Fleming teaches her horse to understand sign language
Fleming Mieke Lannoo has taught her horse Happy a dozen signs from the SMOG sign language system, which is composed of simplified signs from Flemish Sign Language. After a training period of about two months, the animal can now carry out a series of instructions and respond to signals from the trainer using these simple and intuitive hand gestures.
The horse was already obedient and familiar with a series of instructions, but had to learn a second language, as it were. “Next to, stop, back... those are all words he already knew,” explained Lannoo. “I just had to attach a sign to them. For him, it was as if he suddenly had to learn a new language.”
According to Lannoo, other horses can also learn to understand sign language. However, a good relationship with the animal is essential. “For me, understanding how a horse thinks always comes first. Only when that foundation is in place can you apply such a system.”
The method can be useful in interacting with people with language problems, where traditional verbal communication is difficult and visual support plays an important role. SMOG, which stands for Spreken Met Ondersteuning van Gebaren (Speaking With the Support of Signs), is used by people with autism, intellectual disabilities or early-stage dementia, amongst others.
The initiative comes from the Flanders Horse Expo in Ghent, where SMOG & Co is this year's charity. On Friday, Happy and Lannoo gave a demonstration. “We show how to communicate with horses and how to communicate with people, and bring the two together.”
With this project, the organisers want to encourage new applications for SMOG, including in healthcare and hippotherapy.
#FlandersNewsService | Trainer Mieke Lannoo and her horse Happy at the Flanders Horse Expo fair in Ghent © BELGA PHOTO JONAS DHOLLANDER