Equine eyeliner as preventative or treatment of eye issues?

[cosmos mom]

Has anyone heard of this or done it? There is an article in the paint journal on this. My vet seems to think it is cosmetic only, but the article suggests not. I wonder what veterinary opthamologists think? My appy is losing pigment around his eyes and starting to water....:(

[JB]

It is much more than cosmetic for some horses, you are right. It's not uncommon in the Paint and Appy world for the very reasons you are seeing - light sensitivity. It acts like eye-black that ball players wear.

[RockingN]

I've also heard of this and I also think it's for other reasons than just cosmetic. I think it's worth a shot, i'm not sure what the expenses for something like that is though

[paintedtrails]

I have yet to find someone around to do it. The vet thinks it's a great idea, but doesn't know anyone to do it!

[cosmos mom]

I have yet to find someone around to do it. The vet thinks it's a great idea, but doesn't know anyone to do it!


luckily, my husband's friend is a very good tattoo artist that love horses and is willing to call around to people doing this to make sure he learns all of the caveats if I decide to go for it. The other option is a friend of a friend- she does human cosmetic eyeliner. Right now I'm leaning towards the horse saavy guy with 20 years tattooing experience.

[SillyMe]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think it is illegal to show with the tattoo-ed eyeliner. ????

[OverOxers]

There have been a lot of studies about tattoo horses with non-pigmented skin around their eyes to reduce the risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The research showed that it made no significant decrease in risk. Squam is unfortunate and is more prevalent in horses with non-pigmented skin, but there is no preventative treatment to date other than limiting sun exposure.

Also depending on the breed and show registry you may not be able to show a horse that has been tattooed as it's consider altering a horses permanent markings.

[OverOxers]

Sorry actually read the full first post. I am a tech for a veterinary ophthalmologist. And to the OP if your horse seems to be having some issues I would certainly get it checked out by an ophtho. Appy's are unfortunately predisposed to ERU (Equine Recurrent Uveitis) which is a serious and sometimes difficult to treat disease. However the earlier it's diagnosed the more treatment options seem to be available.

[Altamont Sport Horses]

I have appys and have dealt with a number of eye issues. The appys with mottling or no pigment around their eyes are more susceptible to irritation from sun, wind, dust and flies. And because of this the appy is more likely to develop ERU. Get your appy checked to be sure he isn't dealing with ERU (equine recurrent uveitis). Then, regardless of having ERU or not, use a high quality mask to protect his eyes whenever he is outside in the daylight. My appys wear masks to protect their eyes 365 days a year from morning until late afternoon. If they don't wear masks their eyes will run, they may or may not squint, their eyes may get red and angry looking or they may have goopy discharge from the eyes just depending on the horse and the environmental situation that day. If your horse has ERU you are going to need some good masks anyway. The best mask I know of for ERU and protecting the sensitive appy eye is the Guardian Mask. http://www.horsemask.com/Main.html

I use the Guardian Mask with 95% sunshades and the Cashel Crusader depending on the situation. The Guardian Mask is definitely better IMO. But one of my horses has a very thin coat in the summer and isn't comfortable with the Guardian at that time. In the winter she goes back into the Guardian.

People who have appys who are not showing problems with their eyes now - please take a proactive approach and protect their eyes with masks BEFORE they develop a problem...so they don't develop a problem. You do not want your horse to develop ERU. It is very painful and no fun to treat.

ETA: Masks will also help to prevent carcinoma around the eye. Appaloosas and Paints with mottling or less pigment in this area (as well as bald faced horses) are at risk for carcinoma around the eye.

[greyiscute]

I'm not sure if this applies in this situation, but way back in the day, when I was a wee kiddie, my mom's grey TB mare started losing the pigmentation around her eyes. Our very old-timer vet prescribed a tang and cod live oil mix to top-dress on her feed. Amazingly she ate it, and the pigmentation returned! Now that I know more, I'm guessing some sort of vitamin deficiency (C or E?)? Again, not sure if this is the same situation, but at the time I couldn't believe it worked, and I think I still can't...

[JB]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think it is illegal to show with the tattoo-ed eyeliner. ????

I'm fairly certain that as long as there's a vet certificate saying it was done for health reasons, it's legal.

[cosmos mom]

I'm fairly certain that as long as there's a vet certificate saying it was done for health reasons, it's legal.


Actually, the paint association says that if the owner assesses a medical need, they are fine with it. Actually, I don't care what the breed clubs think, because we event and do dressage, not breed shows.

OO that's awesome that you work for a veterinary opthamologist- Cos gets checked 2x's a year by my vet. He does not have a problem per se, I'm just noticing the occasional watery eye (no swelling).

ASH thanks for the advice! I'm looking into the Guardians. I already use the Cashel masks.