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Vet-Reviewed 2025 Canada Guide: Top 5 Tear Stimulants and Eye Lubricants for Horses — Find the Right Option for Performance or Aging Equines

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

This category covers products that boost natural tear production and provide long-lasting lubrication for equine eyes, including hyaluronic acid gels, artificial tear formulations, and mucomimetic lubricants used to support dry eye, post-operative care, and daily comfort in performance and aging horses. Canadian buyers increasingly prefer preservative-free and long-wearing topical gels that reduce dosing frequency and minimize irritation in cold, dry climates, while performance riders and breeders look for veterinarian-compatible options that balance protection with ease of use and availability. These products appeal because they address common equine ocular needs—maintaining corneal moisture, mimicking tear-film components, and supporting healing—while fitting into stable routines and provincial supply chains.

Quick Menu

1. Best Antimicrobial Cleanser

2. Best OTC Lubricant (Off-label)

3. Best Thick Gel for Extended Protection

4. Best Vet-Grade Preservative-Free Gel

5. Best Equine-Specific Long-Lasting Lube

1
BEST ANTIMICROBIAL CLEANSER

Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash

Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash

Vetericyn Plus holds a top position for equine ocular care because its wound-cleansing antimicrobial formula helps reduce bacterial load without irritating delicate equine eyes, making it a strong first-line wash before lubricants or veterinary intervention. Compared with thicker lubricants on this list, its technical advantage is safe, frequent-use irrigation and infection control, and it is often more cost-effective for routine flushing than repeatedly replacing preservative-free drops.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Antimicrobial cleanse

  • Gentle tissue-safe

  • Antimicrobial cleanse

  • Gentle tissue-safe

Review Summary

85%

"Users appreciate Vetericyn Plus for gentle, non‑irritating cleansing of equine eyes and routine irrigation of debris; many note it helps mild irritations but is not a substitute for veterinary antibiotics in active infections."

  • Vet-favorite spray

  • Specifically formulated as a non-toxic antimicrobial eye wash to cleanse debris and contaminants from the ocular surface

  • Vet-favorite spray

  • Specifically formulated as a non-toxic antimicrobial eye wash to cleanse debris and contaminants from the ocular surface

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Vetericyn Plus holds a top position for equine ocular care because its wound-cleansing antimicrobial formula helps reduce bacterial load without irritating delicate equine eyes, making it a strong first-line wash before lubricants or veterinary intervention. Compared with thicker lubricants on this list, its technical advantage is safe, frequent-use irrigation and infection control, and it is often more cost-effective for routine flushing than repeatedly replacing preservative-free drops.

  • Antimicrobial cleanse

  • Gentle tissue-safe

  • Vet-favorite spray

  • Specifically formulated as a non-toxic antimicrobial eye wash to cleanse debris and contaminants from the ocular surface

  • Safe for frequent use around animals including horses — supports flushing of foreign material without antibiotics

  • Antimicrobial cleanse

  • Gentle tissue-safe

  • Vet-favorite spray

  • Specifically formulated as a non-toxic antimicrobial eye wash to cleanse debris and contaminants from the ocular surface

  • Safe for frequent use around animals including horses — supports flushing of foreign material without antibiotics

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$20-40 CAD

2
BEST OTC LUBRICANT (OFF-LABEL)

Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops

Systane Ultra is included as a market-leading lubricant due to its advanced polymer blend that provides longer-lasting tear-film stabilization, which can reduce application frequency for horses prone to dry eye. Financially it is positioned as a premium human ophthalmic product repurposed for equine use, offering superior comfort and residence time compared with basic saline washes but typically at a higher per-dose cost than generic or vet-formulated gels.

4.1
★★★★☆

  • Long-lasting lubrication

  • Rapid symptom relief

  • Long-lasting lubrication

  • Rapid symptom relief

Review Summary

82%

"Owners using Systane Ultra report quick, effective lubrication and short‑term relief for dry or irritated eyes, though some find the effect wears off faster in larger or more active horses and a few note transient stinging."

  • Clinically trusted

  • Human ophthalmic lubricant providing fast relief from dryness with low-to-moderate viscosity drops

  • Clinically trusted

  • Human ophthalmic lubricant providing fast relief from dryness with low-to-moderate viscosity drops

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Systane Ultra is included as a market-leading lubricant due to its advanced polymer blend that provides longer-lasting tear-film stabilization, which can reduce application frequency for horses prone to dry eye. Financially it is positioned as a premium human ophthalmic product repurposed for equine use, offering superior comfort and residence time compared with basic saline washes but typically at a higher per-dose cost than generic or vet-formulated gels.

