You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Cannot Hear, Seems Deaf
Summary
Deafness in horses may be more common than previously assumed, and can result from a variety of causes including inner or middle ear infections, old age, trauma, certain drugs and temporohyoid osteoarthropathy.
Congenital deafness often occurs in horses with white faces and blue (or partially blue) eyes, typically of the American Paint and Pinto breeds. This is thought to result from the lack of pigment in the elements of the inner ear.
Congenital deafness often occurs in horses with white faces and blue (or partially blue) eyes, typically of the American Paint and Pinto breeds. This is thought to result from the lack of pigment in the elements of the inner ear.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the horse seems not quite right, or eating less than normal in addition to this sign.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If this is the only sign and the horse seems normal otherwise.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
You can try to assess your horse's hearing yourself with a simple exercise (see related skill "Assess Hearing, Startle Test"). However, confirmation of your hunch should be made by your vet or your nearest equine veterinary hospital.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
Your vet can perform a clinical exam and may be able to perform a Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Response (BAER) test, which detects electrical activity in the cochlea (inner ear) and examines the brain wave patterns that change in response to noise. Horses that are completely deaf exhibit a flatline response to the BAER test.
If your horse is diagnosed with partial or total deafness, talk to your vet about changing your horse's management and your expectations. You can modify your training routine to use more visual cues. You should try to ensure that your horse isn't startled by surprises that other horses can hear and anticipate.
If your horse is diagnosed with partial or total deafness, talk to your vet about changing your horse's management and your expectations. You can modify your training routine to use more visual cues. You should try to ensure that your horse isn't startled by surprises that other horses can hear and anticipate.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Why do you think the horse is deaf or having trouble hearing?
- Is the horse an American Paint or a Pinto?
- What color is the horse's head, face and eyes?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Very Common
Less Common
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
