Why is there blood around my horse's eye?
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Overview
Blood around a horse’s eye usually means there’s been some kind of irritation, scratch or small injury near the eyelids, lashes or surrounding skin. It can look dramatic, but the cause is often something simple like a rub, a minor knock, a fly bite or a scratch from hay, branches or a stable surface.
Because the eye is a delicate area, it’s worth checking it carefully and watching for any change in the eye itself, not just the blood on the skin around it.
Things To Check
1. Check whether the blood seems to be on the skin around the eye, on the eyelid, from the nostril, or actually coming from the eye itself.
2. Look for swelling, heat, redness, a scab, a cut, or any sign the area has been rubbed.
3. See if the horse is squinting, blinking more than usual, keeping the eye closed, or showing sensitivity to light.
4. Notice whether there’s discharge, cloudiness, tearing, or a change in the colour or clarity of the eye.
5. Check for signs of irritation elsewhere, such as head rubbing, stamping, shaking the head, or rubbing on fencing or stable walls.
6. Think about whether the blood appeared after turnout, grooming, exercise, transport, or being in a dusty or windy environment.
7. Look around the area for likely causes such as twigs, sharp hay, protruding fixtures, flies or something the horse may have brushed against.
Common Causes
The most common reason is a small scratch or knock to the skin or eyelid around the eye. These can bleed a little and then settle fairly quickly.
Rubbing is another frequent cause. A horse that’s bothered by flies, dust, bedding or mild irritation may rub the area enough to break the skin.
A fly bite or minor sting near the eye can also leave a small amount of blood and local swelling.
Less commonly, the eye itself may be involved, such as with a more significant scratch or a foreign body. If the eye looks sore, cloudy or the horse is keeping it shut, that needs more care.
Rarely, blood around the eye can be linked to a deeper injury to the head or eye area, especially if there’s swelling, ongoing bleeding or the horse seems unwell.
What To Do
Stay calm and avoid touching or pressing on the eye. If the horse allows it, look closely without forcing the eyelids open.
If the blood is only on the skin and the horse seems comfortable, you can gently monitor it for change. Keep the area as clean and dry as practical, and reduce the chances of further rubbing or knocks.
Check the stable, turnout and grooming setup for anything that may have caused the injury, such as sharp edges, loose fixtures, debris or flies around the face.
Watch for any change in comfort, discharge, swelling or vision-related behaviour over the next few hours. If anything worsens, it’s sensible to get professional advice.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet promptly if the eye is painful, the horse is squinting, the eye looks cloudy, there’s swelling around the eye, bleeding continues, or you’re not sure whether the eye itself has been injured.
You should also get help quickly if the horse seems dull, the injury was caused by a kick or other trauma, or the eye looks different in any way that’s worrying you.
Products That May Help
If there’s been a minor knock or scratch nearby, a basic horse care routine can help you keep the area clean and watch for changes without overhandling the eye.
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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.