If you work around horses long enough, you’ll learn how to handle all manner of scrapes and injuries. But have you ever had to deal with an eye injury before? Eye injuries can be some of the most serious in horses, and require immediate treatment. Knowing how to properly handle eye injuries may mean the difference between whether or not your horse recovers successfully.

Stay Calm

Eye injuries in horses are startling. While your first reaction may be to panic, remember that your horse's health will depend on your ability to stay calm and act with a clear head. It may be a good idea to print out a copy of first aid instructions for eye injuries (such as this blog) and keep it in your equine first aid kit in case you ever have to deal with an eye injury in your horse.

Act Quickly

Some eye injuries can be deceiving and not look particularly threatening at all. Corneal ulcers are a common eye injury and need to be addressed immediately. Foggy, filmy eyes; squinting; eye discharge; and holding the eye shut are all indications that your horse needs veterinary attention. Don’t wait to call your vet- eye injuries can quickly worsen, risking your horse’s sight.

What to Treat

Almost any eye injury will require veterinary attention. Most of the time it is best to leave the injury untouched. If there are irritants in your horse’s eye, like bits of shavings or dirt, you can flush the eye with a saline solution to help make your horse more comfortable while waiting for the vet.

If there is a foreign object that is puncturing your horse’s eye, do not try to remove it. Halter your horse and stand with him until the vet arrives to keep him from rubbing his head against anything and further damaging the eye.

If your horse has scraped or cut the area around his eye and it is bleeding, use a sterile gauze pad and hold steady pressure against the wound until it stops bleeding.

Until the Vet Arrives

While you're waiting for the vet, bring your horse into his stall to keep him out of the sunlight. Turn off any bright lights in your barn and encourage the horse to stand quietly. You might put a fly mask on your horse to help protect the eye. Stay with him if you suspect he will try to rub his eye. Do not give your horse any medications or put any ointments in his eye unless the vet has instructed you to do so.

We hope that you'll never have to deal with an eye injury in your horse, but it's best to be prepared just in case.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/cogdog/8336756624
Original Source: How to Handle Eye Injuries