned judges and spectators by returning to the show ring despite losing sight in both eyes. The 16-hand gelding relies on a unique combination of touch, hearing and rider cues to navigate his surroundings after being struck down by a devastating eye condition. Owner Megan Share, 28, says Milo uses the feel of the ground beneath his hooves to build a picture of the world around him. Since returning to competitions last year, Milo has won two horse showing events but now has his sights set on returning to the elite dressage ring - competing against sighted horses. Megan, who runs Debdale Riding School in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, said: 'He interprets my pressure on him but he also uses his own pressure of his hooves on the ground surface 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.' Megan has owned Milo since he was just three years old and spent years competing with him before tragedy struck. Milo, a 15-year-old Appaloosa gelding owned by Megan Share (28), is making history by aiming to become the first completely blind horse to compete in elite dressage against sighted horses After suffering from uveitis, a severe eye condition, he lost sight in both eyes at age 13 despite two surgeries He navigates using an extraordinary combination of elevated hearing, rider cues, and spatial awareness developed by feeling ground pressure beneath his hooves (a technique likened to reading Braille) The horse went blind at the age of 13 after suffering from uveitis, a serious eye disease that eventually took the sight in both eyes. Despite two operations on his left eye, vets were unable to save his vision.  Against all odds, Milo returned to competition last year and even claimed first place at the Royal Windsor Show for the eighth year running. Now Megan believes he is ready to take the next step into dressage, often described as 'ballet on horseback' because of its precise and controlled movements. If successful, Milo will become the first blind horse ever to compete in a dressage event. Megan said: 'Now he's won most of the shows he's competed in this year. We've done the Appaloosa Breed Show and he's already won that. To help Milo compete at such a high standard, Megan has developed a unique communication system built on trust, voice commands and physical signals. She said: 'When we're walking in areas when I'm not riding him we tell him up or down for steps and then slow down. Megan acts as Milo's 'eyes,' employing precise voice commands ('up,' 'down,' 'slow down'), firm rein and leg aids, and core/seat movements to guide him continuously Since returning to the ring, he has maintained a dominant streak, including winning at the Appaloosa Breed Show and claiming first place at the Royal Windsor Horse Show for the eighth consecutive year He is set to compete in upcoming summer shows as he works toward qualifying for prestigious events like the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Show 'We talk to him like he's a human. We click at him to go a little bit more assertive, he listens more than he ever did.  'Everyone is astounded, when we do go out, people are shocked that this could even happen. 'There can't be any other blind horses competing at this level in the world. I'm extremely proud of him.' Milo is due to compete at an Appaloosa show and the Denbigh and Flint Show in August before taking on qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show and the London International Show.