What Is Horse Blindness?

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), also known as Moon Blindness or Periodic Ophthalmia, is a leading cause of blindness in horses worldwide. It is one of the most common diseases of the equine eye, with an estimated prevalence of 2-25% in the United States.

What causes horse blindness?

In many horses, an ocular explanation for decreased vision is apparent. A common ocular disease that causes blindness is chronic uveitis, which can result in cataracts, severe synechiae formation, glaucoma and retinal detachment.

What are the signs of a horse going blind?

Changes in the coloration of the eyeball (white or blue haze), hair loss and/or redness around the eye, and mild squinting are also indicative that something is wrong. It is common for horses to rub their eyes when there’s mild discomfort, and this conduct may exacerbate the initial problem.

Is moon blindness in horses painful?

The condition is often not outwardly painful, but leads to gradual destruction of ocular tissues and degeneration of structures in the eye, resulting in vision loss. This form is most common in Appaloosas and has been observed in Draft breeds.

Why do horses get moon blindness?

Equine recurrent uveitis (moon blindness or periodic ophthalmia) is one of the most common eye problems in horses and the leading cause of blindness. It’s an immune-mediated disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks its own eye tissues.

Can blind horses be ridden?

Some horses adapt well enough that they can be ridden, while others might never be safe to ride. The rider of a blind horse is responsible for the horse’s safety as well as his own, so riding anywhere outside of an arena might be too challenging to be enjoyable.

Can you ride a horse while blind?

Blind riders lead their horses out of the barn and into the arena or riding ring. Riders follow verbal cues from the instructor and take cues from footing and sounds to determine when they and their horses have arrived at their destination.

When should you euthanize a blind horse?

Blind horses that persist in exhibiting dangerous behavior after being allowed a generous trial period for adjustment may need to be euthanized for safety reasons. In other instances, owners may not have the resources to provide a suitable environment for a sightless horse.

What is the most common cause of eye problems in the horse?

Horses are particularly vulnerable to ocular trauma because their eyes are large and positioned on the sides of the head. Corneal ulcers are one of the most common eye conditions caused by trauma. The cornea is a transparent membrane in the front of the eye.

Can moon blindness be reversed?

The term “moon blindness” was a term from the 1600s, when people thought it was temporary blindness influenced by moon phases. The damage cannot be reversed, but surgeries and proper care can prolong your horse’s vision.

Is there a vaccine for moon blindness in horses?

A new vaccine can protect horses from leptospirosis, an infectious bacterial disease that has been linked to equine recurrent uveitis (ERU, or moon blindness), late-term abortion in pregnant mares and other serious effects. It’s the first vaccine against this disease licensed specifically for horses.

Can ivermectin cause blindness in horses?

The severity of clinical signs associated with ivermectin intoxication depends upon the level of exposure and age of animals and includes lethargy, bradycardia, ataxia, hypersalivation, vomiting, muscular tremors, mydriasis, coma, obtundation, respiratory failure, apparent blindness and even death [2, 3, 14, 15].

How can I stop night blindness?

Try the following to possibly prevent night blindness:

1. Eat foods that have Vitamin A. Some suggestions include:
2. Get regular eye exams. See an eye specialist consistently so that they can figure out early if you have problems with your eyes.
3. Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun.
4. Exercise.

How do blind horses cope?

They don’t have the trauma of the loss of something and they don’t have the emotional stress. I think with horses that are blind in both eyes, they learn to rely on other senses just like humans, hearing and smell and a level of acuity. Like humans, they utilize their other senses to adapt to the best of their ability.

Are blind horses happy?

So if you provide a safe environment and keep other animals from bullying it, your blind horse will be a very happy animal … and grateful to you for the chance to live out its life. Will my blind horse have a good quality of life? Yes! Every blind horse wants to enjoy life.

Can a horse see its rider?

Does the horse see his rider? Horses are the classic far-sighted beings, although they are considered to have poor sight. It might seem that due to the very wide visual field, they should see the person sitting on their back, however it’s not the case, because the rider is in their blind spot.

Why do they blindfold horses before a race?

Many racehorse trainers believe that blinkers keep horses focused on what is in front, encouraging them to pay attention to the race rather than to distractions such as crowds. Additionally, driving horses commonly wear blinkers to keep them from being distracted or spooked, especially on crowded city streets.

When should you let an old horse go?

These are the three most common scenarios you’ll face that might result in a euthanasia decision: sudden severe illness or injury, slow decline in condition that causes quality of life to suffer, or temperament problems that cause a horse to become dangerous.

What age do horses pass away?

The average lifespan of a domestic horse is 20 to 30 years. Many horses go well beyond this average. 1 Ponies tend to live longer, with many ponies still serving as schoolmasters well into their 30s. A few ponies and horses may even reach the age of 40 or over.

What is the 20% horse rule?

The researchers found that an average adult light riding horse could comfortably carry about 20 percent of their ideal bodyweight. This result agrees with the value recommended by the Certified Horsemanship Association and the U.S. Cavalry Manuals of Horse Management published in 1920.

What are 3 signs that might indicate to you that a horse might be suffering from illness?

Signs of poor health and horses

• change in appetite or drinking habits.
• change in droppings or signs of diarrhoea.
• change in demeanour or behaviour.
• change in weight (either increase or decrease)
• change in coat/foot condition.