Mare with Watery Eye

PaladinCentaur · 10-31-2009, 02:36 PM

I have been dealing with a watery eye on one of my mares for about a week now. There is no indication of any pain or injury to the eye. She does act like it is a little sensitive to light but other than that it is just watery. Not like excessive watery either just a little teary.

I cleaned it out with saline solution, but I have not noticed any difference.

Any suggestions on what to do? My vet supply sells an antibiotic eye creme should I try that?

Please don't just say get the vet out that is not an option. I realize that eye problems are serious and could lead to blindness, but my parents are the check book holders and they say no.

rescueme · 10-31-2009, 02:51 PM

I would not put an antbiotic ointment in my horses's eye without the vet's recommendation. Would your parents let you pay them back? I realize it's hard when you're not the one holding the checkbook, but surely they would rather pay for a simple exam and some antiobiotics than wait until there is a more serious issue and have to spend more money. I hope that they understand that the cheapest part about owning a horse is when you buy them. Then it seems like it's always something! Another thought is , since it's been so warm down south, maybe try a fly mask , she may be irritated from the flies. Good luck.

hawk · 10-31-2009, 02:53 PM

nvm...wish u luck on finding a cure for the watery eyes, a flymask will help to keep debris and flies from irritating her eyes.

PaladinCentaur · 10-31-2009, 03:04 PM

I am a very BROKE full-time COLLEGE student. So I'm 20. Yes I still live with my parents they bought the horses for me. So technically they aren't even my horses. Their horses, their property I just love and take care of them.

I do not think the eye is injured so I don't see the need to call the vet. She is not having any sight issues its just slightly watery. I was only wanting a suggestion on what might have been causing it.

If it does not clear up soon I will call the vet, but I would like to hold that as a last resort.

Thanks for suggesting the fly mask. I'll see if I can get one to fit her big belgian butt. I haven't been using them because I was worried she might get it snagged on something in the pasture, but I'll just keep an eye on her.

green.willow · 10-31-2009, 08:39 PM

Started in one eye and then the other and then worse and worse. It was a combination of allergies (the vet said that due to all our dry weather, it was one of the worst horse allergy summers ever) and then the flies being attracted to the moisture just made things worse.

A fly mask made things much better. It took only two days with night weather in the forties to clear it up completely.

That said, you don't want a blind horse, so be cautious.

Horse poor · 10-31-2009, 08:45 PM

Saw a horse with a watery eye that would not clear up. It turned out to be a blocked duct that runs from the eye into the nasal passage. The vet had to flush it out to clear it up. Definitely not something the lay person could take care of.

Horselady44 · 10-31-2009, 08:46 PM

It could have a scratch they are sometimes hard to see. My mare just went through a scratched eye...it took weeks for it to heal...its just now getting back to normal. I had her on bute for pain/swelling and a ointment for 3/4 weeks twice a day of course I took her to the vet. I am broke as well...but your better off taking them to a vet than waiting and have it get worse. Do you have pictures of her eye?
A fly mask is a good idea, also put duck tape or something over the part where her eye is that way it keeps the sun out as well as the dirt

Beings you said shes sensitve to light(my mare was as well which is why I think it may have a hairline scratch) Just a idea

I agree...dont start putting anything in it until you talk to a vet. How long has it been watering?

Larwoodgal · 11-21-2009, 01:18 PM

PC, how is your horse's eye, now that it's colder?

rivherrat · 11-21-2009, 08:14 PM

I keep a fly mask on mine all the time and not to often i have to go out and try to find it in the pasture. He pulls it off or get it caught on some thing. There pretty easy to get pulled off. His is in the pasture now. I cant find it. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to find. It is purple. Guess i need a homing devise on it.

