|
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
 
Location: Millington, TN | My horse just recently went blind. Well I am worried about her. My mom found her in the swimming pool Friday. We got her out and she is fine. My horses stay at my mom and dad's house. Both of them are not horse people. My blind horse runs into the electric fence. So my only options at this point are to find her a home that can care for her or put her down. I don't want to put her down just because she is blind but my parents are pushing me to do something. Yesterday was a much better day for my horse but she still run into the fence twice that I know of. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or a place I can give her too? I don’t want to give up on her. I am thinking of making a pool noodle fence so she will hit the pool noodle instead of the electric fence but I don't think my parents will go for this.....
|
|
| |
|
  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
   
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | If she's really sane and quiet on the ground a therapy place might be an option as a home. 4H and pony club too. I used to own a completely blind mare and the biggest thing they need is a safe controlled environment that doesn't change. You can do bells on the fence but they have to learn that they're there. Not all horses can handle being blind, and most can't handle electric fencing because they panic when they bump into the charge. They'll always be bumping into it and getting shocked. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | She is too hot for therapy. I wish I could find someone that could just take her that had alot of pasture. I dont have much. I have been giving her ace the past few days to calm her down but I also don't want her to suffer......god this is hard. I have a had her for 11 years and she is only 18 :( |
|
| |
|
Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Is she on feed or pasture/hay only? You might be able to cut her feed out and just feed grass hay. That would calm her some. There's also grief counseling places that use horses for that and they don't have to be as steady as regular therapy. Check around with 4H and riding clubs too. Something else to consider, you could get some round pen panels and make her a paddock area for a while until,she gets used to not having sight. Maybe a buddy like a goat or another horse that she gets along with that can lead her around. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | I know people with blind horses that have put pea gravel down within 3-4 feet of the fence, so that the horse learned once it stepped on gravel, the fence was going to be there, too. They also had a pasture buddy with a bell on them for the blind horse to follow.
It's not the same, but I have a cat that was born with no eyes. It's insane how well he gets around. I know it's different because he was born that way and your horse is having to adapt, but I wouldn't put her down. Someone will be able to take care of her, even if you cant :) |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | For now I would not be letting her out in a pasture, she needs to be in a smaller place like a smaller corral/pen with safe fencing for her and get her a buddy that she can pal around with, being out in a pasture is not a safe place her at this time, she needs to have a safe place for now. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | My mom just checked on her and she was grazing. She does get feed and hay (hay is 24/7). I could cut her feed back to see if that helps. My mom said she was sticking with my other gleding, which is her foal. So that is good. I think it is going to be an adjustment for us all. We are going to try the bell on the fence thing. My other gelding is has a cowbell on but he is a turd and picks on her. They may have to be separated. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 57
| Like The pea gravel I read years ago about someone with a blind horse and they put telephone poles around the pasture about 3-5 feet from the fence. When the horse clipped the poles she stop and turn around. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | I really like the idea poles or pea gravel! I am getting a friend to let me borrow some panels until she get more confident. I think I am getting some where with this! :)
Edited by barrelracincrazy 2016-10-17 3:44 PM
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | Does anyone have a cheaper suggestion for a "barrier"? I have a huge vet bill to pay so my budget is a shot right now. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 407
| I had a blind horse for about 6 years. I put a fly mask on them all the time that way they wouldn't get stuff in their eyes and it would block the electric shock on the fence. She also had a buddy horse that would lead her around. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | Alisha Viviano has a blind bbroodmare she may be able to help you out |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | You've gotten great advice from everyone. Definitely make her space smaller until she gets used to not being able to see. And if she and her son get along, tie a bell in his tail so she knows where he is and will follow him. After she seems adjusted some, expand her area. My 37 year old can see very little and we walked the whole pasture with him even tho he bad been in it for years before losing most of his sight. He's in about 25 or so acres with 4 other horses and it's all electric. Don't think for a second they can't sense that electricity because they can. He gets close to the fence at the barn and will back off a few feet and blow at it. It took time but he does great. I will say that he knows which horse (my bf's 16.3 Paint) to avoid. (If the Paint gets really tacky, Dan will go to my 16.3 sorrel and he puts the Paint in his place---it's like he's Dan's protector almost. . . )
Please give it time and don't give up on her yet. They're so adaptable and I bet time will help her ease into her new world. Prayers |
|
| |
|
 If it Ain't a Paint it Ain't!
Posts: 8519
Location: Mansfield, Tx | Maybe get her a goat instead of the gelding that is peaking on her |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | Little update.....her pen is now smaller. She is getting more and more confident everyday. Her son is really helping her. I even saw him nudging her toward the barn. I love that boy! Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. It really means a lot. I think she is going to be just fine. I owe her the world. She is the mare in my avatar. She has taught me so much.
