16.1h Clydesdale gelding, Boo, was blinded in January after being shot in the eye with an air gun. He had already lost his other eye to cancer so it was particularly cruel to have been shot in his one good eye.

Boo’s owner were struggling to cope with the day to day management of a blind horse and were worried that he might have to be put down.

They approached Redwings horse sanctuary who agreed to take him in. Redwings have facilities for caring for blind and partially sighted horses so Boo will be in good hands.

The RSPCA are recommending that horse owners plan for the future of their ageing equines by investing in ‘pony pensions’.

The charity has said that people should budget for the costs involved in caring for a horse past their working life. With horses living on average between 25 and 35 years that could be for a very long time.

There are also concerns over the increase in numbers of unwanted animals due to owners no longer being able to afford to keep them.

Last week the Horse Trust said that the demand to rehome equines had increased fivefold due to the recession.

Horses, ponies and donkeys can suffer from a variety of eye diseases including ulcers, fungal infections, swollen eye lids, blindness and cataracts.

It is important to have a vet check your horse if you suspect any kind of eye condition. Not only will the eye require attention but the symptoms can also be a sign of other serious medical problems.

Types of eye disease in horses include:

• Neoplasia of the Eyelids
• Corneal Ulceration
• Fungal Ulcers
• Corneal Abcesses
• Equine Cataracts
• Uveal Tract Disease
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Disease
• Sudden Blindness

Eye disease can be painful so it’s important to have a vet check your horse if you suspect any kind of eye condition. Not only will the eye require attention but the symptoms can also be a sign of other serious medical problems.

For the safety of the animal it is best to bring them into a stable or enclosed area whilst the problem is diagnosed and treated. Maybe provide a quiet companion to keep him company.

Treatment of equine eye conditions can include laser eye therapy, surgery or antibiotics.

Blind Horses

For many people, the biggest fear is that their horse could lose his sight. They assume that this brings an immediate death sentence for the animal. This need not necessarily be the case.
Before making a decision about having your horse put to sleep give him time to adjust to the darkness. You may just find that he adapts quickly to his new world.

Many horses that have gone blind adapt well to their disability and go on to lead long and happy lives.

Irish born actor Liam Neeson has expressed his opposition to a new bill aimed at banning horse drawn carriages from the streets of New York.

Neeson who lives in New York has written to the City Council to object against the planned move.
He wrote:

“As a horse lover and rider, I am deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and misguided political and extreme rhetoric against the horse-drawn carriage industry.

“As a proud New York resident, I have personally enjoyed the beauty of Central Park on a daily basis for many years, and these horses are an undeniable integral part of that experience.”

Other stars such as Pink and Chrissie Hynde are supporting PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) in their campaign to stop the industry which they say is cruel.

Further reading:

The Cruelty of Horse-Drawn Carriages

Crib biting (cribbing) is a vice where a horse sucks in air, usually when biting onto a hard surface such as a fence or stable door. They arch their necks then swallow the air, often making a gasping sound as they do it.

Crib biting horses can be grass or stable kept and the cribbing can be a result or stress, boredom or a nutritional deficiency. Chronic crib biters can abnormally wear their teeth, leading to digestive problems.

Can you Control Crib Biting?

The degree of crib biting varies from one horse to another therefore the following methods may help relieve symptoms in some horse but not others.

• Turn your horse out as much as possible.
• Add grills between stables to increase social contact.
• Provide a stable mirror specifically designed for horses.
• Make sure your horse has a companion. If it’s not possible to have another horse then consider a sheep or goat.
• Provide adequate roughage such as hay or haylage to occupy your horse.
• Add anti chew strips or grills to stable doors.
• Paint fences and gates with anti crib solutions.
• Ensure the horse has an adequate diet with correct minerals.
• Giving an antacid supplement can help some horses.
• Use an anti crib strap or collar.
• Providing a piece of hard rubber for the horse to chew on. This is sometimes more appropriate than using an anti crib collar.
• Surgery can be performed as a last option.

As with most horse ailments it is advisable to talk to your vet to get his expert advice on what the underlying cause of your horses crib biting maybe.