Winding his way over twisted roots, up and down sand banks, and through muddy bogs, the 8 year old buckskin stallion looked like all the other participants in the Lost Posse Limited Endurance ride. True, he was wearing some funny-looking goggles over his eyes, but other than that - only a tiny handful of participants had a clue about the amazing courage and faith this horse was exhibiting as he gaited nimbly through mile after mile of North Florida sand and pine forest trails.

Bronce de Vez was born on the central Florida farm of Barbara Preiss - son of Sundancer Mako and Diana de Vez. His bloodlines (grandsires were Coral LaCE and Cantante de Omega) insured his great heart, smooth gait, endurance, and a gentle disposition. At three years old, the young stallion was purchased and sent to Arkansas. Unfortunately, the young stallion's life did not go as planned as his new owner died within the year and most of his horses were sold off. Bronce remained, but then a deal was arranged by partners interested in returning Bronce and his bloodlines to the Florida/Georgia area.

Bronce's life took another unexpected turn just two weeks after arriving in Georgia. One afternoon, we noticed Bronce had a problem with his eyes. The next morning, the vet gave us the news that would have a permanent impact on the rest of Bronce's life... he was going blind - and quickly - from untreated uveitis (moonblindness). The vet said that the current episode of uveitis, or moonblindness, was not his first and the quick spread of damage was most likely caused by untreated prior episodes. Just 3 years earlier, the young horse had passed his sale's vet check with flying colors and with no known hereditary predisposition to this condition, we were at first stunned.
So - what to do? For a while, we just doctored Bronce and pampered him. Since the partners did not feel he would be usable for riding and he was smaller than adver-tised, a deal was struck and we became Bronce's owners.

A year passed and then another as Bronce's eyesight continued to worsen. Bronce went on a year-long 'vacation' at a friend's farm. Then came the news we dreaded - he was now completely blind. Even so, this amazing stallion learned to exercise himself by gaiting along the fence, doing rollbacks and spins, figure-8's and crisscrossing his paddock. He did this every morning for about 20 minutes, then would settle into a peaceful routine of grazing and napping. Our friend tried to ride him while he was there, but he would only move under saddle if he was being led. Our hopes to experience his smooth, fast gait were dimming rapidly.

Knowing that he was going blind, we had kept a fly mask on Bronce to protect him from everyday objects that might get in his eyes, but he needed something more if we were ever to ride him. I purchased a special racing hood from an Australian company called Zelco. It had stainless steel mesh screens covering the eyes to protect them from clods of dirt being thrown up on the racetrack. It seemed like a perfect solution to protecting Bronce's eyes from being hit by branches and other objects he could no longer see.

One Saturday a year and a half ago, we loaded Bronce, now 8 years old, on to our trailer along with my husband's Paso gelding, Pete, and headed for the Dawson Forest trails in north Georgia. At this point, it had been nearly 4 years since Bronce had been ridden out on trails and his first ride since going completely blind. We saddled up and headed down the 'orange' trail. The rest - as they say - is history! Bronce stepped right out and I discovered his naturally and incredibly smooth gait. I'm not sure why he moved out for me but not for our friend who took such good care of him, but he did. I'd like to claim the ride went
 

without a hitch, but there were a couple of times when Bronce momen-tarily lost his nerve. Within minutes though, he was right back on track.
 

We did not push that day, although we rode for about two hours. The trails were occasionally challenging with switchbacks, rocks, puddles, and a wooden bridge to cross. I just concentrated on what cues Bronce needed in order to trust me and what things he needed more or less help with to maneuver on the trail safely. I rode him in a simple training bosal - no bit. I was especially grateful that day for the breeding and bloodlines which made this horse so willing to trust me. OK - I confess - I did ask him to move out on the way back that day when we reached a clear stretch of dirt road. How much faith and courage does a blind horse have who will largo his heart out on a road he can never see - on a path he has never experienced? I am in awe of this horse. He is kind, willing, courageous, and true to his bloodlines.

Our next trail ride was the infamous Frady Branch "Oops" Trail ride. We arrived late - as usual - and followed our best guess as to the direction the group had taken. We were wrong. We went up and over some pretty technical trails and then came to.... the "Drop Off" - a 6 foot high, 2-step bank into a creek - bordered on one side by a 4 foot deep ditch - all on a 6 foot wide trail.... Although I had ridden Bronce over downed trees, small ditches, rocks and more to get to this point, I decided to dismount and attempt to lead him down the bank and through the creek. I clambered down into the creek and coaxed him to step down to the halfway point - a narrow ledge less than a foot wide. When both hooves were solid on the step, I moved farther out into the creek and encouraged him to follow my voice and the pull on his reins. After a few moments' hesitation, he gathered his courage and made a blind 'leap of faith' and stepped off the ledge another 3 feet down into the creek. Never have I been so amazed at a horse's faith in his rider!

Since then, Bronce has participated in more trail rides, an all-breed poker ride, fun classes at a GA PFHA Open House, and the Lost Posse Limited Endurance Ride mentioned at the beginning of this article. We especially want to thank the management of the Lost Posse ride for allowing us to enter and all our experienced Paso endurance friends who gave us so many useful pointers prior to the ride. We entered as a practice run to learn more about the sport of endurance racing. We intended to ride only the first 15 mile loop and experience our first official vet check. Not being familiar with endurance rides, we learned a lot on that first attempt! Bronce and Pete covered about 80% of the distance and we plan to try for a completion next time.

Bronce gathered quite a few friends and admirers at the Lost Posse that weekend, most of whom were initially convinced he wasn't really blind because he moved with such confidence and agility. We had to prove he was 100% blind, but that it clearly doesn't mean that a blind horse is unable to have a useful life. We plan to return with him next season and in the meantime, hope to put some Bronce babies on the ground to carry on in their father's hoofprints!


Arrowhead Paso Finos, now at their new location in Pine Mountain, GA (only 4 miles from Calloway Gardens), invite you to see their purpose-bred Paso Finos intended for pleasure, trail, and endurance. Contact Sandy Mixson at 706-290-4797, fastlargo@aol.com, www.arrowheadpasofinos.com. Photo credits: Lost Posse; GA Open House-Heidi;  Dawson Forest Trail-Greg Mixson

Follow-up note - Bronce and Sandy competed in the Largo Race at the 2006 Nationals Show and took 4th place!  Way to go!