What made John Lyons horse, Bright Zip, go blind?

Question

So in an effort to put a bit more informative questions that the typical "is my horse pretty" ones that you se eon here I have decided to randomly ask things that when answered will be either fun tivia knowledge , actual knowledge to store in your memory to later help you or things that you can pass on to others, so what made Bright Zip go blind, how old was he and did it affect him in anyway? I know the answer to this been a Lyons fan for years... so please don't tell me to go look it up on google!!!

expect a lot of questions from me in the next few days I'm trying to help make this an actual learning forum again!!!! Wonder how long it will take the trolls to get my questions deleted!

Answer 1

I would have guessed moon blindness, but this is what I found on a search. Interesting! I'd like to know what medicine it was.

In 1976, Bright Zip, an Appaloosa stallion, joined the family and became John's number one companion, at his side working the pastures, handling the cattle and accompanying him in John's clinics and symposiums. After close to 20 years together, Zip experienced an adverse reaction to an equine cold medication that left him blind in both eyes. It's only strengthened their relationship, a living example of John's teachings of respect and teamship. No matter how sharp the turns may be, they'll take the journey together.

Answer 2

I remember reading an article about that...
people already gave the answers... allergic reaction to medicine, no it didn't affect him (except that it made his bond with John Lyons even stronger...)

I think he was 20 when it happened...??

But what I remember reading in the article was that John Lyons said that Zip must've just assumed that all horses go blind in their 20s. That really made me understand that a horse wouldn't hold a grudge or feel regret or be dissappointed in something like that... horses just accept what they are given and live the best they can anyway. and they're pretty extraordinary creatures like that.

Answer 3

Good plan. I learned something already. =]
I've only heard about John Lyons, I've never seen him work before...so I don't know anything about Bright Zip, but it's really interesting.

Answer 4

blindness is very common for appys. it is a genetic defect attached to the color genes, for some reason. it is perpetuated by bad breeders.

what I mean is I knew this lady who had a leapard appy colors were chestnut and black and white, which was blind from genetic defect and not injury, she continued to breed her.

she was a sensible woman yet she was actually perpetuating the problem. bad breeders who breed defective horses should be penalized or something.

they pass on the problems, same goes with breeders of overos, if an overo has to much white they can go blind and deaf from certain breeding combinations.

a breeder of overos needs to be up on the info of this genetic defect to avoid it and not breed blind or deaf animals.
the splashed whites (looks like body dipped in white paint legs first) are mostly deaf.

so zip was probably a victim of bad breeding practices. or in some cases just unforeseen circumstances.

RRRRR

Answer 5

I did know that Zip was in his twenties when he went blind but didn't know it was a reaction.
I would love to see more knowledge building trivia on here. I'm really sick of trying to weed thru the "what do you think of my horse" Q's.
Thanks Biscuit for being quizzical! lol

Answer 6

No, Zip was 28 years old when he was put to sleep.

Answer 7

Look it up.... LOL j/k

Without cheating and looking it up cause I have no clue, I would say moon blindness. As for when did it happen, I'm thinking he was young...

p/s star for you, going to try to help you get your badge back that was wrongfully taken from u

EDIT Aww look at that downer

Answer 8

if i remember right from past articles i've read it was a reaction to a dewormer...

Answer 9

Is it moon blindness????