How to Protect Horses From Eye Injuries

Horses are like children; somehow, some way, they'll find a way to injure themselves. Lacerations, abrasions and corneal ulcers are among the most common types of eye injuries, says Thomas R. Lenz, D.M.V., in the "AQHA Journal." Eye injuries cause extreme pain, swelling and tears around the eye, which may result in long-term scarring. Taking a few precautionary measures helps protect against eye injuries.

Things You'll Need

  • Pliers
  • Nails
  • Mats
  • Batting
  • Duct tape
  • Mask
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove as many sharp items as possible from the horse's environment. This might mean removing nails sticking out of wood, bucket hooks and metal hay racks. Replace items with plastic versions. This helps protect against lacerations and abrasions.

    • 2

      Add mats or other padding to walls and corners of the stall and trailer. Depending on the material you choose, either nail or glue it in place. Wrap batting around objects where the mat material can't fit and secure with duct tape or vet wrap. This keeps a horse from rubbing its face against the wood and getting a splinter or abrasion in its eye.

    • 3

      Introduce the horse to new friends over a fence to smooth the transition between future pasture mates. Horse herds have a hierarchy; when horses meet for the first time, they fight for dominance. Many injuries can result from the flying hooves and teeth, including abrasions and lacerations to the eye or cornea.

    • 4

      Purchase a mask with eye protection--the eyes portion bubbles out from the mask--from an online or local tack shop, if the horse is prone to bumping into things. It may be difficult to find one with the bubbled eyes. Most stores carry a screen-like mask that prevents dirt and sawdust from irritating and/or damaging the eye.