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  Discussion on Barn, pasture, stall for blind horse
Author Message
Member:
Kami

Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 - 3:16 am:

I would appreciate any recommendations for blind horses. Especially way to help them navigate in pastures.

Can a blind horse sense electric fence before they touch it?

I currently use 24/7 turnout with pasture rotation. Average gates are 12' wide w/solar lights to aid a moon blind horse (no help to him). Pastures are 1-2 acres each and mostly clear (one has a single tree in it). Ideally he will buddy up with a sighted horse, but any other recommendations would be welcome. The run-in is actually a barn w/10' center isle and stalls, so I'm also not sure how well he'll navigate that since right now the horses get to pick their own stalls. The one thing I am doing is splitting the barn and putting him as one of a group of 3 horses in that end of the barn.

When he comes, he'll be introduced to everything slowly in steps. But I would like to put any navigation aids in place before he comes to that environment so the environment isn't changing on him.

Also, I'd love to find any materials related to training and housing a blind horse. (This horse is healthy, normal in all other ways, and has a great attitude.)

Thanks
Kami
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 - 9:05 am:

Run a search on blind Kami. Though my wife would argue with me on this I don't believe horses can detect a electric fence. It may be they can tell when the fence is on and I suspect this is because they either here the box clicking. Perhaps very small bells attached to the fence until he learns the lay out? I really think electric fence for a blind horse moving to a new location might be a problem.
DrO
Member:
Sully

Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 - 12:28 pm:

I personally have no experience with blind horses, but did see a show on Americas Horse that featured one. He had been a cutting horse and went blind due to moon blindness. Seems like they thought of putting him down, but the lady kept working with him and he learned cues from her on what to expect on the path as she lead him. They even ride him now and also use him to train newbies how to ride a cutting horse. Not sure how he would know where the cows are, but it must take a lot of trust on both sides to even ride him. Saw another show on animal planet about a mare who had a foal that was blind. As he grew up, she was his guide. They were the only 2 horses in this pasture. He seemed to lose her at times, so it might help to put a bell on the horse who is his buddy to make it easier for him to follow. I would also be worried that he could get kicked so easily and picked upon since he will not be able to read body language. Best of luck, and lets us know what you learn!
Member:
Sully

Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 - 12:41 pm:

Also forgot to mention that I believe John Lyons stallion Zip is blind, and he still uses him. You might want to contact him for more information.
Member:
Sandbox

Posted on Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 - 10:01 pm:

Kami - There's a web site devoted to blind horses and their owners: https://www.smartgroups.com/groups/BlindHorses

The members are very positive and helpful for people dealing with a blind horse. They may have additional help for you. Good Luck!
Member:
Cnichola

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 - 11:40 am:

I have an older POA mare that is developing moonblindness. I used electric tape to divide my pastures, and during the day she has no trouble locating and avoiding the fence and gates. At night she she doesn't seem able to detect the electric fence (even though I quit clipping her muzzle). I bring her in at night to a stall open to a 24' metial fenced run. She has the end stall so she gets a little light at night from the barn light.
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