How to Travel With a Mini-Horse on American Airlines

Earlier this month, American Airlines welcomed an unusual passenger on some of its aircraft – Fred, the miniature service horse. Michigan resident Ronica Froese was concerned about how the airline would treat her and Fred considering the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) new proposition to ban any non-dog service animal, but she says the roundtrip journey was totally smooth.

No Long Faces on This AA Flight

Fred is part of Froese’s animal-assisted therapy nonprofit, Little Horses Big Smiles Inc. He was prepped for months prior to the flights, and his owner even ponied up the money for two first-class seats on the plane to ensure Fred had a comfortable journey. The pair trekked from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ontario, California on two separate legs with a layover in Dallas-Fort Worth. Fred navigated check-in, security, and boarding like a champ, and the passengers and crew were all ecstatic to have the mini horse on the flight.

Froese took as much precaution as possible before boarding Fred onto the aircraft. She made sure to dress him in a full-body outfit to help those that have horse allergies. She said in a post on social media, “The full-body leisurewear sleazy is to be respectful of people who are on the plane that are allergic to horses. It’s a respect and thoughtful decision I made per the suggestion of my fellow service horse handler Jessica Wellman. Good thing he had it on the one Flight attendant in first class on our first flight was allergic to horses. She thanked me so much for having him bathed and covered.”

Although the duo received a few funny looks from other travelers, she says the trip was a breeze. In another post, she said, “Our trip was the ABSOLUTE best trip I could have imagined. Fred amazing, Gerald R Ford International Airport employees amazing, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport employees amazing, American Airlines employees on both flights Amazing, and most of all the 99% of the general public we have met SO KIND. I’m so proud of this little horse. We make an amazing team. He was destined for this job.”

Facebook, Fred-Mini Service Horse

DOT Proposal

There is a blurred line between service animals and emotional support animals that has become a subject of debate. In this case, Fred’s behavior on the flight was phenomenal. He never galloped out of line and is a testament to all the neigh-sayers of what an excellent service animal should act like.

The issue that has come up recently regarding emotional support animals (ESA) is that many travelers are obtaining forged documents claiming their pet as an ESA, and those pets have included rabbits, parrots, lizards, hedgehogs, and all sorts of interesting animals. On most airlines, this allows the animal to fly for free, but there have been cases of these untrained pets leaving messes on aircraft and even biting other passengers and cabin crewmembers. Because of this, the DOT has proposed a new rule that would classify any emotional support animal that offers companionship as pets and those that provide support for mobility as service animals. Furthermore, the proposal would allow airlines to ban any non-dog service animal, meaning Fred would not make the cut.

Froese believes there is a problem with people who abuse the system, but thinks only allowing service dogs would keep qualified, trained animals, such as mini horses, from doing their jobs. She explained her stance on the matter, “It is out of control, it’s a very abused process, there are a lot of untrained service animals on the plane that are not trained. It’s definitely an abused system, but the sad part is what the DOT is looking at doing, they are looking at excluding me as a handler from taking my horse on the plane.”