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Timbercroft
Gold Member
 Wales
936 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 8:19:30 PM
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Well today has been a bad day for my lovely broodmare Assah.
Assah is blind in one eye and has been for 3 years or so, we brought her knowing she was blind in one eye and she had adapted well to this. Her previous owner had given us all the info and we knew it would take time for her to trust us but she now does wholeheartedly...
So about a week ago i noticed she was starting to feel her way with her good eye side, which was not like her so i booked the vet to come out and see her today to have a look at her good eye... the very sad news is she is going blind too in that eye, she has a detached retina and her sight is almost gone. I am totally gutted for her. She will not be able to have a opp on it as she has "no good eye" to fall back on and she would find the whole thing of leaving our yard too much of a traumer and she is a "hot" mare that really does not like the "smell" of vets!
She is in foal and is due May, she has had two foals whilst being blind in one eye and she was a fantastic mother.
I would love any info from anyone that has or knows of blind horses and mares foaling whilst blind.
My vet has said after this foal is weaned i should think of my options, i will be doing everything i can for my beautiful girl and have aways said she will be with me the whole of her life... if she can be happy and blind that is what i will strive for ... i know a lot of people think blind horses should be PTS but I'm not ready to except that unless Assah shows she is unable to cope. Ofcourse Assah will never be put in foal again.
Any info would be great, I'm feeling very low at the mo and want to do all i can to make Assah's life as easy and happy as it can be.
Sorry for the long post.
Linda
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www.lma-arabians.co.uk |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 8:41:46 PM
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Oh Lynda - what sad news 
Mine is long reply, sorry folks
We were quite relieved (having viewed this mare) that she had come to you and could have a settled life to fully adjust to her blindess - sounds as if she has been doing really well too....
We have a mare virtually blind in one eye (offside) due to cataract. The vision deteriorated from age of 4 onwards really but she is a very happy, healthy broodmare - FAB with her foals and almost TOP of the herd pecking order.... She still gets the best hay piles, seems to know when its another mare's foal bumping into her rather than another mare (who she would wave a leg at). She whizzes about like a 2yr old - her newborns have to learn to keep up!
her only 'oopsey' was galloping right over the top of me while doing the exploratory lap of a totally new field at full speed... best bit was after she galloped across me, the blooming foal did the same!
I think all you can do is manage her environment for as little change / distraction as possible. When foal is born (depending on her vision at the time) you have real risk of her stepping on it... is it fair to keep her and baby aways from other mares n foals....? Gosh - hard thinking for you... don't envy it. Could make foal wear a bell?? Remove foal and hand rear / find a foster mare?
Being a reactive mare her personality will change when she feels it's the end of the road... should you pre-empt that point for her sake?
Feeling for Assah, and you all
L x |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
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Timbercroft
Gold Member
Wales
936 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 9:11:59 PM
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Thank you Laura,
I'm in pieces at the moment and finding all a bit much... i just love this little mare, i love her zest for life her fiery side and her very loving way (when no one is looking!)
I have so many things to think of and have never been so unsure about which way to go for the best?
The bell idea is very good as she always likes me talking to her and it would be good for her to know the foal is about, i am worried about the foal being run over too, she is such a loving mum and I no she will go out of her mind if the foal was taken from her, she was doing so well with the one eye ... but i have noticed she is finding it all a bit harder and just want to make it all right for her.
I'm just open to as much info as people can give.
I will be giving her - her own paddock and will get it all fenced with rail and post and she is very good friends with our sec b ... so this will be her friend from now and hopefully she will feel safe in her own space.
Linda x
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Timbercroft
Gold Member
Wales
936 Posts |
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bexr
Gold Member
England
818 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 10:10:42 PM
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Oh linda sorry to hear about your girl.
Sending you big HUGS and you know where I am if you need to talk.
x |
Bex |
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carrie b
Junior Member
England
45 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jan 2009 : 11:27:26 PM
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Linda,
Just so, so sorry to hear about Assah.She is such a lovely mare with so much 'look at me' presence. I don't think I would worry about her impending foaling as long as you're around to watch for problems. She is an experienced dam and will be well aware of her foal. I know nothing about visual problems in horses, so can't offer anything other than prayers and good wishes and the hope that maybe someone somewhere might have some ideas for relieving the problem.
