My horse might go blind :'(

[NonnasBabies]

*Hugs*

Missi

 

[Joz]

New Orleans eye-care vets: http://www.eyecenterforanimals.com/
Baton Rouge: www.vetmed.lsu.edu/vth&c/Ophthalmology.htm

I don't know how possible this is for you, but they're reasonably local resources.

 

[cassie]

Many years ago there was a trotting horse that was stone blind. He raced anyway. Just depended on his driver. I believe his name was Sleepy Tom.

 

[Soccer Mom]

I had a blind horse for many years. She was wonderful and did just fine. The most important thing is for the horse to trust you. She totally trusted me and would walk anywhere with me. The key is start teaching him some basic commands that can make things easier.

It is important that he learn "step up" and "step down" for getting into and out of trailers.

Does he have some good pasture pals? My mare's life was made much easier by a couple of good buddies who really looked out for her in the herd. They always made sure she stayed with them.

It is important to be very consistent with a blind horse. Food always in the same place. Water always in the same place. In fact, it helps to feed someplace where they don't have to compete for food, like tying everyone at feedtime or feeding in stalls (I don't know your set up."

Blindness needn't be the end for a long term friendship with your horse. I even rode my blind mare for some time. She lived for over ten years after blindness.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Sorry to hear about your horse.

We had an appy with moon blindness, she lost one eye completely.

I watched a video a while back from Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary, they deal specifically with blind horses. By no mean am I suggesting to get rid of your loved family member. It was just a really cool video, they do ride some of the horses that are completely blind and they also talk about what normal lives blind horses can have.

http://www.blindhorses.org/

Good luck!

 

[txredneckmedic]

Quote:
There was lady years ago in that blindhorse group that had a horse completely blind. They actually competed in a drill team and he was riden all the time.

Thats cool. My wifes paint is blind in one eye due to a accident with a former owner

 

[heritagebirds]

So sorry about that. My mare has always been prone to excessive tearing and eye infections, but she still sees great at 28. It her other parts that are starting to go. I don't know what can be done for your beautiful guy, but I hope something, 11 is so young.

 

[michickenwrangler]

DH's old Appaloosa had moon blindness. He had no sight in his right eye though his left eye was fine. Nevertheless, the two were still conditioning for endurance races. We just had to be careful jumping, preferring to go around rather than jump as they lose depth perception. Unfortunately, Orrie got into a nest of ground bees, was stung repeatedly, panicked and bolted, running through a barn wall. He was lacerated up so bad he would have bled to death so he ended up being shot. As a precaution, keep your pasture as bee free as you can

On a happier note, a friend of a friend had a cremello mare who was almost completely blind but they still used her for therapeutic riding. She was housed with a gentle AQHA gelding who was her "leader horse." She would follow him to water, into the stall (they took out their divider) and out in the morning. Blind horses often respond very well to vocal commads

Don't lose hope!