Is he going blind?

C

Cobland

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Was grooming Murphy today, was brushing around his face and notice a blue tint from his eyes. Checked the other horses and they dont have it.

Hes not walking into anything.

Going to get the vet out, but am i worrying over nothing???
 
Check again in a different light and see if it still shows up. Sometimes the light can cause this effect.
 
It was the natural light that was coming in to the stable. I just panicked a bit. Think its just me being over protective again!!
 
Nothing wrong in being over protective - we're not really happy unless we're worrying about some aspect of our horse, I'm convinced!
 
My friend put her finger up towards his eye, he only blinked when her finger was pretty close, so that made me panic more.
 
Horses are very adaptable. Our old lady has very little vision in one eye - maybe shadows but not much more. It doesn't affect her at all. The only way we found out was because she stopped lunging on one rein - when her blind eye was towards you so she couldn't see you. She was still jumping for years after she lost the vision and still thunders round the field.

The vet is never a bad idea when it comes to eyes though. If only to put your mind at rest.
 
I need to get Maes teeth done anyway so have to get him out, Murphy is 27 now. Ive got so close to him now that im dreading the day that something is going to go wrong.

He was rode on Saturday and went really well. However did notice that hes slowed down loads.
 
C Cob, you are right to be concerned about a blue tinge to a horse's cornea. I'd get the vet to have a good look. In the meantime, try the startle test which is just move your hand fast towards the horse's eye as if you are going to smack horsey in the face! Stop just in time and horsey should jerk back in surprise if he sees it coming. My horse developed superficial keratitis which eventually meant his eye had to be removed and the first sign was a blue tinged cornea, though other things were there too such as the eye watering. Vet, defo.
 
I would definitely have the vet check this out as it could easily be a corneal ulcer or suchlike. Most of these can be cured quite simply by administering eye ointments. I would never leave a horse with a cloud or discolouration in the eye - always have the vet check it.
smile.gif
 
Good idea. The old donkey I have just taken on is clearly having difficulty seeing, it's obvious by her actions and reactions. The middle of both eyes have a blue tinge which shows in any light.
 
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Calling the vet in the morning, even if its nothing then it will give me peace of mind

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I'm sure it will be nothing, but well worth doing. You can never be too careful when it comes to their eyes. Good luck, let us know what the vet said.
 
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