By Dr. Garrett Metcalf, DVM

It is no secret that horses like to hurt themselves, just ask any horse owner and they will be happy to share some horse injury stories. Oftentimes these injuries can involve the tissue around or near the eyes. This final installment in this series will focus on trauma related to ocular tissue and surrounding structures of the eye and discuss other abnormalities that focus on the tissue around the eyes.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Eyelids are commonly injured in horses from lacerations on feed buckets, stalls or various other structures. The eyelids for any species are essential for the health of the cornea. The eyelids spread the tears across the surface of the cornea to keep the cornea from drying out and secrete a specific layer of the tear film to keep the tears from evaporating so quickly. It is very important to repair any eyelid laceration as quickly and as accurately as possible versus removing the damaged eyelid tissue. Some eyelid lacerations will be severely damaged to the point that owners or veterinarians will think that it is impossible for the tissue to survive, but the rule is always try and save the eyelids even if it looks hopeless. Most of the time eyelid lacerations can be repaired standing with local anesthesia and sedation, but occasionally some repairs are needed under general anesthesia to do the best possible repair.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

By Dr. Garrett Metcalf, DVM

Uveitis is a specific term used to describe inflammation of the interior part of the eye or the uvea. This area of the eye involves mostly the posterior chamber of the eye. The posterior chamber contains the iris, retina and a structure called the ciliary body. There are multiple reasons uveitis can occur in horses but one of the most common reasons is trauma related or a disease called recurrent uveitis.

Signs of Uveitis

Uveitis is an incredibly painful inflammatory condition of the eye. Horses that display uveitis are tearing and squinting excessively. The color of the cornea may turn blue in color and the pupil will be very small despite being out of direct light or even when it is dark out.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

By Krista Lucas Wynn

It is hard to believe the end of the 2022 professional rodeo season is drawing near, and it has been a tough year all the way through in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel racing.
Several first time contestants have made their name known including Jamie Olsen, Presley Smith and Taycie Matthews.

Olsen, who was previously featured in North Texas Farm & Ranch, advanced to the semifinals at Cheyenne Frontier Days, while Smith and Matthews also qualified for the CFD short go, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. The three cowgirls are hot on the tail of number one rookie, Bayleigh Choate from Fort Worth, Texas.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.