With much love from her former partner Ewolution and their gorgeous 2yr old colt Aled Incla, who will hopefully be taking her name with glory into the showing circuit this year.
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s.jade
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2401 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 08:20:31 AM
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Oh I'm sorry Linda 
She sounds like a real tough cookie though, keep fighting.
My gelding was beaten in the face before he came to me, resulting in a detached retina - he was partly blind in the eye, and the sight has gradually gone. He then developed ulcers, but because the tissue was dead, we couldn;t locate them - he came within 24 hours of having to be PTS, and has cost me a fortune, but he is now on the road to recovery - and the event teams believe it or not!
He is also partially blind in his second eye, but has adapted so well, we just have to be very careful when approaching from his fully blind side, and talk to him a lot more than you would another horse (no problem for me as I never shut up  !)
I can't offer much advise for your lovely girl, but just thought my boy's success coping might give you some hope for her future  Fingers crossed for her.
xx |
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ashabarab
Gold Member
England
1378 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 12:53:24 PM
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l have come across several blind horses and they seem to be to adjust very well
my advice to you would be get her settled in her own paddock that will be hers from now on while she still has some sight left so that she can learn every nook and cranny so that when the foal comes she is secure in her own place
l think the bell idea is great..and l too would not take her foal from her unless she really could not cope
l would also let her guide you in to what she wants...and l would not put her down unless they were no other alternatives
best of luck
ash |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 1:24:35 PM
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hiya linda,
hugs, i'm so sorry, poor assah. some really good advice, none to offer of mine except hugs.
i am confident that assah will be just fine in your capable hands, and i'm sure the foal will arrive and all will be well, she'll get it sussed for sure with you and your lovely familyxx |
pagey |
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Alaska
Bronze Member
England
81 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 2:22:19 PM
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How very sad for you and your mare. I too think the bell idea is fantastic, and agree with you that unless she seems unable to cope you should keep things as 'normal' as possible. You may be suprised at how well she copes with the foal.
Best of luck, let us know how she gets on.
Becky xx |
Becky
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zoew37
Gold Member
Scotland
759 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 2:41:58 PM
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I have a young colt who due to an accident lost the sight in one eye, on my quest to find out information about how they coped etc i came across this amazing horse, def worth a read and maybe contacting them for advice. I hope there is a positive furture for you mare, they are amazing creatures and its amazing how they adapt.
http://www.valianttrust.org/quest.html |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
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Timbercroft
Gold Member
Wales
936 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 5:41:49 PM
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Thank you for all your kind words and advice...much apreshiated.
After a very long night of reading and research, i feel much better about things and feel we will be able to give Assah the love and care she will need.
We will start this week on getting all the things she is going to need. The bell has all ready been offered by a good friend!
Zoew37 - I did find this last night and its just lovely! I now Assah is never going to be a ridden mare but as long as shes a happy mare then I'm happy.
carrie b - Thank you for that, big hugs back to the boys with you! I remember you liking her (mind you i cant see how anyone wouldn't! ) I'm so pleased her first son is with you ...I'm hoping you are right when it comes to foaling, she really is a super mum, we will just have to take one day at a time.
Thank You Sam... Its so hard if money could bring her sight back then i would find it but it cant... like you say its just total care and a loving safe home she needs and we are going to try our very best to fill that bill!
I will keep you posted on how things are going and any more info, advice greatly apreshiated - I want to know as much as i possible can!
Linda x
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jan 2009 : 7:14:56 PM
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Linda i'm so sorry. Your love for this little mare shone through when we talked before, i know how much you think of her and how much this must worry you.
Although i have no specific horsey advice to offer, in practice i have seen many dogs and cats go blind and deaf over the years. They are unbelievable and with consideration and consistency on the part of their carers, do very well and lead happy full lives. Animals don't have the same psychological hurdles to climb over, and just get on with it. It's us humans who worry and this holds us back.
The only other thing i would add, is that to find Assah a pair bond to help her get around may work. There are the obvious concerns about what would happen if anything happened to that friend i suppose. But if she had someone close to her all the time, stabled next to her and turned out at the same time it may make her feel more comfortable. It's just finding that special one.
