Any ideas to prevent my horse from scratching his eye?

[bella_456]

Hello everyone,
any advice or help would be appreciated !!!

My pony has ongoing non-ulcerative keratitis and when he has flare ups he decides to itch it and then gives himself corneal ulcers. He is on daily medication for this however I am trying to come up with ideas to prevent him from contaminating his eye and causing more ulcers (they are becoming too frequent ). He is currently turned out in a fly mask to prevent wind blowing stuff in etc. and it does seem to help however with the material being floppy he then scratches himself with the flymask itself! I have been researching horse eye protection, recovery masks etc. and they look like just what we need but they are so expensive so trying to research alternatives so I guess I am wondering if anyone has seen anything similar I could try or has any other genius ideas? We just need something that he cant itch himself with.
Thank you in advance

 

[HollyWoozle]

What kind of mask are you using? I think a tougher mask is really the only answer - some of them are quite sturdy now but yes, they are quite expensive to start with unfortunately.

We like this one which has a rigid band in it to stop the mask folding in: https://www.charliesproducts.co.uk/...s-horse-ranch-high-brow-eye-protection-shade/

We use one for our Appy who has had uveitis and one for our old Welshy whose eyes run a bit - he rubs without a mask and makes them sore too, but we have no issues with this one. It depends on how determined your horse is though I suppose.

I hope you can figure something out for him.

 

[paddy555]

. If you go onto the FB ERU group and ask you may find someone who has a recovery mask for sale. Post enunciation etc they may not need it. You may in fact find some suggestions on there as to alternatives.

There is also this. I have no experience of this so no idea if it is good or bad.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1650187539/horse-recovery-eye-protector-mask?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=eye+protection+mask+mini+horse&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&content_source=24b30d0143c2d955cad0c40372a96d65526cc7c1%253A1650187539&organic_search_click=1

 

[criso]

When my horse injured his eye the vet college gave me this. The eye cover has holes so they can see out a bit but not full light.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I have seen some use a bra to protect an eye!

 

[[69117]]

You need an equivisor or protective mask. You can buy these online or from the vet.

 

[bella_456]

What kind of mask are you using? I think a tougher mask is really the only answer - some of them are quite sturdy now but yes, they are quite expensive to start with unfortunately.

We like this one which has a rigid band in it to stop the mask folding in: https://www.charliesproducts.co.uk/...s-horse-ranch-high-brow-eye-protection-shade/

We use one for our Appy who has had uveitis and one for our old Welshy whose eyes run a bit - he rubs without a mask and makes them sore too, but we have no issues with this one. It depends on how determined your horse is though I suppose.

I hope you can figure something out for him.

Hi Holly,
Thank you for your response. We are currently using a standard fly mask with 90% UV protection. but the mesh material that comes with fly masks worries me when he chooses to roll/scratch himself.
I have looked at that link and it looks more within my price range and sturdy just wondering if we would still have the same issue of him using the material as an itch post? He is not that determined when in the field but does like a good roll and the vets are saying this could be part of the issue (obviously not going to stop him rolling just if we can try prevent irritating the eye during him rolling)
Thank you !

 

[bella_456]

You need an equivisor or protective mask. You can buy these online or from the vet.

That is what I have been looking at but was hoping to find alternatives that are not £200

 

[bella_456]

When my horse injured his eye the vet college gave me this. The eye cover has holes so they can see out a bit but not full light.


View attachment 153144

ooo that looks good maybe I will have a look for that !

 

[bella_456]

I have seen some use a bra to protect an eye!

We have had many laughs at the yard considering this option just not sure if it is a permanent solve ...

 

[bella_456]

. If you go onto the FB ERU group and ask you may find someone who has a recovery mask for sale. Post enunciation etc they may not need it. You may in fact find some suggestions on there as to alternatives.

There is also this. I have no experience of this so no idea if it is good or bad.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1650187539/horse-recovery-eye-protector-mask?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=eye+protection+mask+mini+horse&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&content_source=24b30d0143c2d955cad0c40372a96d65526cc7c1%253A1650187539&organic_search_click=1

I have requested to join that group thank you !! and that etsy find looks amazing not sure how I missed it
Thank you !!!

 

[AdorableAlice]

That is what I have been looking at but was hoping to find alternatives that are not £200

Just buy it, £200 is a pinch of salt compared to the loss of an eye. You don't get second chances with eye issues and they need to be micro managed.

 

[Cobxfan55]

I have seen some use a bra to protect an eye!

I have seen that on instagram

 

[tatty_v]

I use a guardian mask for one of mine. Yes they are pricey, but we haven’t had a uveitis flare up (touch wood) for years now.

 

[Cobxfan55]

I use a guardian mask for one of mine. Yes they are pricey, but we haven’t had a uveitis flare up (touch wood) for years now.

I just goggled that and it does look a brilliant gadget for a horse I hope you had a brilliant Christmas so for asking you in the middle of January

 

[Maddie Moo]

A pacifier hood could work as a temporary measure, they’re more rigid than a fly mask. Link

I tried to find the pacifier hood with the tinted full cups but they’re only available in the US / Japan. It might be worth asking a racing saddler if they could order the cups in separately?

This is it in clear. It’s very similar / the same look as @criso horse had.