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So you all know I have my horse at the trainers ranch and noticed something I didn't like. I notice the horses there have teary eyes and the horse next to her has a bit of discharge. Also very sickly baby chicks since I've been there which was only three days as of today I've seen dead chicks here and there. Is there anything my horse which is in good health now, catch something? I just won the pink eye vetericyn spray wonder if that would help prevent any contagious eye virus these horses my have. I haven't gotten it yet.
Hm, I would ask about the eye discharge! Are there a lot of flies irritating the eyes? Is there another logical reason? Is there a lot of dust in the air? Is the discharge clear (usually not a big deal) or white/yellow (potentially a problem)? Are the membranes around the horse's eyes pink or red and infected looking? I would definitely not use the pink eye spray without a reason, but make some inquiries into the reason behind the eye discharge. I would just out and ask the trainer what is going on.
As for the dead chicks.... that's not a good sign, but chicks do die of natural causes, even if they are well cared for, they are quite finicky. Guess it depends on the reason for the deaths.. do they have heat lights/water/appropriate feed? Why are they dying? Hard to tell if it calls for concern.
ask about the discharge.
Are they in dry lots?
My horse gets very watery eyes and icky eyes when he's in a dusty area. This could also be the situation...the chickens could be if it's hot. they're pretty sensitive to heat, etc.
I would be concerned if the eyes of the horses had the thick discharge and crusty/swollen. Ask the people in charge. With the chicks, don't like the fact that you call them sickly and that you are seeing the dead ones "here and there". My friend raised chickens and when she got the chicks in, there were always a weak one or two that wouldn't make it but you get the dead ones cleaned out quickly. Talk to the people in charge and tell them about your concerns.
Ask the barn owners/managers about both issues. If it was just 1 or 2 horses with discharge in the eye I wouldnt think much about it....could have hurt it, could just be sensative to dust, allergies ect...but if a lot have it that would raise a red flag. Also poultry do die but if it is frequent and they arent picking up the bodies and disposing of them that would also raise red flags.
