Equine cataracts / behaviour problem

[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.





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[JanetGeorge]

It may NOT be a cataract (unless your mare is one of the breeds in which they are more common). A 3 year old ID of mine failed her vetting for grading because she allegedly had cataracts (she'd have been the 1st ID in the country!) It was just a sight difference in the opacity of the lens (confirmed by a specialist.)

Definitely get it looked at because if it IS a cataract and has grown, it might be the problem. But hormones could be just as much to blame. It's been a mild winter to date - ALL my mares are coming into season still.

But - it's probably pain related. If you have a thermal imager near you it might be an idea to have her lookewd at in this way. It won't give a diagnosis but it will show if and where there is pain.

 

[P4NN]

Thanks Janet

Unfortunately she is one of the suseptible breeds. She an IDxTB.

Funnily enough I do have a thermal imager coming out before the vet does Tuesday.

I'm a really worry pot when it comes to my girlie and do have a tendency to over think things.

 

[JanetGeorge]

They've been found in TBs (but then there ARE a hell of a lot of TBs - and they do tend to be checked for everything at an early age. It's definitely worth looking for enlargement - or more.

The thermal imager should be able to pinpoint most areas of pain - even ulcers. Mine's coming Tuesday - I have a few 'interesting' ones for her to look at (it's a hell of a lot cheaper than having a full veterinary examination and helps get the vet targeted!)

If she has the all clear, then I'd look at ANY changes in feed, paddock companions, etc. Behaviour can be influenced in ALL sorts of ways!