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Equine Eye Injuries
There are many ways in which a horse can injure his eye or eyes.
Horses can always find a way and other horses can sometimes be the
culprits. One can never predict when a horse may become
injured but when it happens, quick action and treatment may save
your horses eyes.
Here are just a few ways in which a horse can become injured
around the eyes and face
A kick
or bite from another horse - Sharp
objects in or around a horses stall or pasture
Fighting with other horses that might cause trauma to an eye or
eyes
Accidental head bumping into other objects
- Splinters from wood or trees including dead tree limbs
Tack
or loose equipment that might be laying around the barn, stall or
pasture
Rubbing against objects such as stalls or fences
- Trailer injuries caused by a horse becoming excited or nervous
Foreign objects from flying debris such as leaf particles, dust or
dirt - Insect
stings - Human
inflicted trauma
There
are hundreds of ways a horse can manage an injury but once an injury
has been sustained, the first thing that is recommended is to assess
the situation. If there is bleeding and or visible cuts,
veterinary treatment is recommended. If it appears that
your horse has a foreign object lodged in the eye, you could try
gently rinsing to see if you can remove the object and determine if
there is any damage. If you find small particles or objects in
the eye you can try using a clean handkerchief corner to remove the
object. Sometimes clean cotton tipped applicators can
help. Eye washes can also be helpful to clean out any blood
from a torn eye lid or eye if you can manage to keep the horse calm
enough. Any injury to a horse can be very traumatic, always
use caution when approaching an injured horse.
If your
horse has sustained a traumatic injury, your veterinarian may
suggest treatment or if there is sutures, there may also be
medications and follow-up treatment that is required. If
you wish to help protect your horses eyes while receiving treatment
we recommend using a Guardian Mask. The Guardian Mask will
help keep dust, debris and insects out of the eye area so it may
help promote healing. It will also help keep the harmful
UV rays of the sun from causing additional pain to your horse.
The unique design of the mask has a raised set of "eyes" that are
made of sturdy heavy duty materials and keep the eye covers away
from the eyes. This helps prevent rubbing which could cause
further damage to your horses eye.
You may
also consider using Guardian Masks for prevention. The
Guardian Mask products are excellent in helping keep the eyes
protected not just against the harmful UV rays of the sun but also
excellent in protecting against harsh winds and the debris that
might follow.
Always
remember to seek the advice of your veterinarian in any case to help
determine what is best for your horse. A horses eyes are
key to his health and they are not only expressive but help you read
how your horse feels. All creatures have a natural ability to
read others by searching their eyes, it is true that the eyes bring
the world in, and it is also true that the inner creature is
revealed through their eyes. Protecting them is as important
as the horses overall health. |
