Horse's Eyesight

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Does anyone know if it's possible to test a horse's eyesight?

Sometimes my horse will do such weird things I wonder whether she needs glasses!!:D
 
Been wondering the same and was going to post a similar topic...I know a few such as looking for cloudiness, taking them into a dark space to make sure they dilate properly, and flashing your hand near their eye for a normal flinch reaction etc but otherwise I think vet trip to have a look.
 
The startle test is easy but a smart horse will feel the rush of air as your hand comes fast towards his eye and flinch anyway, regardless of whether he can see! Another test is to set up an obstacle course in your arena. Put a load of odd stuff for him to negotiate, eg opened umbrella, feed sack, wheelbarrow upside down etc etc. Lead him round on both reins and watch for horrified reactions and spooking. More often than not a sudden deterioration in eyesight will be preceded by very obvious eye problems such as cloudy/milky patches, the sticky goo of conjunctivitis, swollen eyes, excessive tear production and so on. I expect your ned is just happily loopy x
 
I second Box-of-Frogs - friend and I took her pony to the Royal Vet because he had a cataract in one eye and she was worried about the other.

They looked into his eyes with an opthalmoscope and fiddled about for a while, then much to our surprise they put out an obstacle course starting with large objects and finishing with a water bucket as the smallest object.

The vet nurse lead him down one side then the other, and in and out of things to see how he reacted. Not exactly rocket science, although the bill made my friend's eyes water!
 
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