The research team identified ocular abnormalities, such as cataracts or iris hyperpigmentation, in 51% of the horses, Andrysikova said—that’s significantly lower than what researchers have found in other breeds. | Photo: Courtesy Dr. Radka Andrysikova

“I was relieved,” said Radka Andrysikova, PhD, MVDr, a past resident at the University of Zürich Vetsuisse Faculty, in Switzerland. “I had expected to find something—my guess was some type of cataract formation, probably related to some stallion lines—as a result of potential inbreeding, but none of my fears came true.”

In their recent study, Andrysikova and colleagues examined 261 Old Kladruber horses’ eyes. About half the horses were black, and the other half were gray—an important consideration given that coat color can affect ocular health, she noted. The horses ranged in age from three months to 27 years.

The research team identified ocular abnormalities, such as cataracts or iris hyperpigmentation, in 51% of the horses, she said—that’s significantly lower than what researchers have found in other breeds. Previous studies have reported such abnormalities in 76% of Lipizzaners, 68% of Thoroughbreds, and 90% of Exmoor ponies, she noted