  • Long-lasting lubrication

  • Rapid symptom relief

  • Clinically trusted

  • Human ophthalmic lubricant providing fast relief from dryness with low-to-moderate viscosity drops

  • Contains demulcent ingredients (e.g., polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol + gelling agent) for temporary tear film support

  • Long-lasting lubrication

  • Rapid symptom relief

  • Clinically trusted

  • Human ophthalmic lubricant providing fast relief from dryness with low-to-moderate viscosity drops

  • Contains demulcent ingredients (e.g., polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol + gelling agent) for temporary tear film support

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$15-30 CAD

3
BEST THICK GEL FOR EXTENDED PROTECTION

Remend Eye Lubricating Drops

Remend Eye Lubricating Drops

Remend Eye Lubricating Drops are recognized for delivering a straightforward, economical lubricant option for equine tear supplementation and maintenance therapy, making them a good value choice for owners managing chronic mild dryness. Technically they trade some of the long-residence benefits of gel formulations for easier spreading and lower cost per application versus thicker products like Optixcare or veterinary gels, so they fit a budget-conscious maintenance niche on this list.

3.9
★★★☆☆

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Thick tear substitute

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Thick tear substitute

Review Summary

78%

"Remend is praised for comfortable lubrication and ease of use with several users reporting longer‑lasting relief than basic drops, but others report variable effectiveness for chronic equine dry eye and a slightly greasy feel."

  • Barn-proven relief

  • Viscous lubricant/gel formulation designed to provide longer-lasting ocular surface protection than standard drops

  • Barn-proven relief

  • Viscous lubricant/gel formulation designed to provide longer-lasting ocular surface protection than standard drops

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Remend Eye Lubricating Drops are recognized for delivering a straightforward, economical lubricant option for equine tear supplementation and maintenance therapy, making them a good value choice for owners managing chronic mild dryness. Technically they trade some of the long-residence benefits of gel formulations for easier spreading and lower cost per application versus thicker products like Optixcare or veterinary gels, so they fit a budget-conscious maintenance niche on this list.

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Thick tear substitute

  • Barn-proven relief

  • Viscous lubricant/gel formulation designed to provide longer-lasting ocular surface protection than standard drops

  • Often available in preservative-free single-dose vials or small tubes suitable for sensitive or injured eyes

  • Preservative-free comfort

  • Thick tear substitute

  • Barn-proven relief

  • Viscous lubricant/gel formulation designed to provide longer-lasting ocular surface protection than standard drops

  • Often available in preservative-free single-dose vials or small tubes suitable for sensitive or injured eyes

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$12-30 CAD

4
BEST VET-GRADE PRESERVATIVE-FREE GEL

I-Drop Vet Plus

I-Drop Vet Plus

I-Drop Vet Plus earns a leading role for horses because it is a veterinary-focused, preservative-free formulation designed specifically for animals, offering a thicker, more protective tear substitute that is well suited to corneal compromise. Compared with multi-use human drops, its technical advantage is reduced risk of preservative-induced toxicity and better suitability for frequent or long-term therapeutic use, though it can carry a higher price per vial consistent with single-use veterinary products.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Veterinary-strength gel

  • Multipurpose moistening

  • Veterinary-strength gel

  • Multipurpose moistening

Review Summary

88%

"Vets and owners like I‑Drop Vet Plus for its sterile, preservative‑free formula and long‑lasting, soothing lubrication that supports corneal healing; common complaints are higher cost and limited packaging sizes."

  • Stable-ready tube

  • Veterinary-specific lubricant formulated preservative-free for safe use on injured or post-op equine eyes

  • Stable-ready tube

  • Veterinary-specific lubricant formulated preservative-free for safe use on injured or post-op equine eyes

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

I-Drop Vet Plus earns a leading role for horses because it is a veterinary-focused, preservative-free formulation designed specifically for animals, offering a thicker, more protective tear substitute that is well suited to corneal compromise. Compared with multi-use human drops, its technical advantage is reduced risk of preservative-induced toxicity and better suitability for frequent or long-term therapeutic use, though it can carry a higher price per vial consistent with single-use veterinary products.

