My horse is unsellable (sarcoids)

I'd have him if things were different.. I have 6 horses.. Good luck, I remember seeing Squid advertised awhile ago x
 
I don't have much to say in the way of advice,but just wanted to tell you not to beat yourself up.Sounds like you have done the best you can with what you have and the circumstances you are up against.

Poor,poor boy having to go through all that,he looks very kind and tolerant.

I would be very wary about giving him away or selling him very cheap.I know the idea is to find a loving home,but IME it just attracts people who promise you the earth and move them on at the earliest opportunity to make a few quid.

PTS would be guarantee him no more suffering and you would have the security of knowing he would not have an uncertain future,but only you know if you can live with that decision.

Good luck with whatever you decide,and I really hope a solution presents itself soon.
 
I think I'd put an ad for him at the college with a view to loaning him to a student on the understanding that if his sarcoids neccessitate surgery ou will pay for that or have him PTS.
 
I think even if he only had one ear as long as the sarcoids in that area had stopped spreading for a while you could still find him a home, I think a riding school would be a good option. I think 1200 is a bit too much, but as he is a purebred CB someone else might not think so :-)

It seems a real shame to put down an otherwise healthy and safe to ride horse for the sake of an ear, but I would struggle to pay for repeated treatments too so I really hope they don't come back or if they do that that is the last of it on the ear!

Good luck with it!
 
This may be no help but thought I would share what worked with our sarcoid horse. He had one large sarcoid on sheath and some small ones in other areas but thankfully not head or tack areas. One just in front of sheath would go through cycle of flaring up, growing big (almost golf ball size) bleeding and attracting flies. He would eventually kick it off when it really irritated him or in later years we tied it with plaiting thread and would eventually drop off. It would then go dormant for another six or nine months and be there but very small and not grow. This went on for approx 8 years always flaring up in summer when flies were prevalent poor boy. We were advised could not cream or surgery as very close to site of umbilical hernia (which was too small for surgery) and either of these could further compromise this. To cut a long story short my mum was advised by a non horsey alternative therapist to try calcium lactate powder. I was VERY sceptical but did some research and found it can be used in the treatment of cancer so thought must have some effect on tumours. Also seems to be taken as a calcium supplement so thought could not do too much harm. Could not find a UK stockist so ordered online from iherb 3 tubs plus shipping cost £22. I fed this at a rate of 1 tablespoon per day (recommended dose for humans) and this supply lasted approx 6 months. Within a month of being fed this sarcoid which was in a growing phase dropped off leaving a tiny pimple and has remained like this for three years now. I wouldn't have believed it if I had not seen for myself and am really sceptical about alternative therapies (was my mums horse so her decision). May not make a difference in your case and if worked for everyone would be no sarcoids. However its so inexpensive may be worth a try as you sound desparate. Sarcoid was gone within 6 weeks of first dose but used but full supply to make sure he has not had any more after that initial 6 months.
 
One thing you might want to try is a feed supplement by global herbs called sarc-x. They do a cream too. I've been told many stories of it being super successful on inoperable sarcoids including one on a mares eye that literally fell out root and all 6 weeks after the owner started feeding it. Surely it's worth one last shot? But I've heard a lot of people recommending it and having used other things in the global herbs range they're really good! They have a helpline run by vets too x
 
Perhaps its because I am a nurse but to be honest what is the fuss about? Yes the ear is unsightly but unless he's in pain or it gets infected its not too big a problem. I think you are concentrateing on the negatives and not thinking of the positives.
By the sound of it you have a nice horse, whilist the college are caring for him start looking round for someone to have him, as people have said I would start at the college first. He may need futher surgery and if that comes you will have to discuss options but if you are frank with your vet there may be a cheaper way. In the mean time I would investigate some of the remedies other people have suggested if they are cheap they may do no harm and may make you feel a bit better. If they work thats a bonus.
I bought a 17yr old TB schoolmaster for my daughter expecting him to last two years, I didn't pay a lot of money for him but I was buying what he could teach. We retired him at 21 and he was PTS last October aged 24.
Yes you have to plan ahead but I think you are being too pessimistic at this stage.
 
