Riding a one eyed horse : any differences

First off I have to say I have never ridden a one eyed horse before Charlotte.

A lot of people have asked about the differences that Charlotte my show now that she only has one eye. Well... She has always been an "in you back pocket" type of horse. She really likes to swing her large head around to get scratches and treats. Know that she does not have an eye on that side she seems to swing it that direction more often, I believe its to try to get her right eye in that direction to see better. But that being the case .. you better duck! Haha 

I am more aware of her needs now. It took some time for her to get use to being in the cross ties, I believe that has to do with the opening of the barn is on the side that she does not have her eye. She will swing her whole body in the cross ties to try and look and crank her head toward the barn opening. She has had no problems with me tacking her up and brushing on that side. I try to treat each day the same like she is a "normal" horse. I feel that if I start to baby her like something is wrong, she may start to feel that its not ok. And then she may second guess me or lose confidence. Which could result in her getting scared. 

I would have to say the biggest change for her is her eye socket. It took me a hot minute to get use to there not being an eye. The aesthetic part of not having an eye. Truthfully, I have to be honest, I was a bit taken back by the way it looked. It was not normal to me. But I remind myself everyday that Charlotte is not a normal horse, she is truly a unicorn. The socket area its self has started to sink in excepts the middle has stayed protruded a bit. This could be from a number of things that we are monitoring but all in all the area will start to sink in. 

As long as you keep on going, you'll keep getting better. 

And as you get better, you gain confidence.

That alone is success. 

-Tamara Taylor