Half blind horse.

[Squeeks]

Hi!

Has anyone got any experience of owning/riding a horse that has lost the use of one eye. My friends pony has had a nasty accident recently with a electric fencing connector and is blind in one eye. Also his wound isn't healed yet and flys are abit of a problem because he keeps breaking his fly masks, i have a feeling he has been trying to rub it. He is a beautiful, loving horse, and he is only five and it seems a shame if he has to stay in his field for the rest of his life. Are there any excersises to help him adapt to his one sided vision because he seams really withdrawn at the moment?

:) Squeeks

[lynz+ollie]

yer, horses with one eye are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take a look at www.freewebs.com/lynz_event and look at all the pics, he only has one eye. also i saw a horse going round burghley last year with one eye. but it totally depends on the horse. if they loose the sight slowly it more likely they will cope than if they lose it suddenly. some horses ive seen have coped badly and had to be retierd, but nope ollie's a dude!

[Susara]

I can't give you any particular tips, but I can say that one-eyed horses don't necessarily have to be retired. My Y/O had a TB gelding that had lost his one eye in an accident. They jumped 1.7 courses in competition.

[Bacharel]

I knew a horse who was completely blind and would barrel race :)

[Peace]

Our best children's h/j pony is blind in one eye. Hasn't slowed her down a bit - she's still bringing the young'uns home in the ribbons. :) You do have to be a little careful with her on trail rides, not to let her run into things/other horses on that side.