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10-31-2009, 02:36 PM
PaladinCentaur Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rayville, LA Posts: 13	Mare with Watery Eye I have been dealing with a watery eye on one of my mares for about a week now. There is no indication of any pain or injury to the eye. She does act like it is a little sensitive to light but other than that it is just watery. Not like excessive watery either just a little teary. I cleaned it out with saline solution, but I have not noticed any difference. Any suggestions on what to do? My vet supply sells an antibiotic eye creme should I try that? Please don't just say get the vet out that is not an option. I realize that eye problems are serious and could lead to blindness, but my parents are the check book holders and they say no. __________________ I'm *one horse* away from being called, *The Crazy Horse Lady.*

10-31-2009, 02:51 PM
rescueme Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: My dream home Posts: 113	I would not put an antbiotic ointment in my horses's eye without the vet's recommendation. Would your parents let you pay them back? I realize it's hard when you're not the one holding the checkbook, but surely they would rather pay for a simple exam and some antiobiotics than wait until there is a more serious issue and have to spend more money. I hope that they understand that the cheapest part about owning a horse is when you buy them. Then it seems like it's always something! Another thought is , since it's been so warm down south, maybe try a fly mask , she may be irritated from the flies. Good luck. __________________ "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

10-31-2009, 02:53 PM
hawk Yearling Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 582	nvm...wish u luck on finding a cure for the watery eyes, a flymask will help to keep debris and flies from irritating her eyes. __________________ They can turn on a dime and toss you back nine cents change, the American Quarter Horse. Last edited by hawk : 10-31-2009 at 02:56 PM.

10-31-2009, 03:04 PM
PaladinCentaur Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rayville, LA Posts: 13	Allow me to clarify I am a very BROKE full-time COLLEGE student. So I'm 20. Yes I still live with my parents they bought the horses for me. So technically they aren't even my horses. Their horses, their property I just love and take care of them. I do not think the eye is injured so I don't see the need to call the vet. She is not having any sight issues its just slightly watery. I was only wanting a suggestion on what might have been causing it. If it does not clear up soon I will call the vet, but I would like to hold that as a last resort. Thanks for suggesting the fly mask. I'll see if I can get one to fit her big belgian butt. I haven't been using them because I was worried she might get it snagged on something in the pasture, but I'll just keep an eye on her. __________________ I'm *one horse* away from being called, *The Crazy Horse Lady.*

10-31-2009, 08:39 PM
green.willow Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: nowhere Posts: 108	Had a similar challenge in August Started in one eye and then the other and then worse and worse. It was a combination of allergies (the vet said that due to all our dry weather, it was one of the worst horse allergy summers ever) and then the flies being attracted to the moisture just made things worse. A fly mask made things much better. It took only two days with night weather in the forties to clear it up completely. That said, you don't want a blind horse, so be cautious. Last edited by green.willow : 10-31-2009 at 08:40 PM. Reason: spelling

10-31-2009, 08:45 PM
Horse poor Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,779	Saw a horse with a watery eye that would not clear up. It turned out to be a blocked duct that runs from the eye into the nasal passage. The vet had to flush it out to clear it up. Definitely not something the lay person could take care of. __________________ Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead tell the storm how big your God is.

10-31-2009, 08:46 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,437	It could have a scratch they are sometimes hard to see. My mare just went through a scratched eye...it took weeks for it to heal...its just now getting back to normal. I had her on bute for pain/swelling and a ointment for 3/4 weeks twice a day of course I took her to the vet. I am broke as well...but your better off taking them to a vet than waiting and have it get worse. Do you have pictures of her eye? A fly mask is a good idea, also put duck tape or something over the part where her eye is that way it keeps the sun out as well as the dirt Beings you said shes sensitve to light(my mare was as well which is why I think it may have a hairline scratch) Just a idea I agree...dont start putting anything in it until you talk to a vet. How long has it been watering? __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

11-21-2009, 01:18 PM
Larwoodgal Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tweed, Ontario Posts: 77	PC, how is your horse's eye, now that it's colder?

11-21-2009, 08:14 PM
rivherrat Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 256	I keep a fly mask on mine all the time and not to often i have to go out and try to find it in the pasture. He pulls it off or get it caught on some thing. There pretty easy to get pulled off. His is in the pasture now. I cant find it. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to find. It is purple. Guess i need a homing devise on it.