  • Veterinary-strength gel

  • Multipurpose moistening

  • Stable-ready tube

  • Veterinary-specific lubricant formulated preservative-free for safe use on injured or post-op equine eyes

  • Higher viscosity gel provides sustained lubrication and a protective film over the cornea

  • Veterinary-strength gel

  • Multipurpose moistening

  • Stable-ready tube

  • Veterinary-specific lubricant formulated preservative-free for safe use on injured or post-op equine eyes

  • Higher viscosity gel provides sustained lubrication and a protective film over the cornea

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$25-60 CAD

5
BEST EQUINE-SPECIFIC LONG-LASTING LUBE

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is a market leader for equine lubrication when long-lasting ocular protection is needed, as its viscous gel formulation adheres well to the cornea and reduces reapplication during riding or turnout. Financially and practically it often represents a cost-effective compromise between frequent drops and custom veterinary preparations, offering extended retention similar to prescription gels but usually available over the counter.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • High-viscosity gel

  • Protective tear film

  • High-viscosity gel

  • Protective tear film

Review Summary

91%

"Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is widely regarded as a market‑leading gel for horses—providing long‑lasting protection and reduced application frequency—though some users find it messy to apply and relatively expensive."

  • Ride-ready shield

  • Marketed for horses with a formulation that offers durable ocular surface protection and comfort

  • Ride-ready shield

  • Marketed for horses with a formulation that offers durable ocular surface protection and comfort

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is a market leader for equine lubrication when long-lasting ocular protection is needed, as its viscous gel formulation adheres well to the cornea and reduces reapplication during riding or turnout. Financially and practically it often represents a cost-effective compromise between frequent drops and custom veterinary preparations, offering extended retention similar to prescription gels but usually available over the counter.

  • High-viscosity gel

  • Protective tear film

  • Ride-ready shield

  • Marketed for horses with a formulation that offers durable ocular surface protection and comfort

  • Typically preservative-free and available in syringes/tubes for easy application to large animals

  • High-viscosity gel

  • Protective tear film

  • Ride-ready shield

  • Marketed for horses with a formulation that offers durable ocular surface protection and comfort

  • Typically preservative-free and available in syringes/tubes for easy application to large animals

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$25-60 CAD

What the Research Says About Tear Stimulants and Eye Lubricants

Veterinary ophthalmology research supports the use of targeted lubricants and secretagogue therapies to improve tear-film stability, protect the cornea, and reduce clinical signs of dry eye. Studies and clinical case series indicate that formulations containing high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or mucomimetic agents can retain moisture on the ocular surface, while preservative-free preparations reduce epithelial irritation when used frequently. Controlled and observational veterinary reports also show that long-acting gels and ointments improve comfort and reduce the need for hourly dosing in field settings, although prescription tear stimulants and immunomodulators should be used under veterinary guidance for chronic or severe cases.

Hyaluronic acid binds and retains water on the corneal surface, increasing tear-film stability and improving comfort in both acute and chronic dry eye presentations.

Mucomimetic ingredients help recreate the mucin layer of the tear film, improving spread and adherence of lubricants between blinks.

Preservative-free formulations are associated with lower rates of epithelial irritation and are preferred for frequent application or sensitive eyes.

Long-acting topical gels and ointments reduce dosing frequency, which is especially useful for performance horses and owners managing multiple animals.

Veterinary studies and clinical case series report improved corneal healing and reduced signs of ocular surface disease when lubricants are used as directed alongside veterinary care.

Tear stimulants and secretagogue therapies can increase natural tear production in some chronic cases, but they require a veterinarian’s diagnosis and monitoring.

In the Canadian context for 2025, the five products highlighted here offer a range of approaches for equine eye care: Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Wash, Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops, Remend Eye Lubricating Drops, I-Drop Vet Plus, and Optixcare Eye Lube Plus. Each product has strengths depending on whether you need antimicrobial cleansing, lightweight artificial tears, hyaluronic-based lubrication, veterinary-formulated drops, or a long-wearing ointment. For most owners seeking a versatile long-wearing protector that works well for both performance and aging horses, Optixcare Eye Lube Plus is a practical choice. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the site search to refine by ingredient, preservative-free status, dosing frequency, or to expand into related categories.

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