Blue eyes appear that way for humans because there isn’t melanin available. That causes the light to create Rayleigh scattering, causing the light to split into the color spectrum.
About half of all Americans have blue eyes, but this trait is only seen in about 10% of the global population. Experts believe the first human born with this color appeared about 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. That means everyone with blue eyes is distantly related to each other.
Brown melanin is the only pigment for the eye. You get different colors based on how light strikes the iris. Humans can even have their eye colors change after birth, and it isn’t a predictable trait.
When horses have blue eyes, it’s a condition referred to as wall eye.
What Does Wall Eye on a Horse Mean?
Horses with blue-colored eyes are referred to as having a “wall eye.” It is possible for some individuals to have one blue and one brown eye, or even have two blue eyes. This coloration occurs because the horse’s iris lacks pigmentation. This term can also apply if the same eye has blue and brown components.
A horse’s eyes work the same way as they do for each of us. That also means a horse can develop most of the same ophthalmology problems as humans as they get older.
Horses can have glaucoma, cataracts, and similar problems.
Since a horse’s vision is how they receive information about its environment, it is crucial for good eye care to be part of the overall health plan for each animal. Even when facing forward, horses can see movement around most of their body areas because of their 340-degree vision arc.
Some horses develop a condition called “wall eye.” It isn’t the same as a tear duct disorder or a problem with the optic nerve.
It is a physical trait with a common term so that people know what to expect. Some breeders and owners love having horses with wall eye, but others avoid it whenever possible. Many breeds, ranging from Arabians to Thoroughbreds, have registered animals with blue eyes.
Cremellos Are the Most Likely to Have Wall Eye
Cream and cremello horses (including Champagne colors for all breeds) are the most likely to have one or two blue eyes. This trait occurs because the animal’s dominant gene causes pigment dilution.
The same genetics that create the lighter hair provide a similar result for the eyes.
Horses with other coat colors can have blue eyes, especially when overos (white spots) are on the coat. If you see one with a white blaze or marking on the forehead, there is a greater chance of having wall eye.
As with humans, horses can develop blue eyes unpredictably.
The reason why some owners and breeders avoid this trait involves the ophthalmologic health of the horse. Blue eyes are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma than other colors across all breeds.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer type that occurs more often because the eyes lack pigmentation, as does the surrounding skin. Other risk factors are the same, including the development of vision problems, when compared to other eye colors.
Conditions That Aren’t Wall Eye, But Look Like It
Horses can develop some health conditions that make it seem like they have blue eyes, but there is something else happening. Wall eye occurs at birth.
When a horse’s cornea becomes inflamed, it can cause the eye to start looking cloudy. If the sun reflects off that spot just right, it can make the eyes appear to be blue. Inflammation can be caused by several issues, ranging from a corneal ulcer to dust impacting the eye’s outer surface.
Cataracts can also cause a horse’s eyes to appear blue. Some foals are born with this condition, while others have them appear due to injury, illness, or old age.
If your horse’s eyes appear cloudy, blue, or white, but they didn’t look that way before, it is essential to contact a veterinarian to determine the health issue and treat the condition.
Do Horses with Blue Eyes Have Behavioral Problems?
It doesn’t take long to find plenty of warnings from self-identified horse experts that recommend avoiding animals with blue eyes.
Here are some of the myths that masquerade as facts when looking online for information about horses with wall eye.
- Horses with blue eyes have more mental instability than those with other colors.
- All horses with wall eye will eventually go blind.
- You can’t work with a horse that has blue eyes on a sunny day.
Although horses with blue eyes do need extra protection from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays, a simple fly mask that helps to shield the face can provide assistance. It also helps to avoid exposing the horse to direct sunlight in the late afternoon when peak ultraviolet production occurs.
Research from the University of Illinois found that brown, multicolored, and blue eyes were just as likely to develop ocular disease and other ailments. There is no significant difference between eye socket diseases, neoplasia, eyelid lacerations, or corneal disease.
Horses are as individualistic as humans, each with unique preferences and personalities. Judging the animal because of its eye color means you’re missing out on a lot of other potentially desirable traits.
What To Expect from a Horse’s Eye Examination?
Horses require periodic veterinary care to ensure a happy and healthy life. One of the essential checkups is to have the eyes examined.