We also do PHT therapy at night and that seems to help ALOT. Now if I can just save up for the blanket. I have the poll pack and fly mask but the fly mask freaks her out. I guess it makes it even harder for her to see.
Here are her papers just for fun. I like all the old school lines. Her son is by Ima Firefighter.
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/sea+splashers+mouse
Edited by barrelracincrazy 2016-10-20 2:04 PM
|
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | barrelracincrazy - 2016-10-20 2:03 PM
Little update.....her pen is now smaller. She is getting more and more confident everyday. Her son is really helping her. I even saw him nudging her toward the barn. I love that boy! Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. It really means a lot. I think she is going to be just fine. I owe her the world. She is the mare in my avatar. She has taught me so much.
We also do PHT therapy at night and that seems to help ALOT. Now if I can just save up for the blanket. I have the poll pack and fly mask but the fly mask freaks her out. I guess it makes it even harder for her to see.
Here are her papers just for fun. I like all the old school lines. Her son is by Ima Firefighter.
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/sea+splashers+mouse
Awesome update ,, Yea I would leave the fly mask off, I would think it would be pretty hard for her to see threw it with her fading eye sight..  |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Southtxponygirl - 2016-10-20 2:30 PM barrelracincrazy - 2016-10-20 2:03 PM Little update.....her pen is now smaller. She is getting more and more confident everyday. Her son is really helping her. I even saw him nudging her toward the barn. I love that boy! Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. It really means a lot. I think she is going to be just fine. I owe her the world. She is the mare in my avatar. She has taught me so much.
We also do PHT therapy at night and that seems to help ALOT. Now if I can just save up for the blanket. I have the poll pack and fly mask but the fly mask freaks her out. I guess it makes it even harder for her to see.
Here are her papers just for fun. I like all the old school lines. Her son is by Ima Firefighter.
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/sea+splashers+mouse
Awesome update ,, Yea I would leave the fly mask off, I would think it would be pretty hard for her to see threw it with her fading eye sight..
And I wanted to add, get a bell for the gelding and but it on him so the mare can get used to hearing it and know to stay with it. Get a breakaway halter for him, so he wont get into trouble.. I love that you are getting her all set for life, Sending you a big hug for being a good mom to her  |
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Southtxponygirl - 2016-10-20 2:52 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2016-10-20 2:30 PM barrelracincrazy - 2016-10-20 2:03 PM Little update.....her pen is now smaller. She is getting more and more confident everyday. Her son is really helping her. I even saw him nudging her toward the barn. I love that boy! Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. It really means a lot. I think she is going to be just fine. I owe her the world. She is the mare in my avatar. She has taught me so much.
We also do PHT therapy at night and that seems to help ALOT. Now if I can just save up for the blanket. I have the poll pack and fly mask but the fly mask freaks her out. I guess it makes it even harder for her to see.
Here are her papers just for fun. I like all the old school lines. Her son is by Ima Firefighter.
http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/sea+splashers+mouse
Awesome update ,, Yea I would leave the fly mask off, I would think it would be pretty hard for her to see threw it with her fading eye sight..
I agree with everything STPG said. You're a wonderful momma for working on her world to make it easier for her to live in. So may people would say "whatever" and be done with her. They give their hearts and soul to us----they deserve nothing less in return. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | Thank yall! Yall made me cry! I owe so much to her. I cant just give up on her. She took me to youth world mutiple times and she took me to AAY short go every year we went. She was a fire breathing dragon but she loved her job so much. She was a great barrel horse and a great momma. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | An update over the weekend. I started doing a lot of ground work her and working on voice ques. She caught on very quickly. She has figured out the fence line too! I walk her everyday around the fence line. So we have been doing alot of bonding. We are still having issues with going in and out of the stall but I am amazed with her adjustment. I am just praying for no more accidents. We already had an amazing bond before, but I know it has grown since this whole ordeal. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | love the updates! so glad everything is working out <3 |
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | barrelracincrazy - 2016-10-24 2:17 PM
An update over the weekend. I started doing a lot of ground work her and working on voice ques. She caught on very quickly. She has figured out the fence line too! I walk her everyday around the fence line. So we have been doing alot of bonding. We are still having issues with going in and out of the stall but I am amazed with her adjustment. I am just praying for no more accidents. We already had an amazing bond before, but I know it has grown since this whole ordeal.
