Update on my deaf horse/need recommendations
You might remember my 10 year old Paint gelding Bo and a few of the difficulties I've had with him, mainly him spooking when other horses suddenly come up on him; I've had him for almost a year and a half now. I finally figured out he was deaf after about five months. And now yesterday, after yet another vet exam, I found out he's also very visually impaired. =(
Due to the light color of his eyes (they're both blue), his pupils have these...growths (called corpora nigra) over them to protect the retinas from getting too much light. These growths are totally normal for horses, but the ones Bo has are apparently enormous and preventing WAY too much light from entering his pupils, hence impairing his vision. His vision is especially bad in his left eye, which also has his old torn eyelid injury partially in the way of his eye. His reaction to things coming at both eyes, but the left especially, are way off; you can pretty much poke him in the eye before he knows something is there if you move slowly and don't create a breeze or touch an eyelash. The vet thinks he basically just sees contrast. No wonder he frightens so easily at sudden movements! Also, he has an easier time outdoors (where he gets more light) than indoor arenas. To be honest, given this information I'm really shocked he isn't a million times worse about spooking than he is; it's almost impossible to tell there's anything wrong with him and that he's not just another normal horse.
I'm devastated by this, but I just don't feel safe riding a deaf AND partly blind horse. One or the other I could deal with, but together, and with my not-all-that-great-riding skills anyway, it's just asking for trouble. I'm surprised I didn't fall off of him a lot more than the three or four times I did. And it's not like he's unrideable; he's great, sound, goes English or Western, very willing, loves trails, isn't afraid of anything: cars, motorcycles, deer, turkeys, etc., he takes it all in stride. His only issue is he startles when another horse appears suddenly to him, and he kind of jigs around and panics; it's something I can't stay with very well, but I'm sure tons of other riders out there have seats like glue and could handle it no problem. I would dearly love to just keep him as a pet, but I also want a horse I can have fun riding, and I can't afford both for the time being. But Bo is my baby and I can't let anything questionable happen to him, so I'd like your help in finding a permanent pasture pet home for him. He's more like a big dog than a horse, wants to be friends with everyone and every horse he meets. He'd be best off in a pasture with some other horses the way he was before I got him, because he follows their lead and gets his cues about what he should be doing from them.
I'm in the Bay Area of California, and I'd be willing to take him pretty much wherever within a days' trailer drive. I'd be willing to pay for a pasture retirement for him if it's something not too high, like around $100-150/month. He's an easy keeper, barefoot, very healthy and doesn't need any sort of special care, he just needs some other horses to keep him company. Please ask around and let me know of any place that would be able to give him a good home; I'd really appreciate any leads or information I can get. Thank you for your help!!
Due to the light color of his eyes (they're both blue), his pupils have these...growths (called corpora nigra) over them to protect the retinas from getting too much light. These growths are totally normal for horses, but the ones Bo has are apparently enormous and preventing WAY too much light from entering his pupils, hence impairing his vision. His vision is especially bad in his left eye, which also has his old torn eyelid injury partially in the way of his eye. His reaction to things coming at both eyes, but the left especially, are way off; you can pretty much poke him in the eye before he knows something is there if you move slowly and don't create a breeze or touch an eyelash. The vet thinks he basically just sees contrast. No wonder he frightens so easily at sudden movements! Also, he has an easier time outdoors (where he gets more light) than indoor arenas. To be honest, given this information I'm really shocked he isn't a million times worse about spooking than he is; it's almost impossible to tell there's anything wrong with him and that he's not just another normal horse.
I'm devastated by this, but I just don't feel safe riding a deaf AND partly blind horse. One or the other I could deal with, but together, and with my not-all-that-great-riding skills anyway, it's just asking for trouble. I'm surprised I didn't fall off of him a lot more than the three or four times I did. And it's not like he's unrideable; he's great, sound, goes English or Western, very willing, loves trails, isn't afraid of anything: cars, motorcycles, deer, turkeys, etc., he takes it all in stride. His only issue is he startles when another horse appears suddenly to him, and he kind of jigs around and panics; it's something I can't stay with very well, but I'm sure tons of other riders out there have seats like glue and could handle it no problem. I would dearly love to just keep him as a pet, but I also want a horse I can have fun riding, and I can't afford both for the time being. But Bo is my baby and I can't let anything questionable happen to him, so I'd like your help in finding a permanent pasture pet home for him. He's more like a big dog than a horse, wants to be friends with everyone and every horse he meets. He'd be best off in a pasture with some other horses the way he was before I got him, because he follows their lead and gets his cues about what he should be doing from them.
I'm in the Bay Area of California, and I'd be willing to take him pretty much wherever within a days' trailer drive. I'd be willing to pay for a pasture retirement for him if it's something not too high, like around $100-150/month. He's an easy keeper, barefoot, very healthy and doesn't need any sort of special care, he just needs some other horses to keep him company. Please ask around and let me know of any place that would be able to give him a good home; I'd really appreciate any leads or information I can get. Thank you for your help!!