FAQ
Caring For a Blind Horse
There is very little difference in caring for a well-adjusted blind horse than a sighted horse. With a few precautions, your blind horse will continue to enjoy doing the same horsey things they did prior to blindness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my horse to adjust to blindness?
Be patient with your horse as they adapt to a new way of life. Your horse may be scared at first. Give your horse time to adjust.
Horses with a less reactive temperament who gradually go blind seem to adjust fairly well.
In the early days of complete blindness, your horse may be scared and not want to leave their stall at first or move at all.
You may find yourself leading your blind horse, and they will suddenly stop and not want to move forward. This is perfectly normal. If you have a strong bond with your horse and they trust you, the adjustment period will go more smoothly.
Is it dangerous to have a blind horse?
This will depend on the temperament of the horse.
Some horses will adapt amazingly fast, while other horses may take more time. Then there are horses that might never safely adapt to a life of blindness.
There are some people who believe that any horse will adapt to blindness if given enough time. While this might be true, in the time it takes to adapt, it can be dangerous.
Dangerous for the horse and dangerous for the owner.
A horse with a reactive personality will have a tough time adjusting. They will be more likely to spook and possibly bolt and crash into things or even people.
A horse with a calm temperament will have a much better chance of successfully and safely adjusting to being blind.
What kind of fencing should I use?
Here are some fencing options that will be safe for a blind horse:
- Wooden plank fencing
- Vinyl fencing
- Mesh wire fencing
- Cattle panels
Electric fencing will depend on the horse. It’s possible your blind horse will touch the fence, panic, and turn back into the fence.
Our pony, Scout, is fine with our electric fence, but the only hot line is a lower line to keep the miniature horse in.
Regardless of fencing type, it should be high enough for the horse to feel or bump with its nose.
For obvious reasons, barbed wire should never be used.
Can my blind horse go in a pasture?
Absolutely!
If you have safe fencing and you’ve introduced your blind horse to the pasture and “show” them the perimeter, there’s no reason your blind horse can’t enjoy being in a pasture.
Once you “show” your blind horse the boundaries of their pasture, they will quickly figure out the area.
When introducing your blind horse to the pasture, lead them around the perimeter and tap on the fencing as you go.
Bring them where the stock tank is and tap on it and splash the water in the stock tank so they know where the water source is.
You’ll be surprised by how quickly they learn the layout of their pasture.
It’s important to make sure that there aren’t any obstacles or holes that your blind horse will trip over.
Can a blind horse be with a herd?
While a blind horse will do pretty well with one other companion, there are potential risks with living in a herd.
The dynamics change dramatically with even adding a third horse into the mix.
Your blind horse could be bullied or injured since they won’t be able to see body language, like pinned ears or other threatening cues.
If you do decide to introduce your blind horse to a herd, it will require careful monitoring to make sure the blind horse isn’t being bullied.
Can I trailer my blind horse?
Again, this will depend on your horse.
If your horse was well-trained and loaded easily prior to going blind, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to load your horse into a trailer.
This could be necessary if your horse needs to be hauled to the vet.
Training your horse using the command “Step” or “Step Up”, will help so they know they have to step up into the trailer.
The command also works with unloading. Your horse will learn they have to step down using the “Step” command.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a trailer with a ramp, it should be even easier to load and unload your blind horse.
Can I ride my blind horse?
This will depend on both you and your horse.
If you have a well-trained, level-headed horse and you’re comfortable, there’s no reason why you can’t ride your blind horse.
It’s best to ride in an area with good footing, preferably a riding arena, to start with.
Your blind horse may be a little hesitant at first, but with consistency, your blind horse will recognize and relax the more you ride.
Regular rides will give your blind horse an opportunity to safely exercise guided by your hands and legs.
Your blind horse will learn to enjoy the freedom of movement during your rides.
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When Scout or Scouty, as we affectionately call him, was fifteen, he was diagnosed with uveitis and tested positive for low exposure to leptospirosis. At the time of the diagnosis, the veterinarian determined that Scout was completely blind in his right eye, but still...
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