Collagen Granulomas - any experiences?

[happyhorse978]

Hello all, just wondering if you have any advice or experiences you could share please! My horse, over the past 8 weeks (approx) has developed what appear to be Collagen Granulomas on his back, just on the one side. He has about 5, with one of them being a little larger/harder than the others (this was the first one to appear). They appeared during the coat change, he had an Irish clip so had his coat over his back still. Obviously now his summer coat has come through lovely but they are still there. He doesn't seem at all bothered by them when I press them etc, they dont appear to be sore, but I am worried as he originally started off with one and now he has five! Although he has had this amount for about one month and they have not changed in size or amount etc. I'm worried they are uncomfortable under saddle.

I had the vet out (for another reason - not my normal vet as was an emergency call out) and got him to have a look at them. He didnt know what they were! so of course that lead me to have a look on the internet and on here, and actually I was suprised how common collagen granulomas seem! People say sometimes they can start as an allergic reaction to fly bites, or a reaction to sweat etc. I saw another article with people saying to try sheepskin pads under the saddle, ironically I actually have the saddle fitter today and was actually going to have my saddle fitted with my sheepskin half pad,so i will be giving this a try too!

Apparently they can be treated locally with steroids injected into them to shrink them, has anyone had any experience of this? Did it work? I'm happy to go down this route if this seems to do the trick! But just looking for advice or if anyone has managed to clear these up any other ways. I will get my usual vet out to have a look at them but just wanted to check on here for anyone elses experience!

Thank you in advance

 

[Lucky Snowball]

My horse has one under the girth. It’s never rubbed or bothered her and many vets over the years have said to leave it alone. I appreciate that under the saddle is different.

 

[millitiger]

My mare about 10 years ago had some- thought to have started a little fly bites.
We injected with steroids and she had some cream to use which did help but they didn't disappear completely.
They never bothered her but they did bother me!

 

[ycbm]

I know of a horse who got them until his owners swapped him to a saddle with foam filled panels. It appears they were caused by even the teeniest imperfection in the smoothness of the panel. It's pretty common for them to be worse on one side and I would perhaps get a biomechanics type person to check out your own asymmetry as a rider.
.

 

[irishdraft]

Yes I have this problem right now, I bought my mare with a tiny one on her back, the vet did know what it was on her vetting, it did actually disappear in a few weeks.. Then she had one come up below the wither which was under the saddle it got quite big like a volcano with the collagen in the middle which eventually fell out but nows she left with quite a prominent hairless lump in a very awkward place. She's now got 5 more one of which has erupted but has thankfully stayed flat but another hairless area. So has another 3 erupting these are all on the left hand side. I've got her booked for the vet next week but short of surgical removal I'm not sure what can be done. I'm not keen on large amounts of steroids because of laminitis risk. I have bought a thick sheepskin numnah for her and this does seem to be keeping the rubbing of the erupting ones at bay but she's a pink skinned grey so has a sensitive skin but she also doesn't seem to be bothered by them, pressing and pushing has no reaction but they look horrible.

 

[Red-1]

I had a mare pop some out. I asked for steroid injections but the vet wanted to take a biopsy just to be sure they were collagen lumps. I wanted some time off from riding anyway so, being as he was there with a knife in hand, I had them surgically removed there and then. They healed well and stayed away when back in work.

You could make out where they'd been on a couple of them. The injections would have been neater but the surgical removal was more complete.

 

[happyhorse978]

thanks everyone! Weirdly I’ve just found another exactly the same looking on his backend, just behind his flank. Unsure what could be causing these and worried they’re going to start popping up everywhere so will have to give vet a call on Monday to make an appointment for them to come out and take a look.
Am worried about the steroid risks re laminitis!! So wonder if there is any other method of treatment …

 

[happyhorse978]

I know of a horse who got them until his owners swapped him to a saddle with foam filled panels. It appears they were caused by even the teeniest imperfection in the smoothness of the panel. It's pretty common for them to be worse on one side and I would perhaps get a biomechanics type person to check out your own asymmetry as a rider.
.

Thankyou!! Will definitely look into this, however I’ve just found one on his backend near his flank too … think I’ll get vet out next week to take a look!! Xx

 

[irishdraft]

thanks everyone! Weirdly I’ve just found another exactly the same looking on his backend, just behind his flank. Unsure what could be causing these and worried they’re going to start popping up everywhere so will have to give vet a call on Monday to make an appointment for them to come out and take a look.
Am worried about the steroid risks re laminitis!! So wonder if there is any other method of treatment …

My mare has them in other places, she has 2 on her cheek which are slightly up from headcollar & bridle and several over the body from what I can understand it's pressure that causes them to come up ie under the saddle .

 

[happyhorse978]

Interestingly- spoke with my saddler about them. He said not to mess with them and that they are effectively like blocked pores. He said after every ride, whilst the horse is still warm and the pores are open, wipe the back & girth area down with diluted hibiscrub in cold water, this will cleanse the area and the cold water will close the pores. He said he’s used this many a time and always been successful, he said they should just disappear on their own eventually.
Worth a try!! Fingers crossed

 

[LEC]

I have a horse with one. I have just stuck Aldara on it as had some for another horse and it’s shrunk it by 75%.

The issue with Aldara is you would not be able to ride as it does cause a reaction and inflame the skin while it’s working. This horse has one on their neck and it was annoying me even though no issue to horse and had been there for years.