Appaloosa is one of the most beautiful and striking coat colors in horses. However, did you know that Appaloosa spotting has been associated with certain eye conditions?
Horses with 2 copies of the appaloosa spotting gene (LP/LP), have Congenital Stationary Night Blindness. This means that their vision in low light is very poor. Horses with 2 copies (homozygous) tend to be a “few spot” appaloosa like the one pictured here. We can help these horses out by keeping stalls and trailers well-lit!
Appaloosa horses are also predisposed to develop Equine Recurrent Uvietis (ERU). This is considered an autoimmune disease where the eyes have constant low-level inflammation. Over time, this causes damage to the eyes and can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness.
With medical management, we can slow the progression of this disease and keep their eyes comfortable for as long as possible! If you have an Appaloosa and have concerns about their eyes or vision, please reach out to us for an exam!
