The immune system seems to play an integral role in the development of sarcoids. Reducing stress, providing a high-quality, forage-based diet, and even adding immune-supporting herbs may help.
Young to middle-aged horses are most prone to sarcoids, . . . , and common sites of development include the abdomen, sheath, ears, muzzle, or around the eyes. They might also appear at the site of an old scar, especially on the legs.
Many experts believe sarcoids are caused by the bovine papilloma virus (found in cattle) or a related virus and are transmitted by flies and other biting insects, according to Casie Bazay’s research.
Source: Horse Network, May 2018. Link.
Six types of sarcoids exist in horses:
- Occult: Flat, hairless patch with a grey, scaly surface.
- Verrucous: Wart-like and scaly but extend deeper into the tissue than an occult sarcoid.
- Nodular: Lumps form under the skin and often appear shiny.
- Fibroblastic: Usually a fast-growing, fleshy mass which can begin as a complication of a skin wound.
- Mixed: A variable combination of two or more types of sarcoids, often appearing at different times, forming a “colony.”
- Malevolent: Rare, but most aggressive type of sarcoid.