This week, we are focusing on eye health in horses.

Eye conditions consistently rank among the most common and concerning issues reported by horse owners. With vision being such a crucial aspect of the well-being and safety of horses, owners must gain a holistic understanding of equine eye conditions and learn how to manage them responsibly and effectively.

Why Eye Issues Matter

Eye problems in horses are often a clue pointing to deeper health issues. Symptoms like weepy eyes, swelling, or more serious conditions like uveitis and conjunctivitis sometimes show up alongside other imbalances in the horse’s health. Holistically speaking, the eyes can give us clues about what is happening inside the body. So when a horse has an eye problem, it is often part of a bigger picture.

Looking Beyond the Eyes

Treating the eyes with drops or targeted supplements often fails because the root cause is unresolved. Look at the whole horse instead of isolating the eye as the only problem, as chronic eye issues can be a sign of inflammation elsewhere, and are often linked to conditions like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or a weak immune system. Addressing those imbalances can result in unexpected improvements in eye health.

The Limitations of a Symptom-Focused Approach

The eyes are generally the most visible part of a broader inflammatory picture. Holistic care means reducing inflammation and supporting overall health rather than treating isolated symptoms.

The Importance of Vision in Horses

Compromised eye health in a horse can increase its vulnerability within its environment and affect its ability to function within the herd. Horses have 350-degree vision, with only small blind spots directly in front and behind them. Their eyes are set in a position to protect them by detecting threats, making vision a key component of their survival. 

Prey vs Predator Vision

As prey animals, horses have eyes on the sides of their heads, while humans, as predators, have forward-facing eyes. That difference creates a natural tension in our relationship with horses. When we acknowledge that, we can modify our behavior to become less threatening and build trust.

Color and Light Sensitivity

Horses see blue and green more distinctly than red, and respond more to the vibrational energy of colors than to the specific shades. Their night vision is excellent, but they need more time to adjust between light and dark areas. So it is essential to be patient and mindful during those transitions.

Emotional and Environmental Triggers

Much like laminitic horses can experience flare-ups during periods of stress, horses with eye vulnerabilities may develop eye inflammation in response to vaccinations, dietary changes, environmental shifts, or emotional stressors. These episodes are not random. They reveal underlying weaknesses that require attention.

The Liver-Eye Connection

There is a link between liver health and eye conditions. Detoxification and liver support are essential when treating recurring eye issues. Improving liver and gut health can lead to clearer eyes, better digestion, fewer foot issues, and stronger immunity.

Individual Sensitivities and Triggers

Pay attention to what sets off flare-ups in your horse. It could be seasonal grass, certain types of hay, or even temperature changes. Those patterns can reveal underlying sensitivities and guide you toward more targeted support.

Consistency and Commitment

Managing chronic or recurring eye issues requires consistent care and a committed health program. Rather than reacting to the eye symptoms alone, proactive support of the overall health is the key to preventing flare-ups and supporting their recovery.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

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This week, we are following up on our last discussion about sourcing the right hay for your horse by focusing on the practice of soaking hay. 

Soaking hay is a common strategy for reducing sugar levels for sugar-sensitive horses. This practice is helpful for horses with insulin resistance, acute laminitis, or high-insulin PSSM. 

Join us to learn how to soak hay to improve your horse's health and ensure longevity while avoiding the associated risks.

When and Why to Soak Hay

Soaking hay can be helpful, but it should only be done when necessary, in cases of acute laminitis, severe insulin resistance, or PSSM, where high sugar levels in hay contribute to the problem. Soaking is not something you want to rely on long-term or use just in case. You must always consider whether it is doing more good than harm and use it as a short-term tool when you do not have a better option.

Keep It Temporary

If you need to soak hay, do it for a limited time, perhaps two weeks. If sugar is the issue, you will typically see changes in your horse within 24 to 48 hours. If nothing improves after soaking the hay for several weeks, the problem may not be sugar-related. If you continue to soak at that point, it could deplete essential nutrients.

Be Aware of Nutrient Loss

Remember that soaking does not only remove sugars. It also pulls out vital minerals and amino acids. Since hay is less nutritious than fresh forage, soaking can make it even more deficient. For horses with metabolic conditions, PPID, or PSSM, the loss of nutrition could cause a slow and steady decline in their overall health. 

