A mysterious ailment is causing Matheran’s iconic horses to lose their eyesight, sparking concern among their owners. According to experts, the illness begins with blindness in one eye and progresses to complete loss of vision. So far, 10 cases have been recorded. Dr Anil P Lahane, an equine veterinarian and founder of the Pune-based organisation Ashvaseva, and his team recently visited Matheran after learning about the situation from horse owners.

He told mid-day, “A mystery disease is spreading among horses in Matheran, causing rapid and severe eye infections that can lead to complete blindness. The condition typically begins with watery eyes and mild swelling, progressing to yellowing and reddening of the eye. Within days, affected horses may lose their vision entirely. The exact cause remains unknown, though early intervention with antiprotozoal medication and prescribed eye drops has shown some positive results. At the first sign of swelling, cloudiness, or redness, contact a qualified veterinarian immediately.”