The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-16
How Horses Eyes Are Injured.

It has been observed that of all do
nestle animals the horse is the most
afflicted with diseases of the eye. Some
OF these ailments are hereditary and
from unknown causes, others-and
these are of painful frequency-are not
inherited, and their origin may be
readily traced. Of this latter class Of
causes may be mcntioned: insufficient
or bad arrangement of light in stables;
blinkers; high racks for feeding; am
monia fumes in stalls, and the whip!
Although che eye of the horse is we'll
adapted for seeing at night, yet he is
not q nocturnal animal, therefore the
stable should have daylight freely ad-
imposes Oh the horse sudden changing
from twilight to broad sunlight, which
cannot fail to weaken the sight. If the
windows are arranged on one side or
the other of q stall, the horses head
will be directed mostly to the side from
which the light comes; one eye will be
more in the shade than the other, con-
sequently both eyes will be strained
from being exposed to unequal light.
If the window is directly in front of the
stall, glare of light is directed toward
the eyes with a binding effect, which
is very injurious. Probably the best
arrangement for lighting stables is by
means of a sky-light or windows placed
near the ceiling.
Much has been said against blinkers,
yet their use continues to considerable
extent. If the eyes Of the horse, like
those OF man, were directed forward.
blinkers might prove uncomfortable but
not injurious. The range of vision in
the horse is much greater than in man;
by limiting this range of vision and al
lowing it forward direction only
which is not according to nature--the
muscles of the eyes become strained
and their strength impaired. Is it not
reasonable to suppose that the timid,
nervous horse, that starts at every un-
usual sight or sound, would be
inspired with more confidence if
allowed to see all there was to be seen
than if straining the eyes painfully to
see objects terrible to him Just back of
the blinkers. The position a horse
head has to assume when feeding from
a high rack is the one most favorable
for chaff or other hurtful matter from
the hay to fall into the eyes. The most
serious injury commonly arising from
this cause is from the boards of grain.
The sharp little hooks or prickles on
these attach themselves to the eye in
such a way that the water from the
tear-gland can not wash out the boards;
Inflammation follows, and even the
most judicious treatment cannot always
save the eye.
Probably every one is familiar with
the effects of a sniff from grandma
bottle of hartshorn or smelling salts
which. is only ammonia under other
names and can imagine how unendur-
able a continued application of the
fumes would be. OF course the am
monia fumes arising in even very bad
ly kept stable would not he so concen-
trated as those from the salts, yet they
are of sufficient strength to seriously
injure the sensitive and delicately or
gained eye of the horse. Well-con-
structed floors, good management and
cleanliness, are perfect remedies for
this enemy. OF all the causes of blind
ness in our noble. docile, useful friends,
none prick us so sharply with our I'M
worthiness to possess such animals as
when it is caused by the use of the
whip. No excuse can be made for such
accidents, whether done in wanton care
iessness or by cruel intent. Y. Trib-
3k7le.