Blind barrel racer Megan McLoughlin tells her story of disability, success | ABC Australia

Legally blind barrel racer Megan McLoughlin relies on echolocation to determine where to guide her trusty horse, Biscuit, in the arena.
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[@user-ll5tv1bc7w]

This is very inspiring for me! I barrel raced as a teenager. But I haven't run barrels in a VERY long time! I finally have horses again and my husband bought me an awesome barrel horse. At 53, and being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, I'm losing my vision. People have told me it's too dangerous for me. This has left me terrified to race again. I'm very rusty and don't see very well, but I still have a lot more than 7% vision. Which has me thinking I need to cowgirl up! I'm heading to the barn to saddle up! Thank you for the kick in the pants! 🤠

[@eckosters]

Wonderful. I’m by no means a horse expert but I did ride - English - for many years, all recreationally. I don’t ride anymore but the last few years of my riding were special for 1 reason, namely that my horse was blind (she wasn’t mine, but I was the only one who rode her). She had cataracts. She was a thoroughbred-Arabian mix and had been in competitions. I learned so much from her! The most amazing thing was that she trusted me to not run her into the side boards. My guess she had enough vision left to sense where they were, but still: coming across the diagonal in flying lead changes we trusted each other to get there and be loving the experience.
Good luck for you in all your endeavours

[@billyroke]

Love the story Megs! inspirational

[@andreak9286]

Love this! What a great story - inspirational 😍

[@user-dl8rx8fv2c]

Keep doing you. I have always done things people told me I can’t. Showing my stud was one of them. Be you.

[@nataliemudge5951]

Great work and style, Megan

[@jenniferwatson7118]

Awesome!

[@andriamsimpsonrussell]

I've been saying this for years! A disABILITY is only an ABILITY not yet achieved🎉 Megan has serious abilities and a wonderful partner in Biscuit.

[@RaggedyMama]

I love this