Should you clean your horse's eyes?

Good feet, good eyes! Two indicators of good health. Just as you regularly inspect your horse's feet, you should also systematically check its eyes. This allows you to react quickly and save precious time if you detect any abnormalities.

Why should I observe my horse's eyes?

Sun, wind, dust, allergens, and insect bites are all harmful to horses' eyes and can cause irritation and tearing, or even discharge in the event of infection (particularly conjunctivitis). Moisture around the eyes can sometimes lead to hair loss. If the horse feels itchy, it will try to rub its eye, which may cause a corneal ulcer. To avoid all these problems, simply cleaning around the eyes once a week may be enough. The frequency should be adjusted on a case-by-case basis depending on the age of your horse and any medical conditions it may have. Be careful not to overdo it, as this would be counterproductive. You can also equip your horse with a protective mask if its eyes are particularly sensitive.

How do I clean my horse's eyes?

Are you familiar with medical training? Cleaning your horse's eyes regularly in a cheerful and relaxed manner helps to "de-dramatize" this procedure. Choose a quiet place that your horse is familiar with, and ask for help the first few times if necessary. Always respect your horse's pace and don't forget to reward it as soon as it cooperates. These sessions allow you to spot any unusual changes and strengthen your horse's trust in you. If you ever have to treat a painful eye, you will be more confident in your actions and both you and your horse will be less stressed.

Two types of eye cleaning

The necessary equipment:

• sterile compresses or washable wipes (no cotton),
• an ophthalmic solution approved by your veterinarian (saline solution, cornflower water, isotonic lotion, etc.),
• gloves (or your thoroughly washed hands),
• a clean tray to arrange your equipment.

1️⃣ Generally, cleaning around the eye is sufficient. Soak a compress/wipe with your eye care product and gently wipe around the eye. Always work from the inside (inner corner of the eye) to the outside (towards the ear). The aim is to avoid transferring germs to the conjunctival sac and blocking the lacrimal sac. If there is dirt stuck to your horse's skin, hold the damp compress on it until it softens and comes off by itself.

2️⃣ Occasionally (if you notice dirt in the eyelids, for example) or at the request of your veterinarian, you can rinse the eye itself. Gently hold the eyelids apart with your fingers and pour a few drops of your ophthalmic solution into the eye. Anticipate any sudden movements by the horse toward the bottle.

➡️ In both cases, use clean compresses to dry the eye area by dabbing gently.

Please note:

• It is crucial to change the compress for each eye to avoid transferring germs from one to the other.
• Check the storage instructions for your eye drops (usually a very short shelf life to prevent bacterial growth).

Take this opportunity to clean your horse's nostrils, which are often very dusty!

When to contact your equine veterinarian

Closed eye, swelling, spots or cloudiness in the eye, red eyelid, appearance of a pimple, discharge, overreaction during eye cleaning...: don't take any unnecessary risks, consult a veterinarian to avoid any irreversible damage to the eyes and vision.