Visually Impaired Horse Has New Home with Old Mate
This appaloosa is now under the care of Horses of Tir Na Nog and was diagnosed with moon blindness
Two new equines have arrived at Horses of Tir Na Nog. One is an eighteen year-old gelding that has been diagnosed with moon blindness. Moon blindness is an eye disease that is also known as equine recurrent uveitis. The causes of this disease are not completely understood. As an appaloosa, this gelding had a greater chance of being diagnosed with this disease than other breeds. The disease has lead to a significant loss of vision in both his eyes. The name “moon blindness” is thought to refer to the fact that the disease waxes and wanes like the moon and leaves the eyes with a cloudy appearance that resembles the moon.
“This blind appaloosa is fortunate,” explained Amy Pat Rigney, administrator of Horses of Tir Na Nog. “In spite of losing his family, we were able to offer him a forever home with his best buddy, a twenty-five year old pony. It is obvious that they are very bonded and that the pony provides the appaloosa with much-needed companionship and reassurance.”
These two equines entered the care of County of San Diego Department of Animal Services when the owners were taken into custody and their family members were unable to help with the care of the two horses, two pigs, one dog, two hens and a rooster. All of the animals were taken into Animal Services custody for their own protection so that adequate care could be provided.
Horses of Tir Na Nog is the longest-operating equine sanctuary in San Diego County and is currently caring for over fifty equines. Horses of Tir Na Nog is a community-supported equine sanctuary that offers a safe-haven to horses with few options remaining, thereby ensuring them a better quality of life.
Join Horses of Tir Na Nog to raise funds to care for these and the other 61 equines that call the ranch home. For information and to donate, visit www.horsesoftirnanog.org.
Category: Animals, Business, Education, feature, Local News
