I think my horse is partially sighted

[Lozza23]

Would really appreciate some advice please.
I have a 4 year old cob cross that we bought/rescued from a dealer back in June. She was basically unhandled but came quite quick as she has a lovely nature. She was relatively straight forward to break but doesn’t like lowering her head on the lunge, especially on the right rein (may be that she’s evading but hindsight I think it may have something to do with her eyes). She was very spooky to longline out on the road and TERRIFIED of leaves or anything small blowing towards her or under her. General traffic/bins/roadworks not an issue. She then started getting quite naughty to hack so cut long story short we just worked in the school. We turned her away in November and over the past month it’s like she has become terrified of me even though I have done absolutely nothing to her. She can be a nightmare to muck out around in the stable, threatening to go over door and rearing at wall to get away from me. If I’m approaching her on the right she’s okay but will go the opposite way if I approach her on the left although she’s better being lead on my right(so her left). On another occasion she has jumped out of arena going through the fence to try and get away from me whilst I was trying to catch her. I have noticed this evening bringing her in in the dark she followed one of my other horses around the field and onto the yard to come in, nearly walking into the wheelbarrow that was in the middle of the yard when I took the other horse away. She’s an anxious horse anyway due to probably a horrific upbringing but it’s like shes getting more and more scared of me and will fling herself around the stable if I walk towards the door. It’s really sad to see.
We have vets coming up for vacs next week so will be getting vets to check. Just wandered if anyone else experienced this with their horse that was partially sighted and what the outcome was as I really dont think she would cope living like this, especially if it gets worse.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I can't help I'm afraid as no experience of handling a partially sighted horse. However I'd be really interested to see what replies you might get from others who have. It sounds like there could be a lot to unpick around why she is so reactive so great you've got the vet coming.

ETA - I hope you can get some answers soon.

 

[SEL]

My Appaloosa is night blind (congenital stationary night blindness CSNB) & vet thinks partially sighted in her left eye. Nothing obvious on exam but vet thinks her peripheral vision isnt all there. Appys are prone to eye issues sadly.

She likes consistency and is very on her toes in new places - much prefers to have other horses show her the way - but generally it doesn't bother her too much.

I'll be interested to hear what your vet thinks. I've known horses with cataracts and an ex polo horse who was completely blind in one eye manage fine. I've also sadly known someone where vision issues were the first sign of a tumour in their horse - I very much hope yours isn't this serious.

 

[Chinchilla]

I also have a night blind appaloosa and will just add that verbal commands will absolutely be your lifeline.

 

[ycbm]

I have put down a four year old who was losing his sight. He was dangerously reactive to handle and a very scared horse. Your vet should be able to diagnose, mine could see cell death on the edge of the retina.
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[Lozza23]

I have put down a four year old who was losing his sight. He was dangerously reactive to handle and a very scared horse. Your vet should be able to diagnose, mine could see cell death on the edge of the retina.
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This is I think the issue with mine, she’s been mistreated previously and she is very anxious and is genuinely scared of new people. She wouldn’t cope partially blind sadly.

 

[SEL]

This is I think the issue with mine, she’s been mistreated previously and she is very anxious and is genuinely scared of new people. She wouldn’t cope partially blind sadly.

Not every horse can. There is a fully blind Appy who does all sorts of incredible stuff under saddle with his rider -- I've seen him used as an example that ALL horses can manage without their vision. Other owners have struggled though and i think you have to judge by the horse in front of you.

 

[vmac66]

My last horse slowly lost his sight due to bilateral uveitis. He became very reactive to sounds and would bronc if I was riding. Put it down to being naughty at the time.
Have you tried moving something in his, stable, such as his haynet. I forgot to put the net in one day and pony walked straight into the wall. He would also miss the doorway and always put his nose near his feed bucket but not in it. Horses map their environment and if they cannot see properly this can cause problems.
If in doubt a vet can do an opthalmic exam.