My horse is totally blind?

Question

my 13 year old arabian went totally blind yesterday (the vet says its moon blindness). she is having a stressful time adjusting (understandable), if anyone has any suggestions on caring for a blind horse and making things easier, please let me know. i plan to put gravel by the fences so she can know where they are.

another problem is with her pasture buddy, he is a bully, but if i try to take him away she get upset and starts running into fences, even if i put a different horse with her. any ideas on what to do?

Answer 1

Find her a friend that she can follow around  put a bell on what ever becomes her new best friend (horse, goat, sheep) What ever you choose as a friend can not be taken away from her. How would you feel if you were blind and every one left you alone?

DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. example if you move her water four feet to the right of where it has always been she may not be able to find it.

Answer 2

I'm sorry about your horse. I know there are many blind horses that adjust d fine. I don't have much advice because i don't have any experience with blind horses but maybe your horse likes her  pasture buddy. Even if it's a bully, maybe it's a love, hate relationship, ya know. I would see how it goes with her companion now and just make sure you have a good trust level with her, because that is the only way it will work. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

You might try introducing a goat, to work it's way into becoming a seeing eye goat....they are very loyal and won't venture far from the one that they know is depending on it...then, after your mare gets attached to the goat, maybe you can move the bully out and just let the goat take care of the issue, they are very serious about their mission and make very good companion partners for blinded animals.

Answer 4

You've gotten some good suggestions.  I'd just like to suggest putting a bell on your bully horse so she can hear him coming.

I'm having similar issues, though my horse is blind in only one eye.  Nonetheless, his companion (whom he loves) is a bully and knows he can run up to him on that side and be mean.  If my blind guy can hear him coming, he can whirl and be ready for him; without it he was getting bashed.

I'd suggest putting them in stalls side by side for a bit until she gets used to the dark, and taking them for walks around the field together until she's relearned her surroundings.  The gravel is a great idea.  Another thing you can do is electrify the fence - most horses can hear it, though we can't.

Once she's relearned her surroundings, you may be able to wean her away from her buddy, but it would be extremely stressful to try it before she's adjusted to the blindness.

Good luck with her.  Your caring nature shows, and I commend you.

Answer 5

Approach her very slowly, talk to her to let her know that you are coming. Treat her like a seeing horse, just be more cautious. Putting gravel by the fence is a very good idea. Just keep her comfortable. She will get used to it in no time and be almost the same horse.

Answer 6

I had a 22 year old go completely blind... when we bought him she didn't tell us he was blind in one eye.. then he went completely blind and we used him for rodeo so it was a big blow.. what your doing so far is good just keep her in a small area.. so she can get comfortable and used to that one area and she will relax and take it better... talk to her constantly rub her  anything to get her to relax about her eyes.. hope that helps good luck

Answer 7

You have already received some very good answers.  I own 2 totally  blind horses. (also from moon blindness)  They were together for years before we took them.  We talk to them a lot and always tell them what we are doing....such as touching them with their fly masks before putting them on their heads.  We always run our hands around their bodies when we walk around them and talk to them as much as possible.  Their sense of hearing and smell has become extrodinary.  Also, we try not to change things in their pasture.  We keep water etc. always in the same place.  Our horses seem to know exactly how many steps things are when they want to get to them.   Use plastic pool noodles to cushion sharp edges and points your horse might bump herself on.  These horses were never stalled so we added a nice enclosed run in on the back of our barn with a doorway that is always open.  They like to be near us and to hear our voices inside as we clean our miniature horse's stalls and we also have a radio on very low most of the time.  They seem to like that also.  Give your horse some time to adjust.  Be patient and remember.....blind horses see with their hearts.  You might just be amazed at how well a blind horse can get around.  Give your girl a big hug from me.   OK?

Answer 8

I am so sorry:( Your horse will get the hang of things! I would be there for him and spend a lot of time leading him around, he really needs to trust you! Hope I helped! Also...about his pasture buddy...is it possible to get another blind horse that can get around? Or a good friend to your horse. Being with someone like you helps a lot and.....

Answer 9

You horse can have many years ahead of him.I rode a blind horse for many years,he knew the area well and we worked together,he trusted me to be his guide so to speak. Arm yourself with as much information you can,this is an adjustment for both of you.This horse will depend on you to be his eyes and keep him safe.I have known a few blind horses and some of them live useful lives it depends on the horse.Did your vet tell you if your horse is in pain?There are treatments for moonblindness or peridodic ophthalmia,or recurrent uveitis with various sucess,no gurantees and very expensive.If you can get a book by Michael A.Ball DVM called The Equine Eye excellent info for the layman,published by The Bloodhorse Lexington,Ky. Also here is a link to Cornell University www.vet.cornell.edu/consult.asp click on help for other links but check it all out on this page. Dr.Maurice E. White also has his homepage here and you can e-mail his too.For now you could put a bell on the bully and your arabian can hear him coming. Always talk to him to let him know where you are and be careful it's a strange world for him now.He will fall on his instincts of smell and feel and the survial instinct of flight or fight until he adjusts.

Answer 10

There are many horses that are blind that lead long happy lives. Horses most animals can adjust very well (unlike humans they don't miss or complain about what they've lost and instead concentrate on using what they have.)

I've worked with 2 blind mares, one older (in her early 30's when she lost her sight)  that was no longer ridden, she stayed alone in her own special paddock next to the other horses, close enough for company but not able to chase or kick her. Just had to make sure everything stayed the same and things like her hay, water, food ect stayed in pretty much the same location.

The other was a younger show mare that after a period of adjustment went on to continue showing and being reasonably successful at it.

I would for now at least try to keep her with the horse she's with. In a way it's good that he is alpha as she already knows to follow his lead ect. Right now she feels sage safe with him to guide her -- hence the panic when he's gone.  I've saw people put bells on the companion horse so if the blind one gets seperated they can easily locate it again.

Also be very sure to always talk around her so she knows where your located at all times, scrub your feet slightly when you walk near her so she'll know where your moving to ect.. If she's still adjusting and afraid and you walk up without her knowing and touch her it might startle her into kicking in self defense.

A goat might be a good idea but you'll need to leave it until she actually gets attached to it before removing the other horse or she'll panic again.

Answer 11

what i would do is work with the  horse and its partner by doing that i am helping her relax and learn to get used to moon blindness.