Think Beyond Sugar

Sugar is only part of the story. Inflammation, poor hoof balance, and limited movement can also drive high insulin and hoof pain. If insulin remains elevated and symptoms persist, chronic inflammation could be the cause, not sugar. Always step back and assess the whole horse.

Use Soaking Strategically

Limiting your hay soaking to 15–20 minutes is usually enough to reduce sugar without removing too many essential nutrients. Soaking is ineffective for lowering protein and should not be used to manage dust- a quick spray with water works better. Avoid long-term soaking, as it can do more harm than good by further depleting an already nutrient-poor feed.

Have a Plan

If you are soaking hay, take the opportunity to put a longer-term plan in place to support the metabolic health of your horse. It might involve switching to hay with a lower sugar content, adding essential nutrients, reviewing your trim schedule, and encouraging more movement. The goal is to rebuild resilience rather than relying on an ongoing restriction.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.

Today, we tackle hay, an essential yet often overlooked component of an equine diet.

Hay provides most of the calories and nutrition horses need, especially in colder climates. However, it is not always the first place we look when issues arise. Since hay is dried grass with less nutritional value than natural forage, it is not a perfect food, yet it is what most horse owners must rely on. The quality of the hay, the treatments it has undergone, and how it affects your horse are critical factors to consider. That is why it is best to start with a hay analysis to ensure the foundation of their diet supports the health of your horse rather than adding to any hidden problems.

What I Focus On First

When analyzing hay, I always start with the macros- the protein, sugar, and fiber levels, as those are crucial for every health condition I have worked with. It is essential to monitor sugar and protein levels. High protein can be as problematic as high sugar. Perfect hay does not exist, so we must balance things wherever possible.

Sugar Sensitivity and Hay Analysis

A hay analysis is always essential for sugar-sensitive (prone to laminitis, high insulin, etc.) horses. Removing sugar from their diet is crucial for their recovery, as even on the best metabolic programs, high-sugar hay can completely derail their progress.

Fiber and Coarseness: Matching Hay to Your Horse

With coarser hay, horses need to eat more to get enough nutrition, which can be a struggle for some. The fiber in coarser hay is often higher than the recommended level, and although that is generally acceptable, it could impact hard keepers. Coarse hay is better suited for easy keepers, but be cautious if it causes digestive issues.

Focus on Your Most Unwell Horse

When you have a group with mixed needs, prioritize the horse that needs the most help. Pick your hay based on what that horse requires first, as the healthier horses usually find it easier to adapt. This approach will save you time and money and offer better horse health in the long run.

Glyphosate and Fertilizers

I always consider chemical sprays like glyphosate, as it is very toxic and damages the microbiome, which is crucial for immune and digestive health. Older horses and those with compromised livers often struggle with cumulative chemical exposure over their lives. Fertilizers can also trigger health issues like fecal water, especially in aging horses.

Balancing Risks and Benefits

Sometimes, you may have to choose between low-sugar hay treated with chemicals or untreated hay with higher sugar. You have to prioritize based on the condition of your horse. In many cases, low sugar must win if the horse is at serious metabolic risk.

Palatability

Palatability matters. Some horses refuse to eat coarse, low-sugar hay simply because it is not what they are used to. Others dislike the taste of certain grasses or chemical residues. You can try mixing different types of hay to help them adjust, but watch out for dust, especially if you have horses with respiratory problems.

Minerals

Although many nutritionists focus on balancing minerals to match hay, I do not worry too much about it. I prefer adjusting nutrition to the individual needs of each horse, using high-quality, bioavailable nutrients without any chemical additives.

Grass Types

Some horses have intolerances to specific grass types, and if nothing else explains their poor health, consider a grass type change. Common ones I see include Timothy, Teff, Orchard, and Brome. Canary Grass and Fescue are types I usually tend to avoid.

If it is Not Working, Change it

If your horse's health does not improve despite your best efforts, do not be afraid to try different hay. Sometimes, switching the hay can make all the difference, even when the numbers seem perfectly fine on paper.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.