This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Eye Diseases » Night Blindness in Horses »
  Discussion on Night Blindness? or confused
Author Message
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 - 7:58 am:

Dr. O. Last night my husband pulled in after dark, when he came in he said one of the horses was running nuts out in the pasture. I shined the spot light out and Hank was at the bottom of the pasture (which is admittedly a maze of electric fencing) The 2 oldies were across the fence up the hill grazing. I decided to wait a few minutes and see if he would figure it out. He didn't! I went out (forgot a flashlight) gave a holler to come here, he whinned at me and came to the top of the pasture and stopped at the elec fence that was there. During the day he knows he has to go around and through the gate, but he wouldn't move.I stepped over the elec fence and started walking towards the gate (blind leading the blind) I would stop once in awhile to get my bearings(no flashlight) and Hank was right on my shoulder following me, when I stopped he stopped. We finally reached the gate and he followed me through, i really expected him to take off and find the other horses. He followed me up to the paddock and sighed. I left him there figuring he'd go out with the other horses, which he would have to go down the hill and out another gate.

I kept looking at him through the night and he just stood in the paddock, while the others were out grazing. He'd whinny to them once in awhile and they did ans. he does have one eye that is "clicky" and runny a lot.

Do horses get confused and loose their way at night sometimes? It was weird. Thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Nov 28, 2008 - 9:20 am:

I think we all get confused or frightened and loose our way sometime. How is the horse today?
DrO
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Nov 28, 2008 - 3:58 pm:

Dr.O. he has been fine since the incident, I don't see them at night tho because they are out in the pasture. I just wonder if he follows the others around and wasn't paying attention when they left.

He followed me very closely until I got him to the paddock. He did seem to know where the elec fence was because he stopped at it, but animals get to know their boundries pretty well with out sight.

Seems there's nothing that can be done for night blindness anyway. I just felt bad for him running around confused, and I suppose he may have been just confused. Thanks
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC