Equine cataract / behaviour issues

[P4NN]

Ok trying to keep a long story short....

I purchased my mare 10 years ago when she was 3.5 and the 5 stage revealed that she had a very small congenital cataract. I was told at the time it wouldn't bother her and wouldn't get bigger as it is a small defect that occurred inutero.

Ok my mare growing up hasn't been the easiest mare to deal with as she has always been rather sharp. But, she has improved with age and been a truly loyal friend and adapted well to my increasing disability. I've always kept the cataract at the back of my mind and always been aware of it when coming into dark arenas or out into the daylight, riding in unfamiliar arenas etc.....

Anyway over the past few months her behaviour has become very erratic! She has been twirling and running away at absolutely nothing whilst schooling. She managed to ditch me twice in one session and smashed my hat and confidence in the process.

Speaking to the vet we decided the warm weather was keeping her in season so at the beginning of December we have given her the improvac injection (hormone jab) to cover her winter as well as the jab she gets in the spring to cover her summer seasons. He thought we'd turned a corner with her behaviour as we saw an improvement this week. But again to day she reverted back!

My trainer (international pro) rides her before I do and he too feels like he's knocking his head against a wall. We've stayed nice and calm and relaxed and allow her to work in a relaxed manner, but she for no reason stops spins and tries to run.

Back, teeth, and saddle/bridle fit is all good and nothing to report. She's exercised daily and gets turnout. Feed regime the same etc....
The only thing we can think of is her eyesight is the problem?! Maybe the cataract has got bigger.... I don't know? The vet is due to come out on Tuesday.

As I have 4 days to let the worry set in even further, I thought I'd put it out here. Has anyone else had experience of this kind of behaviour? Experience of horses with eyesight problems? The treatments involved. Did you overcome the issues etc....

Any advice/ experiences are muchly appreciated.

 

[DollyDolls]

I had a horse who had a cataract in one eye. He was a sharp, well bred warm blood who needed regular work.

Anyway, after at least 5yrs of ownership he was out of regular work due to babies and when I started riding again he was rearing and throwing himself on the floor in a panic.

I got the vet out and was convinced he was going blind in his good eye.

He was examined and I was told he'd gone totally blind and I shouldn't ride him.

I had insurance and was prepared to think about surgery if this was an option.
I got a specialist opthalmic vet out and his opinion was very different and actually his cataract was still minor and shouldn't be affecting his vision that much.

At the time we put it down to him eating something like hemlock.

However his behaviour deteriorated and he became more aggressive to handle and towards my other horses.
For the safety of those looking after him and the safety of my other horses I pts.


My advice is to not second guess what is really going on and if you suspect eye problems then go straight for a specialist with all the equipment.