This is one of those posts that makes my heart very happy |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Chandler's Mom - 2016-10-24 10:08 PM barrelracincrazy - 2016-10-24 2:17 PM An update over the weekend. I started doing a lot of ground work her and working on voice ques. She caught on very quickly. She has figured out the fence line too! I walk her everyday around the fence line. So we have been doing alot of bonding. We are still having issues with going in and out of the stall but I am amazed with her adjustment. I am just praying for no more accidents. We already had an amazing bond before, but I know it has grown since this whole ordeal. This is one of those posts that makes my heart very happy
Yep, I agree, I love these post that makes your heart happy |
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Have been thinking about your mare for the past few days and wondered how she was doing. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 291
| A friend of mine had a blind ex-racehorse that she used to keep at my house. We bred it to my stallion and every other year each of us would get a foal. I kept her in a smaller area 100X200 and every year I would attach a bell to the colt using a small loose piece of elastic tied around the colts neck. She could hear the bell and know where the colt was and it gave her peace of mind. I had peace of mind knowing the elastic would break if the colt got it hooked on something. Weaning was a little hectic with her, but she handled everything well. She learned her paddock area and could even find her lean to without a problem. Granted when she was excited, she could put a few dents in the barn. Eventually she learned to buck or play in one place when she felt frisky. For the most part it went very well and she led a very productive and healthy life.
My word of caution is to be very careful when you handle a blind horse, sudden or different noises can make them turn their heads quickly and be very dangerous for the handler. The blind mare (I affectionately named "HELEN" after Helen Keller) turned quickly when I was cleaning her pen one night and knocked me out. When I awoke I realized that had I laid there for long that she could have trampled me while looking for her colt.
Good luck!!!!!!!! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | She is doing GREAT!!!! I don't ace her anymore. She still has to be lead in and out of the barn which is no big deal. Accept she doesn't want to be caught! So that makes me think she can see a little bit. She is always ready to go out in the mornings. She still runs into things every once in a while but it is very rare. She has absolutely amazed me on how well she gets around. She even trots in the pasture and loves to roll.
Heck maybe one day can ride her. That may not happen since I have not rode her in over a year. I know she misses running. She loves to run.
The dominant gelding is not picking on her anymore and my other gelding is her seeing eye horse. I have to get that on video. If she gets "stuck" he will nudge her and help her.
I am so glad she is loving life and happy :)
Thank you all to encouraging me. Yall will never know how much that helped me and my girl.  |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | barrelracincrazy - 2016-11-16 9:52 AM She is doing GREAT!!!! I don't ace her anymore. She still has to be lead in and out of the barn which is no big deal. Accept she doesn't want to be caught! So that makes me think she can see a little bit. She is always ready to go out in the mornings. She still runs into things every once in a while but it is very rare. She has absolutely amazed me on how well she gets around. She even trots in the pasture and loves to roll. Heck maybe one day can ride her. That may not happen since I have not rode her in over a year. I know she misses running. She loves to run. The dominant gelding is not picking on her anymore and my other gelding is her seeing eye horse. I have to get that on video. If she gets "stuck" he will nudge her and help her. I am so glad she is loving life and happy : ) Thank you all to encouraging me. Yall will never know how much that helped me and my girl.
Awesome, love reading Happy posts,  |
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | barrelracincrazy - 2016-11-16 9:52 AM
She is doing GREAT!!!! I don't ace her anymore. She still has to be lead in and out of the barn which is no big deal. Accept she doesn't want to be caught! So that makes me think she can see a little bit. She is always ready to go out in the mornings. She still runs into things every once in a while but it is very rare. She has absolutely amazed me on how well she gets around. She even trots in the pasture and loves to roll.
Heck maybe one day can ride her. That may not happen since I have not rode her in over a year. I know she misses running. She loves to run.
The dominant gelding is not picking on her anymore and my other gelding is her seeing eye horse. I have to get that on video. If she gets "stuck" he will nudge her and help her.
I am so glad she is loving life and happy : )
Thank you all to encouraging me. Yall will never know how much that helped me and my girl.
Love this update!!! Gave me happy "turkey bumps" |
|
| |
|
 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | My friend has a mare that is completely blind in her left eye and very limited vision in her right..she barrel races her and shes a 1d mare.....actually didnt even know the mare had a problem til we were at an ed wright clinic and he pointed it out to her. .so then she got the vets to check her out....so nothing is impossible :)......m |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 547
Location: Millington, TN | I hope to ride her again. She is a pretty hot headed horse, so I am not looking to barrel race her anymore as that could be a bad if she did see a gate or something. Maybe she can be a trail horse :)
I am tempted to get on her this weekend, but I dont know....I think I will give it more time. I have not rode her in over a year so....yeah.
I was wondering if riding her around the pasture would give her more confidence.
Edited by barrelracincrazy 2016-11-17 3:33 PM
|
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | barrelracincrazy - 2016-11-17 3:31 PM
I hope to ride her again. She is a pretty hot headed horse, so I am not looking to barrel race her anymore as that could be a bad if she did see a gate or something. Maybe she can be a trail horse :)
I am tempted to get on her this weekend, but I dont know....I think I will give it more time. I have not rode her in over a year so....yeah.
I was wondering if riding her around the pasture would give her more confidence.
I personally think that she's "learned" the pasture some by now and riding in there might be a good idea. |
|
| |
blind horse - long post but I need help