Sarcoid is a common disease in all types of horses with 2-8% of horses being affected. Sarcoid is a form of skin cancer. Sarcoids can occur anywhere on the skin, although some parts of the body are more likely to develop sarcoids than others.

We work closely with Equine Medical Solutions to find the best treatment for sarcoids of all types at all locations. There are around 40 different treatments used worldwide. Many “sarcoid remedies” have no scientific evidence to support their use.

Lesions that look the same and are in the same anatomical area can respond differently to the same treatment! It is therefore essential to get the correct advice on treatment as soon as you notice a lesion consistent with sarcoid.

Using the wrong treatment often results in the sarcoid becoming a more aggressive tumour, and will often lead to more sarcoids developing over the horse. Repeated treatment failures will make it harder to treat the horse so it is essential to select the best possible treatment as the first option.

Sarcoids should be treated at an early stage when the lesions are small. This makes effective treatment more certain particularly if the horse is under six years of age.

Neglected lesions will require an extensive and aggressive treatment protocol which may have a big impact on the horse and may not be successful.

Treatment options include radiotherapy, surgery, ligation, topical ointments or photodynamic therapy.

We base our treatment plans on published evidence of benefit and 30 years of experience in treating all types of sarcoid.