Sorry to spill my guts, but this is one of the toughest things I've dealt with in years. This horse has been my best friend for 6 years now and now he's blind. The vet said he's moon blind and gave me some meds to open his pupil, but he said even if he gets any of his sight back his riding days are over. Why is it that stuff like this happens to the best horses? And why so quickly? He was fine one day and the next he's blind. He is an unbelievable animal though he trusts me and my wife so much he let us catch him and put him in a stall and then did not want us to leave him so I set with him till midnight last night. Once again sorry to use this forum to vent, but its weighing pretty heavy on me.

My heart goes out to you!! Was he diagnosed with Equine Recurrent Uveitis-ERU? This time last year my mare came up with her eye swollen, etc... My local vet said that he thought it was the ERU, but I took her to Auburn and had them look at her. They never came to that diagnosis, but really everything that they tested her for came back OK. I did alot of research on the internet and ordered her a mask to wear because it was evident that the glare of the sun bothered her. It was only one of her eyes. She has been on cyclosporin for about 8 months now and it seems to keep her eye the same. In other words, no better really, but no worse. ERU usually happens gradually, but sometimes the first warning signs are not noticed. Is he blind in both eyes?? I think that it usually happens one eye at a time. My mare can still see, but I do think that her vision is not as good in the affected eye. Whatever the case, I am so sorry that this has happened!

sorry to hear of your Horse,s blindness .  I do not believe his riding days  are over tho.  there are many blind horses that   still are on the trail.    as they go blind they MAY  be spooky as they are just seeing shadow,s.   since your Horse knows you so well and trust you so much ,  once totally blind he will even be more intuned  to you and your cue,s .   He will look for your guide-ness  even more.  you never know..I would,nt write him off just yet .  

hang  in there

     About 5 years ago I "inherited" a blind appy mare.  She was well broke and you could ride her.  I only rode her in the arena but her previous owner would take her out on trails.  She was used as a therapy horse for a while too.  She is now in retirement with her original owner.  I looked her up and offered her to her when we moved to NM.  I didn't know what kind of facility I was going to and didn't want to take a chance with her. 

     Pipe fences and corral panels worked best for her. 

I think Body language would be even more important.  they Horse would most definitley "feel"  your Body language  more so now.  voice commands would be just as important as  your body energy.   The horse  can,t see your Body Motions anymore  but as long as your   body is relaxed and gives off confidense  , your Horse will trust you .

good luck

I hated to read about your horse.  I can't imagine how hard it must be.  You and he can get through this...keep your chin UP!  I too have heard of people continuing to ride horses after the horse loses sight.  In fact, there was a true story Hallmark movie about a lady competing and winning on her blind appaloosa.  Anything is possible!!

My appy gelding went blind 3 years ago.  I noticed problems in May, and by August he was totally blind. 

Everyone told me that you can trail ride a blind horse, not this one.  Our last ride (unknowingly) was pure misery.  He spooked at everything, pranced, bucked, and was totally freaked out by the ride.  He had been a safe, sweet, gentle horse before that.  That night in camp he panicked when he couldn't find his best mare, she was one horse away from him.  It was then I decided to retire him.  I had people tell me that I was wrong to retire him, I should ride him.  Hello, I think I know my horse better than anyone.  I didn't feel safe, and he was very scared to leave home.  He retired to the pasture with my mini donkey, and one month later we found that the leptospirosis that took his eyesight also took his mind, thus the crazy personality. 

I opted to euth him in September, his quality of life was gone.  Not just the blindness, it was the other stuff. 

I feel for ya, but you will know what's best for him.   ( to ride or not)

http://www.blindhorses.org/ This site may have some useful information.

My mare is blind in one eye and appears to have adjusted well.  One thing I do with her is talk to her all the time when I am on her blind side so she knows I am there.  I NEVER approach her on her blind side without her knowing I am there first - if I did she would kick me into next month!!!  lol  You will know within a month if he has adjusted.  Best of luck.