What should I do if my horse has a swollen eye after an injury?
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Overview
If your horse’s eye is swollen after an injury, treat it as something to take seriously and check straight away. It could be a simple bump, but swelling around the eye can also happen with a scratch, a foreign body, or a more significant eye problem, so it’s safest not to assume it will clear on its own.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the swelling started after a knock, rub, or turnout incident, or whether it seemed to appear for no clear reason.
2. Look closely for redness, heat, discharge, broken skin, scabs, or any visible scratch around the eye or eyelids.
3. See if your horse is keeping the eye partly shut, blinking more than usual, or seeming sensitive to light.
4. Notice whether the eye itself looks cloudy, watery, bloodshot, or different from the other eye.
5. Check for swelling elsewhere on the face, especially around the cheek, forehead, or muzzle, as this can help you judge how widespread the injury is.
6. Watch whether your horse is rubbing the face on the stable, fence, or leg, which can make swelling worse.
7. Keep an eye on appetite, behaviour, and whether your horse seems more dull or uncomfortable than usual.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a minor knock or blunt injury, which can leave the tissues around the eye puffy and sore for a short time. A small scratch, dust, or a foreign body can also irritate the eye and make it water and swell.
Sometimes the swelling comes from a bite, sting, or rubbed area rather than the eye itself. Less commonly, a deeper injury to the eye, eyelids, or tissues around it can be involved, and these may need prompt veterinary attention.
What To Do
Keep your horse calm and avoid anything that might make the swelling worse, such as rubbing or dusty bedding. If your horse will allow it, you can gently observe the eye in good light and keep the area clean and dry without poking or pressing on it.
Do not put anything into the eye unless a vet has told you to. Try to minimise stress, keep turnout sensible if your horse is likely to rub the eye, and monitor the swelling so you can tell whether it is improving, staying the same, or getting worse.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the eye looks painful, the swelling is increasing, there is cloudiness, blood, discharge, a visible wound, or your horse is keeping the eye closed. Eye injuries can worsen quickly, and it’s better to have them assessed early.
Products That May Help
If the skin around the eye has been knocked or lightly grazed, a basic horse care collection can be useful for your general first-aid routine and day-to-day handling.
Related Questions
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Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.