Benny the Autistic Horse

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Benny came to me as a rescue November 2004. He had been locked in a stall for at least two years that I know of. I was his third owner within six months after his rescue and fifth environment. Benny had Stringhalt so bad that he would literally fall down when I handled him; his front left hoof was overgrown to the point that it was curled when he was pulled out of his stall - it had to be hack sawed off. Benny was born with contracted flexor tendons which could have been repaired when he was born, but it didn't happen.

After all most three years in my care Benny still limps on his left and drops his shoulder due to permanent damage from the overgrown hoof - the vet advises he has functional deformities.

During a clinic a child psychologist PhD described Benny as having Autistic behaviors which were confirmed by another woman at the same clinic who specializes in autistic children for a local school district.




Being locked in a stall for at least two years Benny did not have normal eye contact, herd touch or herd dynamics so he doesn't understand appropriate herd behavior. He rears and attempts to nip and tosses his head at me, but what I've come to understand is he just needs to play. He lies down to roll several times during our play which is his way of comforting himself since he gets over-stimulated. He bares his teeth in attempt to control himself from biting me and then hangs his tongue out between his teeth while being ridden. Benny is on the "outside" of the herd as the other herd members deem him dangerous because he is "sickly" to them. He whinnies to me when he's had enough of being with the herd and wants to come back to the barn. I don't even use a halter or lead, I simply open the gate and he heads to the barn on his own.

From a trainers point of view, horses are fairly predictable and quickly learn within the first couple of sessions that dangerous behavior doesnt pan out, so they are willing to learn appropriate behavior to get along with their herd leader. It is simple herd leadership. But Benny can not grasp the language or understand herd communication. I tried every method I knew. I explored, researched and applied other methods, along with seeking the opinions of fellow trainers, but nothing worked.

Most of the other trainers I consulted advised me to hit him or have him euthanized. Euthanized! Because he doesnt conform to the ideals we expect? Maybe my expectations were not correct for Benny, but I was not going to give up. I felt challenged to communicate with Benny in a way that would make him a safer horse, thereby allowing me to give him the quality of life he deserved.

As a trainer I have used every method in the "book" and outside the "book" and have come to accept Benny for who he is. I simply play with him since normal horse behavior is beyond his understanding and I never feel in danger while keeping myself at a safe distance when we play. Benny loves the trail, loves to swim and eat blackberries. He is typically the lead horse on a trail ride, but moves with small quick steps since he cannot make a full stride due to his deformities.

I would not trade a day with Benny -- he has been a remarkable teacher.

Learn more about Benny at http://www.MissyWryn.com and click on Benny the Autistic Horse.

Missy Wryn is the founder of Training the Whole Horse specializing in problem and dangerous horses getting to the source of behavior and training problems.

To schedule Missy for an event or clinic in your area call 888-406-7689 or visit http://www.MissyWryn.com for the current schedule of events.

Problems are not always training issues.....

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[MegaHorsegirly]

Is he still alive?

[wholistichorsewoman]

@MegaHorsegirly oh YES! Benny is still alive and playing every day. His favorite game is tearing down the fence between him and Paco LOL

[wholistichorsewoman]

@MegaHorsegirly have you checked out the 2010 Benny YouTube video? The 2010 video can give you an update on his condition. He is no longer being ridden since the video and his stocking up issues due to his contracted flexor tendons continue to hamper his movement but does not dampen his spirit - he's so full of joy and life

[niamhbell10]

he is gorgeous:D is he really autistic i have 2 and i never thought it was possible and was he orphaned at birth x

[wholistichorsewoman]

@niamhbell10 You can learn more about Benny's diagnosis and behaviors on my website at Missy Wryn dot com and click on Benny the Autistic Horse.

[ania9393]

beauty horse... he got so much pain :(

[wholistichorsewoman]

@ania9393 the limp he has now is caused by a functional deformity so he is not in pain anymore, he's very very happy and filled with mischievous doings LOL

[immacoolperson3]

He is gorgeous, but to say that he is Autistic? How can you know for sure, the acts of a horse and a child are very different. I read his story on your website. But I don't understand why you think he is autistic and not just scarred?

[Evillangel14]

poor sweet baby... he is so abused.. hes lucky he found you... dont ever put that baby down and dont leave him he needs you...euthanize!? why... hes beautiful... granted special but that doesnt mean that putting him down should be brought up... its like...

would you put down a autistic child? some people make me sick... one of my friends told me to put down my horse because he has bad manners... what do people think? that animals are just teddy bears? you dont want it throw it out!?

[MariaKayeyMF]

I have to agree with @Mikabuki16, there have been no scientific evidence of autism in animals. They have found it in mice AFTER their genes had been manipulated, which is a completely different thing. The horse's issues with touch, communication etc is a common effect of the seclusion and bad environment it lived it. Weird behavior would be if the horse was all peachy towards human and other horses after going through that.

[banjothefluffball]

@Mikabuki16

if a human can be autistic, why not a horse?

[bundygirl28]

such a gentle soul

[oliviaaelliott]

@Xdie112X that someone is mentaly ill or they have problems with work or doin simple things somtimes if it a human they can't talk propley

[MySquireelHorse]

LOL!