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Can You Ride a Horse With Moon Blindness?
oon blindness is an unfortunate condition that affectsup to 25%of horses worldwide. It can be
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hard to detect at first, but it is progressive so the earlier treatments start, the better. The
condition can result in a total loss of vision in the affected eye(s). For many, the question will
eventually come up - can you ride a horse with moon blindness?
he answer ultimately depends on the severity of the issue and how well your horse recovers.
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Every horse will handle it differently, but most can continue riding in some capacity. Even blind,
many horses are easily ridden with the right tools and training.
What is Moon Blindness?
he official name for moon blindness is Equine Recurrent Uveitis or ERU. It got the common
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name “moon blindness” generations ago when people mistakenly believed the disease was tied
to the phases of the moon.
his could be due to the condition causing light sensitivity - horses would be more comfortable
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outside when the sun was down. In any case, we now know that it has nothing to do with the
moon but the name has stuck.
oon blindness sounds scary but it’s actually one of the most common eye problems in horses,
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and subsequently the leading cause of blindness. It’s an auto-immune issue, meaning the
disease causes the horses’ immune system to attack the eye tissue.
s the name suggests, it’s a recurring issue which means even once treated, it may come back.
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That’s not to say it’s a hopeless diagnosis, though. With proper medication and management,
afflicted horses may still have some quality of life.
he condition remains a bit of a mystery and as of now, it’s believed that all horses are at risk.
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That said, it has been discovered that Appaloosas are abouteight timesmore likely to get ERU
- about 25% of diagnoses are Appaloosas. They’re also more likely to go blind as a result. This
suggests a possible genetic link, leaving Appaloosas more vulnerable, but more research must
be done here.
Spotting Moon Blindness
ecause it’s a progressive and recurring disease, early detection and treatment are important.
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Unfortunately, it can be hard to distinguish ERU from other types of uveitis or things like ulcers
or an abscess. For this reason, a diagnosis often only comes after there have been a few
episodes.
hile there is no definitively known cause or trigger for moon blindness, there are some signs
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and symptoms you can look out for. If you notice any of these happening, keep track of things
like time of day, frequency, severity, etc. The more information you can give your vet and other
professionals, the better.
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olding one or both eyes shut due to pain
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Squinting, especially when exposed to sunlight
Excessive tearing
Cloudly or blueish look in the cornea
The pupil is smaller than usual
The whites of the eye look bloodshot
hese are things that owners, riders, and other handlers can watch for and keep track of. If you
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suspect an issue, it’s best to call your veterinarian out right away. They’ll take a closer look at
the eye for signs of a uveitis issue.
They’ll look for smaller details, such as:
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he area around the iris may look rough and irregular
● The iris itself may be darker but with no scarring or damage
● Scar tissue may have developed on the iris from continued or recurring inflammation
he iris can be very telling and help with a diagnosis, but an untrained eye may not be able to
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spot the smaller and more subtle signs.
Treating a Horse With Moon Blindness
here are a few different ways to treat and manage a horse with moon blindness. The main goal
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of any treatment is to reduce and ideally eliminate the inflammation in the eye. Preserving vision
is ideal, but minimizing severe pain is the most important thing.
series of medications may be prescribed to treat and minimize an active episode. This can
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include topical corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and mydriatics to reduce inflammation and also prevent
or minimize damage.
hile these help a horse get over a flare-up, they aren’t as effective in preventing further
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occurrences. Long-term management of the disease may require surgical intervention. There
are a few options here:
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omething called a cyclosporine implant. This is a device that gives regular therapeutic
doses of cyclosporine A for about three years. This has been proven effective in
controlling inflammation and minimizing episodes in some horses.
● A
core vitrectomy. This procedure removes the core of the vitreous. This removes any
debris that’s trapped in the fluids and replaces it with saline. This can improve lost vision,
minimize episodes, and even delay the progression of the disease.
● Eye removal. This is often a scary one for horse owners, but it may very well be the best
option for your horse. Especially if only one eye is affected, your horse can fully recover.
One-eye’d horses are more than capable of performing even at high levels, and they’ll
do so pain-free. You also won’t have to worry about any recurrence.
hese options are usually for more severe cases and the decision should not be taken lightly.
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Always consult with your vet, they’ll be able to make the best recommendation.
hen treating a horse with moon blindness, it’s also important to watch for complications.
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Excessive inflammation in the eye can also cause cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage, and
even shrinkage of the eye.
Riding a Horse With Moon Blindness
egardless of how you choose to approach the issue, the reality is that moon blindness
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changes your horses’ life. This doesn’t automatically mean their career must end, but you’ll both
have to adjust!
If you’ve chosen to manage and minimize episodes or proceed with eye removal, you have a
vision-impaired horse either way. Even if you’re able to preserve their vision and delay the
disease, it will often progress.
hether your horse has lost minimal vision or gone completely blind, they’ll need time to accept
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their new reality. The best thing you can do is give it to them. Horses are resilient and tend to
adapt well to curve balls, especially in a safe environment.
Tips for riding a vision-impaired horse:
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irst, assess their level of comfort and confidence.
● If possible, let their first rides be with someone with whom they have a strong level of
trust.
● Use your voice often while handling and getting them ready, so they always know where
you are.
● Give them confidence with very clear aids, and focus on one thing at a time.
● Get them used to verbal cues as well as hand and leg.
ll in all, riding a blind or vision-impaired horse isn’t drastically different than a sighted one. The
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most important thing is that you remain calm and confident. Some retraining may be necessary
for vocal cues and additional aids. If you’re unsure exactly how to proceed, a professional
trainer may be able to help.
How to Care for a Blind Horse
If you’re dealing with a blind or mostly blind horse, you’ll have to adjust their lifestyle, as well.
Blind horses are perfectly capable of living long and happy lives, but they’ll often require your
help:
● P
lace things like feed buckets and water troughs against a wall if possible - inside and
outside.
● Post signage around the barn and their stall warning people of a blind horse and to
please avoid sudden movements or noises. This helps create a calmer environment for
them.
● Blind horses often fall to the bottom of a herd’s pecking order. If possible, turn them out
in a flat, even field with a single pasture mate. A calm, quiet horse is suitable, as is a
goat, donkey, or even a cow.
● Put a bell on the halter or collar of their companion. This helps the horse keep track of
them and not be startled.
● Never trim sensory hairs like their whiskers.
● Keep them on a strict routine.
● If they’re still being ridden, avoid very noisy and windy environments if possible.
● Place soft padding on corners, edges, and any other sharp or blunt surface they may be
around.
ith a few adjustments and the right care, even completely blind horses can be happy, healthy,
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and safe. If you’re in the early stages of ERU, try not to get too discouraged. It’s a fairly common
condition and even when the inevitable happens, your horse can still thrive.
Final Thoughts
aring for a horse with moon blindness can be scary and overwhelming. It’s sad to think about
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your beloved friend and partner losing their site, but it’s not the end. Proper care and treatment
can offer your horse a great life. Some can continue working, some may have to retire. Early
detection is crucial, so the best thing you can do is pay close attention to your horse and never
hesitate to call the vet if something is wrong!
