blind in one eye

[mightyhijames]

i'd like to hear opinions/experience with racing horses that are blind in one eye. we've been offered a very nicely bred yearling filly but she lost the sight in one eye due to a pasture accident.

thanks.

[Intrinsic Worth]

I worked with a foal at Pin Oak (I think her name was registered as Cotinga) who had her left eye kicked out by her dam when she was just a week old. She was rather hesitant to stand in a group of horses and I thought she would have a hard time on the track (especially without a left eye since she wouldn't be able to see the rail.) Turned out that I was right and she didn't like running with other horses on her left side. She is being offered for sale at Keeneland this Nov or Jan.

[louis finochio]

Is it the LE or the RE?

[mightyhijames]

duh, i don't know and, obviously, i should! i can find out but, in the meantime, can you give me scenarios for both? i'm interested in your thoughts.

[Intrinsic Worth]

Imagine riding a horse who couldn't see the rail next to it. I certainly wouldn't want to be on it. I know some horses have gone on to race with one eye, but the filly I mentioned grew up not knowing what it's like to see out of both eyes and she still balked when crowded on her left hand side.

[FOS]

hi Intrinsic Worth...hi mightyhijames...hi guys

Sight in one eye seems to sometimes be enough...at least to the extent that numerous racehorses have performed succesfully at the track, with sight in only one eye. Obviously each case/situation stands on its own merit.

In the case of The Pruner (by Herbager)...he was a VERY good racehorse (and if memory serves me he had only one eye). He made many many starts...and was a multiple stakes-winner. Ultimately he stood at stud.

It's been thought by some that having sight on the rail or hedge side (as they would race) was particularly important (for obvious reasons). If memory serves me, such a horse (that was blind on the rail/hedge side had he raced counterclockwise in North America) was the group winning racehorse (who went on to be a sire)...Arctic Tern (by Sea Bird FR). He was bred in the USA (by renowned Keswick Stables)...and sent to race in Europe (mostly France) clockwise. He not only had a successful racing career...but also had a degree of success at stud...he stood in the U.S.A. (for a while), and in Europe.

I've seen numerous thoroughbreds that had no vision in one eye or the other...and most (at this time I can't even think of one) went thru training just fine...and did not seem to be hampered by their lack of sight on one side or the other. I've seen horses that were blind in their left eye...that not only stood training but also were willing to perform to the best of their ability at the races, even though blind on the rail/hedge side. Some that I've seen were not even noticeably blind (to the extent that if they didn't cock or turn their head to see something...and/or the eye was cloudy) no one except those closest to him/her might have known.

I suggest that if you have such a thoroughbred racing prospect (that is without sight on one side or the other)...start it in the training process...and deal with it day by day. I expect that trust and confidence (as a result of quality handling, training and patience) will have a big impact on that equine's chances to make it as a racehorse. I also suspect that the younger the horse was when he/she lost sight in one eye...might have an affect on its chances to succeed.

Respectfully

[DanN]

For what its worth , My uncle had a filly with one eye that ran very well and turned out to be a good mare.

[louis finochio]

In my 35 years of walking the backstretch, I can remember seeing over 12 TB that have been competive in their races.

Its their determination, fighting spirit and heart that overcomes their loss of one eye.

[mightyhijames]

this is all very good information, thank you all for your response. i saw a related topic under 'stallions' concerning carson city offspring that have raced with partial sight and then responses about successful horses. very insightful (no pun intended), thanks again.

[louis finochio]

I saw another TB today that had no right eye in John Sadlers barn. I'll find out his name and post it.

[louis finochio]

Trainer John Sadler gave me the name of his TB with no sight in his right eye, his name is Royal Flush and he ran 2nd in his debut.

JS said it is better to have a TB with vision in his left eye as they can see the rail when they are running anti-clockwise, like the races are run in the US.

[mightyhijames]

i really appreciate the input. the filly in question lost sight in her left eye unfortunately. but we'll put her in training and if it doesn't work out, use her as a broodmare in a few years. she's a well bred filly by hap out of prized rebecca. with any luck, she'll be able to function and have a little bit of talent as well.

[Lord Treat]

Very interesting topic. I had a 3 week old colt kicked in the eye by a mare recently. He has some residual damage to the eye, and I was trying to get information on his chances of making it to the track.

I'm from Australia where they will not let you race unless there is at least some vision in both eyes (Vet certificate required).

He is quite well bred (by Dr Johnson - Woodman/Russian Ballet) and is a really nice horse.

Thanks for the general info.

[magic code]

Real Connection, anyone? She was fantastic.

There are a few high-profile horses currently running that certainly have compromised vision, though they have both eyes - Imperialism and Afleet Alex.

We have a weanling who had an eye infection at one month old. She has grown up and the eye is now sunken in (it wasn't when she was a baby) - see pictures of Imperialism and that's what she looks like. She was born placenta previa so we think that is the cause of it.

[Indychase]

Yes, I wanted to mention Real Connection. Also, Pollard's Vision was blind in one eye. Both, I think, had sight in their left eyes though.