What should I check if my horse's eye is swollen shut? | arlo.® Atlas
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Overview
If your horse's eye is swollen shut, check the area carefully but calmly. It could be something simple like irritation from dust, a fly bite or a minor knock, but eye swelling can also happen with scratches, foreign bodies or infection, so it’s worth taking it seriously.
Don’t force the eyelids open if your horse is sore or resisting. A swollen eye often needs a vet if it doesn’t improve quickly, but there are a few sensible things you can look for first.
Things To Check
1. See whether the swelling started suddenly or built up over a few hours, and whether it’s only on one side.
2. Look for discharge, tearing, redness, cloudiness, a visible cut, or any sign of something stuck on the eye or lashes.
3. Check if your horse is blinking more than usual, keeping the eye closed, rubbing at the face, or seems sensitive to light.
4. Gently feel the surrounding skin, not the eyeball itself, for heat, pain, puffy tissue or a lump that could suggest a bite or knock.
5. Check the stable, field and turnout area for dust, hay chaff, low branches, nettles, insects or anything your horse may have brushed against.
6. Note whether there are other signs such as fever, dullness, reduced appetite, or swelling elsewhere on the head.
Common Causes
The most common causes are irritation from dust, bedding or hay, a fly or insect bite, or a minor bump to the face.
Other possibilities include a scratch on the eye, a small foreign body, blocked tear drainage, or inflammation from an infection.
Less commonly, a swollen shut eye can be linked to more significant eye damage, so it’s best not to assume it’s just a bit of puffiness if your horse is uncomfortable.
What To Do
Keep your horse quiet and out of dusty or windy conditions while you monitor the swelling.
If you can do so safely, check the eye from a sensible distance in good light without touching the eyeball. Avoid using any human eye drops or trying to remove anything embedded in the eye.
Reduce rubbing risks by keeping the area calm and checking for obvious triggers in the stable or field. If the swelling is mild and your horse is otherwise settled, keep a close eye on whether it improves, worsens or stays the same over the next few hours.
If the eye remains shut, looks cloudy, has discharge, or your horse seems painful, arrange a vet visit promptly.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the eye is swollen shut, especially if your horse is painful, squinting, rubbing, has discharge, cloudiness, a visible wound, or the swelling is getting worse. Eye problems can change quickly, and it’s not something to leave and see for long.
Products That May Help
For day-to-day horse care and keeping the area around the stable and turnout cleaner, this collection may be useful as part of your routine.
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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.