HELP, think we've got an eye problem

[Bossdog]

Katie has been getting progressily spookier as we've had her and in the last two weeks she has freaked out really badly at nothing. I totally believe that it is genuine, she isn't being naughty at all, today she spooked in the field and was staring into space whilst her field mate (who's quite sharp) didn't even lift his head. Yesterday the saddler came (first time she's been ridden since we had her) and she just went mad when I got on her, even though we've been doing loads of groundwork, she's been an absolute lamb. Then as I untacked her her eye seemed to turn inside out briefly, it was disgusting!! She has a blue circle on her eye too which we've just noticed and I can't find anything.

An eye problem would explain why is so calm 95% of teh time (a proper little plod) and so terrified the rest of the time. Does anybody have any idea what this might be? She doesn't have anything coming out of it and she was vetted clear 8 weeks ago but a gut instinct is telling me somthing isn't right, vet is coming tomorrow to swab her anyway but need to know if I'm on the right track!

 

[Llwyncwn]

When you say a blue circle, explain exactly what you mean. I would definitely get the vet out asap. Is there any gunge ?

However, on a positive note, with the sugars coming through strongly in the grass atm most peoples horses are acting a little odd

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Jules - does it look as if the cornea has clouded over to form this little blue circle? My horse had chronic (and shamefully unmanaged) conjunctivitis in both eyes before I bought him and almost overnight one eye totally degenerated and the cornea (the clear bit the horse actually looks through) clouded right over. A milky-bluey look to it. You could be looking at a condition called superficial keratitis. You're right - your horse needs the vet NOW - you can't mess about with eyes! Good luck and please let everyone know how it pans out.

 

[blackcob]

Agree with Sunnymum - my horse is blind in her right eye from a trauma injury as a foal, the eye has a milky blue ring around where the pupil would be and a slight blue cast over the remains of the pupil. Vet diagnosed traumatic superficial keratitis, unfortunately it happened with her previous owner so don't know the exact circumstances that caused it. A quick google says that it can also be caused by infection, foreign bodies, eye defects and lack of sufficient tears. Good news is that it's not the end of the world, she competes at a bit of everything and even show judges have never noticed that she's half blind! Defo get the vet out asap though, quick action might save her sight if it's degenerating.