The upshot of my email to the vet is, unsurprisingly, a swift diagnosis that Vin is a photic headshaker; he has a sensitivity to light. This diagnosis has been backed up by a second opinion from my former vet in Somerset.
When this condition is evident Vin shouldn’t be ridden. There are eye-drops which may possibly help manage the condition (and I’ve been sent some) and there is a nose-net which may conceivably help (I’ve bought one), but the bottom line is that because of the onset of this condition Vin’s competitive days are pretty much over.
My poor boy.
Except he’s not a poor boy, of course. He’ll still get ridden when the conditions allow and he’ll still get carrots galore shoved down his neck at every available opportunity.
He’s simply beginning premature competitive retirement; he still has a future as a part-time fun horse in front of him. And a fun horse he is.
However the goal of Eventing looks to have sidestepped me once again.
Except.
There’s a horse for sale I know about…
You would keep Vin, though wouldn’t you?
Bad luck, Brennig.
It was a strange thing that our similarly-affected mare never shook her head when grazing or being walked from field to field. Only when she was being ridden.
Hope Vin will enjoy a long and happy retirement.
Hi Brennig,
Sorry to hear about Vin 🙁 what will you do now? Am sure he is very happy eating carrots and not being ridden when it’s sunny 🙂
xx
Poor Vin 🙁 I remember a similar experience I had with my horse. I’d qualified for Windsor Horse Trials then he developed a cough – it looked like COPD so I was advised not to compete him for fear it would make it worse. Bah. At least it doesn’t stop the fun riding, anyway.