CONSULTANTS
Have a question about your horse’s health, care or training? Our experts offer solutions for a range of equine-management problems. Write to EQUUS Consultants, P.O. Box 7510, Falls Church, Virginia 22040; email: EQLetters@aimmedia.com. Send photos when helpful.
MANAGEMENT
A common eye problem
Q: My mare, now almost 20, gets conjunctivitis at least once each summer. It seems to occur when the weather is particularly hot and dry. When it happens, her eye swells shut within hours. My veterinarian has assured me that my mare does not have uveitis and he gave me an ointment that clears up the problem in a few days. Still, it’s unpleasant for her, and it can interrupt my riding plans. Is there a reason my mare might be more susceptible to this than the other three horses in her pasture (who don’t seem to have this problem)? Are there steps I can take to help prevent this?
Stacy Brennan Carlsbad, New Mexico
A: Conjunctivitis in horses is relatively uncommon compared to how frequently the condition is observed in dogs and people. Often referred to as “pinkeye,” conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the tissue
