Cheap well bred youngster with sarcoid, would you buy?

Curragh

Curragh

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Hi,

I've been looking quietly for some thing to catch my eye and found a lovely 4 year old, unbroken, well bred, stunning and cheap. But, he has developed a sarcoid on his chest. I haven't rung up yet as want to find out as much as I can and people's opinion's on whether this is a good idea or not?

This is an idea way for me to buy a well bred youngster, who would of normally have been way out of my budget.

But I need more info please :)

Thanks in advance.
 
Would get a vet to take a look at it, my daughters pony had small sarcoid, vet said to leave alone unless changed shape. When it did I got the vet back and they prescribed blood root ointment, it all swelled up and then dropped off. Not returned in the year since then, touch wood;)
 
I went to a talk by Dr Derek Knottenbelt, he said that if a horse has sarcoids, it could stay the same, or go worse.

He advised a friend not to buy a 4yo with a sarcoid, but the friend bought it anyway, and it lived into its late 20's and the sarcoid never changed...
 
Yes if I loved it and the price was right and I would treat it straight away with the best treatment available .but you need to have the budget for that worked out when you talk price with them.
 
Tbh I wouldn't buy anything with sarcoids after seeing a couple off horses get them poping up all over the play after starting with just one. Although some can be treated fine and some don't change but if your unlucky he could end up with more coming up.
 
Depends on type and where it is. If it were me I would look at the horse, if you like it then speak to vet. It wont be covered on insurance and is expensive.

Friends appy has had a number of them removed successfully.
 
Depends entirely on the type, they seem to vary so much which I suppose is why the whole immune theory was accepted, as some horses get none, others just get one, others a few, others get riddled with them, and who knows which your horse is!! What I would say is that as it would be an existing condition it would not be covered by insurance now or at any time for the condition, so any treatment now or in the future would be at your expense, so bare this in mind financially.
 
I bought mine aged 7 with sarcoids on his sheath & chest (& the insurance exclusions to accompany them!) had him 11 years and they haven't changed one bit or caused any trouble.

I would buy another with sarcoids, as long as they weren't in a place that inhibited tack or riding (but I have only had one experience with sarcoids)
 
Mine had a tiny one plus one on his armpit that developed later. Both treated with Liverpool cream, no problems in three years. All sarcoids I've seen have been successfully treated with cream or banding.

I'd buy. :)
 
OP, I did exactly this!

Gorgeous 3 y/o ID/TB she didn't have the sarcoid when I bought her, it developed 2 months later, under her tummy.

It was the flat nobbly type, I had it treated pretty quickly with Liverpool cream. It has left a lovely flat scar which I am extremely pleased with.

If you are interested I can let you see pics all through the treatment.

I know there is a good chance she will develop more, and truly I wouldn't have chosen a horse with sarcoids, but I check her top to toe, daily and will have any more treated as soon as I find them.

Personally I believe speed is of the essence, and fly control is imperative.

Have a look on Liverpool University site, it's interesting reading!
 
Think about if its in a place that will interfere with rugs or martingales etc.

I would pay a small deposit and get photos sent to Derek Knottenbelt - and take his advice. I'd also be looking at how much treatment can/will cost,, what happens if he gets another elsewhere etc.

Also depends what you want him for I guess, and what would happen should he become unrideable e.g. if he got one where his girth would sit.

I think you also have to think about the other horses he will live with - it is currently believed that they are spread by flies, so is it really fair to introduce a horse with a sarcoid to a sarcoid-free yard.

Just my thoughts.
 
Naturally, I believe the evidence shows that some horses are predisposed to sarcoids.

If a horse is not predisposed it will not get sarcoids through fly transfer from a sufferer.
 
Persephone said:
Naturally, I believe the evidence shows that some horses are predisposed to sarcoids.

If a horse is not predisposed it will not get sarcoids through fly transfer from a sufferer.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree with you (although I may have temporarily forgotten it when writing the above post :o)

Just something to bear in mind I guess. Its something I would be concerned about. I would imagine you don't know a horse is predisposed to it until they have one...?

Its something I can't wait for there to be more knowledge on - that and grass sickness.
 
Absolutely, there is no way you would know until they get one.

The fact that mine got her first two months after I got her, could mean she got it from a horse in our herd in theory!

I believe I read somewhere, that you would expect a horse to have developed it's first sarcoid by 10 years if it is going to. I would have to look for the source on that though.

Phew Grass sickness, that's a horror sure enough. So much to learn about so many things.
 
Life does not exist in absolutes - price it appears is your main decider, so go for it - if cheap enough for you - you sound like you'll cut your losses somewhere down the line, with such cautious financial savvy I'm sure.
 
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My vet told me I would have taken treatment price off his sale price. Treatment was under £200, cheap, I thought. I check the sites of the sarcoids regularly and I'm careful with fly spray etc but he's shown no signs of more. Greys are more prone.
 
I would just say be careful about the insurance. I doubt an insurance company would 100% insure this horse but I am unsure of to what extent they would exclude.
 
Mine had a sarcoid on his chest as a four year old when I bought him, it didn't get picked up on the vetting! It was flat and hairless but then developed in to a large ball like lump. Anyway, a year later it just dropped off and never came back. He is now 13. Apparently some horses will self cure and if so they are unlikely to get them again. If there wasn't any signs of others I might to tempted to buy. Sarcoids aren't always a problem. I'd get your vet to look and see what they say, if there's no sign of others and the price is cheap then maybe it would be worth a gamble.
 
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