My mum used sarc-ex as did a few friends.. All raved about it.. Probably the fag ends that make it work :/

Thuja cream and tablets also appears to have an effect on some..
 
honetpot said:
Perhaps its because I am a nurse but to be honest what is the fuss about? Yes the ear is unsightly but unless he's in pain or it gets infected its not too big a problem. I think you are concentrateing on the negatives and not thinking of the positives.
By the sound of it you have a nice horse, whilist the college are caring for him start looking round for someone to have him, as people have said I would start at the college first. He may need futher surgery and if that comes you will have to discuss options but if you are frank with your vet there may be a cheaper way. In the mean time I would investigate some of the remedies other people have suggested if they are cheap they may do no harm and may make you feel a bit better. If they work thats a bonus.
I bought a 17yr old TB schoolmaster for my daughter expecting him to last two years, I didn't pay a lot of money for him but I was buying what he could teach. We retired him at 21 and he was PTS last October aged 24.
Yes you have to plan ahead but I think you are being too pessimistic at this stage.
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It will be a problem, last time he had it, we couldn't get a bridle or headcollar on very easy. I'm not being pessimistic, i.m being realistic. I've had it removed 3 times now. When does it become unfair on the horse. I can't just leave it growing, especially when it stops him being able to flick his ear back & fore.
 
KSR said:
My mum used sarc-ex as did a few friends.. All raved about it.. Probably the fag ends that make it work :/

Thuja cream and tablets also appears to have an effect on some..
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Tried the sarc x cream, didn't make any difference, haven't tried the supplement though
 
Not sure decide is a reason to PTS. Does the one on his ear bother him? If not I'd just leave it. If he's good to handle & ride and other than decide got clean Bill of health then I'm sure he'll sell. Agree one of students might be interested. How old is he?
 
While its so small just try putting some Zovirax cream on it ( human cold sore cream) my vet raves about it and ive got rid of several small ones with it. Brilliant stuff.
 
I dont think you should try to sell him given the ear sarcoid is coming back.

I think you should try to free loan him to a student at the college for the holidays when the college wont care for him.

If that doesnt happen or if the college dont want him once the sarcoid gets too big then I would not think you were at all a bad person to PTS. It's not as if you were doing it at the first sniff of a sarcoid and with a deteriorating situation for the horse I think it would be very reasonable.

Lots of lovely horses have to be PTS because of issues, it's very sad but it happens. I would only condemn someone who PTS because of some minor thing that was perfectly copeable with or worse still try to sell on their crocked up horse so they can get a working model as they 'cant afford to keep it' (yes they can they just have to put the crocked one that they broke before their hobby aspirations).

Good luck to you OP whatever you and vet decide.
 
Not being funny but if you're considering putting him to sleep anyway, which will cost you money, what's the issue with loaning or gifting him to an experienced home regarding sarcoids/clevelands.. I know a couple people for example, not including myself, who could be interested that do have the experience..
 
Sarcoids isn't a reason to put a horse to sleep. I've treated several on different horses with the help of my holistic vet (Tim Couzens) so they wouldn't put me off taking a horse on. What would put me off is price, because it wouldn't be possible to insure for treatment.
If it was my horse I'd want to secure his future, so I would forget selling and put him on lifetime loan, supervising that properly. I'd be concerned that if I knocked the price down too much he'd end up in the wrong place.
 
Hi

I have just read this post and it has really upset me :( I have a cbx mare with sarcoids she has at least 3 on her ear :( I have just finished a course of blood root ointment after trying everything else and failing :( they are slowly dropping off and the biggest one has just fallen off!! it has been a very slow process and she is very sensitive around that ear but the blood root seems to be defiantly helping, my mare is one in a million and i wouldnt swap her for the world sarcoids or no sarcoids (oh and she has sweet itch) some people would just disregard her but she has one amazing personality and in my eyes is worth her weight in gold

AJ xx
 
Speak to the vet and get it removed before it takes hold again, then get the calcium lactate powder into him, it sounds like good stuff.
When i look at the pics, yes he has lost a portion of his ear, but there is still a lot of it there, i do hope you will give it another go as he looks to be a nice lad.
If i had a bit more grazing id give him a home, he sounds like a nice a horse .
 
