07.15.2009
The "Eyes" Have It...
Calm Eyes is really an old farm remedy I learned about from my first riding instructor (who gave me Star, the world’s most expensive free horse, way back when….I thought spending $800 on medically treating a horse was a lot of money!!). Diane mixed eyebright herb in water and let it sit out in the sun until it became the color of tea. Then she wiped down her horses eyes with it.
Of course, Calm Eyes has come a long way from then but we finally hit on the solution, now being used. Most people use it to keep the flies away. I didn’t realize it at first, but it is the irritation and drainage that attract the flies – it is not the flies that create the irritation and drainage. That is important to know because we have to look at what is causing the irritation and drainage.
Irritation is usually caused by adverse weather conditions (wind, smoky air etc) or stable conditions like dust from shavings, or outside conditions like rolling in dirt! The drainage comes from the eyes natural ability to clean itself by irrigating the eyeball in its own liquids. Out comes the irritants with the drainage, attracting the flies.
So, if you can soothe the irritation and eliminate the drainage by wiping down with Calm Eyes, you solve these problems. It is used externally because there is no reason to add anything to the eye itself – let nature take its course. Also, besides making the horse mad, you really risk injuring the delicate tissues of the eye.
You also solve the advancing problem of horses itching their eyes on fence posts. That often leads to the expensive and possibly blinding problem of corneal ulceration.
We used to go through tons of the antibiotic creams and the steroidal antibiotic creams you buy from the vet for about $10.00 per 1 ounce tube. But since using Calm Eyes on a regular basis, we never need to buy it! And horses like it much better! It is soothing and cooling!
Many, many of my friends say that when they bring out the Calm Eyes, their horses stick out their heads and close their eyes, anticipating the treatment. Now THAT is an endorsement!