Loads of luck and good vibes to you all. She's in the best place she could be
Ros x
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 07:30:23 AM
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Hope you're feeling a bit better about things.
Big hugs for you all
Ros |
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Timbercroft
Gold Member
Wales
936 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 08:56:02 AM
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Oh thank you Ros for your kind words
I'm feeling much stronger and clearer about things, It was such a shock when my vet told me and then followed it up with PTS after the foal has been weaned ... I am used to controlling my feelings-working for the rspca for almost 4 years and having to PTS injured and suffering animals but i just broke down with the thought of (as i call her) my daring Assah being put to sleep, i know if the time is right but i feel in my hart its not right for Assah.  My vet has never seen my cry!
But im happy now in my mind that im going to do everything i can to make Assah have a good as life as she can. We are going to find the foaling quite hard and it would have been better if she was not in foal but she is, so we will just have to cope as will Assah.
Im going to look for a friend that is around the same age but like you say its so hard if something is to happen to that friend so we will have to really think about it and who it will be!
I will keep you posted how things go and when foaly arrives...
Linda x |
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horsey
Gold Member
England
725 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 1:51:38 PM
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few years ago, I went to large stud and there is both eyes blind broodmare have foals. She have no problems with her foals. I was surprised about it.
And also in USA, one endurance have one eye blind and still doing in endurance very well. I cant remmy what is the name. |
Tara
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~kyne
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 6:35:28 PM
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Glad you're feeling a little more positive about things.
Keep us updated. All the best
Ros xxx |
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Ziadomira
Platinum Member
England
1635 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2009 : 9:01:33 PM
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There was an article in the Horse and Hound a few months ago about a TB broodmare that had been blind from a young age. She had many foals one of them becoming a top racehorse. They used to put a bell on the foal so she would know where it was. The H & H may be able to find the article if you contact them.
We had a mare who hit her head and she lost the sight in one eye. She grew to rely on the person leading her to make sure that side was safe. It is amazing how they cope. We made sure that there were no hard corners in her stable in case she bumped into them espcially around the door, a bit of padding can help.
Best wishes for your mare, don't give up on her she won't give up on you.
Ziadomira |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jan 2009 : 09:44:59 AM
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Horses with the sight in one eye are fine. I have a rescue mare who was borm blind in one eye and she is fine. I also have a stallion who injured an eye and has very limited sight in that eye and you would never know either of them have a problem. As I always talk to my horses they are fine. You do need to always talk to her so she knows where you are and you don't startle her.
You are lucky in that you have time to get your mare used to her safe surroundings before she goes completely blind. Don't put her and the foal in a small stable as she will need plenty of room for getting up and down away from the foal. A large open fronted shelter in the field with gates across the front that you can close when necessary to keep the mare and foal out of the rain would be ideal. I am sure all will be well and you will have a magical experience and a gorgeous foal.
The article on Valiant is amazing. I am sure Assah will be fine with you.
If you do get a companion make sure he/she is totally safe and won't bully Assah. She may be just as happy with a companion in the field next to her but if you intend to keep the foal she will have her companion!
Good luck.
Barbara |
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artro
Bronze Member
Wales
75 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2009 : 11:21:43 PM
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| im so sorry lind for your bad news on assah, she is a lovely mare, ive seen you with her and she trusts you so much ,i really think she will learn to cope and adjust . i also know you and paula will make everything possible to make her feel safe and happy . The bell sounds a really good idea, i also know you will have bells on everything if you think it will help her !! she couldnt be in better hands ,hugs and good luck , you know where i am , rona xx |
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Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2009 : 08:20:27 AM
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| I am so sorry to read this about your mare but Fabbi, my stallions mother went blind and she lived with the blindness very well, they made her a coral and when her foal was born they attached a little bell to the foal so she knew where her foal was, I read about it in the SO magazine, as far as I can tell you need to get her in a field that is hers not very big so she knows it very well and feels safe and keep everything where it will permanantly stay, so it can work for some horses, I know its silly for me to tell you not to worry because I would be worried sick, but there are things you can try at least if you have tried and it doesn't work you know that you tried everything you could before taking THE decision, keep me posted I will try to find the article about fabbis mum x |
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