What May doll says- rather than wait for it to take hold (as I did, due to incorrect vet advice) I'd treat it asap then go from there.

Sarcoids were a deciding factor in my mare being PTS- she had other issues and a severe injury, and with the injury and the sarcoids I decided it was too much to put her through- if I treated the sarcoids at the start I dare say I'd still have her :(
 
KSR said:
Not being funny but if you're considering putting him to sleep anyway, which will cost you money, what's the issue with loaning or gifting him to an experienced home regarding sarcoids/clevelands.. I know a couple people for example, not including myself, who could be interested that do have the experience..
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it's been treated 3 times with no success. Prof knottenbelt has said that laser treatment is the only option. Its not going to be easy. Not sure how many times he should have to go through it.

Its all well and good saying give him away, but god knows where he would end up. People might seem that they mean well, but in reality it doesn't happen that way
 
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I think that there does come a point where you have to say enough is enough, he has had several treatments already and it has returned each time, so personally I'd probably avoid further expensive invasive treatments with the risk of it returning and adopt a wait and see approach.

If the sarcoid became painful then I'm afraid I would pts.

In the meantime however the zovirax suggestion might be worth trying? apparently it did clear some sarcoids and stopped the growth of others in trials.

I also wouldn't sell.
 
touchstone said:
I think that there does come a point where you have to say enough is enough, he has had several treatments already and it has returned each time, so personally I'd probably avoid further expensive invasive treatments with the risk of it returning and adopt a wait and see approach.

If the sarcoid became painful then I'm afraid I would pts.

In the meantime however the zovirax suggestion might be worth trying? apparently it did clear some sarcoids and stopped the growth of others in trials.

I also wouldn't sell.
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^^ Agree with this. It's a dangerous thing to do 'giving a horse away'. Longterm loan yes, but I would never give a way a horse with problems and would be very loathe to sell also. I would also try some alternative therapies - you have nothing to lose imo.
 
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Morning OP. I'm a bit out of kilter with this forum at the moment :(. Horses ears are very sensitive and you also need to consider the flies and maggots, the pain of the laser etc.

You have genuinely tried to fix this. The sarcoids look like they will always return - the expense of this is prohibitive. Don't sell for no money - that would be irresponsible. IMO PTS is the best option here. Sorry to be so blunt, and like I said, I am out of kilter with everyone else.
 
I understand what you're saying..

My dutch Warmblood mare was a week from being shot due to a shoulder break.. I bought her for £1 and 3 years on she's very happy and been sound over 2 years.. I have two ponies also given to me from other people not wanting them.. Had one 7 years since a foal, and the other 2 years since rising 3.. All have homes for life.. Point being not everyone is bad..

I don't envy anyone considering loaning or selling under any circumstances.. It's a game of roulette..

God knows where he will end up if you sell him either though, realistically.. It's all about providing the best solution for Squid as possible within your parameters.. Whether persevere yourself, rehome or pts.. Your horse, your choice to make..

My heart goes out to you both x
 
Tbh I wouldn't buy him as I won't touch horses with sarcoids due to 2 off my friends having so many problems with theirs.
It's a hard one but if it was me I would put his price low to sell
 
scarymare said:
Morning OP. I'm a bit out of kilter with this forum at the moment :(. Horses ears are very sensitive and you also need to consider the flies and maggots, the pain of the laser etc.

You have genuinely tried to fix this. The sarcoids look like they will always return - the expense of this is prohibitive. Don't sell for no money - that would be irresponsible. IMO PTS is the best option here. Sorry to be so blunt, and like I said, I am out of kilter with everyone else.
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Nope, you aren't out of kilter with me. :)
 
Iv got 2 horses given to me and know off people who have free horses. All are well cared for.
There is good homes out there if you give them away you just gotta look
 
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