The first step is to check to see that the outline and shape of the eyes are normal. Your veterinarian is looking for obvious abnormalities that could communicate a health condition exists.
When the stall is darkened, the next step is to use magnification and light to test the pupil’s reflexes. Your veterinarian will also examine the eye’s front part during this step. If there is a suspicion that the horse isn’t producing enough tears, a Schirmer Tear Test could be performed to measure moisture levels.
Another common test involves placing a small drop of a fluorescein stain in each eye to see if any cornea defects are present.
Next, a tonometer measures the pressure in the eye. If the readings are too high, the risk for optic nerve damage increases. This issue can lead to blindness.
A swab to detect fungi or bacteria may be performed, and some vets might turn the horse’s eyelids inside out to examine the skin. If the internal components require examination, drops to dilate the eye might be necessary.
Appropriate restraints are needed for horses during an eye examination. Sedation is sometimes required for high-energy animals.
Best Saddles to Use for Wall Eye Horses
Horses with blue eyes love to hit the trail as much as any other. When you have a comfortable saddle to use, the ride can be comfortable for everyone involved.
The best saddles are made with leather, provide an appropriate structure for the breed, and offer an extra-soft seat.
You might consider dressage accessories, including high-end reins, a bridle, or an elastic headpiece.
Here are some of the best options you can get today for a ride with your blue-eyed horse.
1. Wintec Full Quarter Western Saddle
This saddle features a Cheyenne roll that comes styled within a double-fender square skirt. It’s a weatherproof design that lets you ride in all weather conditions, although your horse might disagree.
There’s plenty of grip available to use, while the suede seat delivers excellent comfort and the right amount of grip.
Since it only weighs 19 pounds, you won’t be putting a lot of extra pressure on the horse’s back when it’s time to take a ride. It’s a practical investment for anyone starting out or trying to find what they want.
2. Hilason Western Saddle Gaited Leather Saddle
You’ll receive cowhide skirting with this saddle, offering a 16-inch seat and a 4.5-inch cantle. It fits a gullet of six to eight inches, which makes it perfect for a gaited horse. You’ll see beautiful hand tooling on the surface, while the front and rear provide matching cinch straps.
The design works to take as much weight away as possible while providing a shorter skirt. It delivers a maximum contact experience for horses that deal with social anxiety while riding.
You can adjust it away from pressure points for you or the horse, especially since the bars flex from a semi-design to a full bar.
3. Wintec HART Isabell Dressage Saddle
This saddle was designed by Isabell Werth, one of the world’s top dressage champions. If your horse prefers a lot of communication during a ride, this product delivers. It gives you a deeper seat with more grip without throwing off your balance.
It comes with a moving stirrup bar for extra comfort. Your legs will find the right groove to maintain contact, just as the soft panels mold around the animal’s muscles for extra security and contact.
Should I Avoid Horses with Blue Eyes?
Wall eye is not a condition that affects a horse’s temperament. The animal’s upbringing, environment, and social interactions play a greater role than any perceived biological trait. With the right saddle, stall, and food, these individuals can become an integral part of the family.
I knew a horse with wall eye named Jed while growing up. He lived on the farm at the end of our road.
My family lived in a rural area where the first part of our road was paved, but the remainder was still gravel. Jed had a field in that space where he was often by himself.
Jed’s favorite activity was to run next to the cars along the fence as they drove by. If you happened to walk that way instead, he’d chortle at you until you gave him a treat. Then he’d throw his head back, kick the front legs a little, and race away – until he wanted another treat.
Whenever I felt like I needed a friend, I’d walk down to see Jed with an apple. Those were some of the best moments of my childhood, even if it was me talking to a horse.
As Jed got older, he didn’t always race the cars. He’d still be there at the fence, watching people come by with a friendly greeting.
The last time I drove that way, Jed wasn’t at the fence. I stopped by the farm, concerned for his health, but he was there in his stall getting new shoes. He saw me, and I swear he got a smile, and then he gave me a look of concern when there wasn’t an apple in my hands. I quickly rectified that situation.
Wall eye horses might have a reputation for having behavioral issues, but that hasn’t been my experience.
When you give them some of your time, go on rides, and treat them right, you’ll have a friend for life.