Blind: Dealing with the Dark

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the care of blind horses, the most common being that a sightless horse cannot enjoy a quality life. While not all horses adjust to blindness as well as Houdini, those with a calm temperament
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When her gelding, Houdini, first went blind, Jean Wilson was distraught–everyone she talked to insisted that he should either be euthanatized or confined to a stall for safety. Fortunately, Wilson did not listen, and two years later, the pair was chosen to represent their drill team during the opening flag presentation at the Midwest Horse Fair. The event was performed under a spotlight, a distraction that is often a problem for sighted horses. Houdini, however, was unfazed.

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the care of blind horses, the most common being that a sightless horse cannot enjoy a quality life. While not all horses adjust to blindness as well as Houdini, those with a calm temperament and a dedicated owner can go on to live comfortable and productive lives.

Preventing Blindness

According to Dennis Brooks, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVO, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the most common reasons that horses go blind are trauma to the eye and equine recurrent uveitis (moon blindness), which is periodic inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye. While these are the most frequent causes, corneal disease, retinal degeneration, and infection can also damage a horse’s vision

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Written by:

Erika Street is a writer and filmmaker with a BA in animal physiology.

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