Would you buy a horse with sarcoids?

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R.A.H

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There is horse im interested but he has a sarcoid in his ear about the size of a sprout, sorry couldn't think of anything else to compare it too. They are asking £3500, he's a cleveland bay, 6 yr old. He's still very green & not done alot. Ive seen a picture of him when he's 3 & he didnt have it then. Is the price abit high for a horse with sarcoids?
 
Personally I wouldn't buy a horse with sarcoids, when there are so many horses out there without (although I appreciate any horse can develop them at any time). Certainly wouldn't pay £3,500 for a green 6yo with a sarcoid, sorry :o
 
I don't think it's entirely fair to judge the price of a horse because it has a sarcoid, in a lot of cases they can been kept at bay or sucessfully removed but again you have to be prepaired for further expence in the future.
I'd look at this way, is the horse a reasonable price if it didn't have the sarcoid? if yes then you should go and have a look.
Personally I'd avoid buying a horse with sarcoids but having said that, there is more important things to worry about or worse things than the odd sarcoid, so long as you don't mind paying for the treatment and it giving you the odd headache sorting it out, plus you can always make a lower offer. :)
But I'd be temped to look around at other horses in the same price bracket that doesn't have any sarcoids though.

A sarcoid that is the size of a sprout would question me as to why they had not had it removed or tried to treat it in the past, perhaps they have, certainly something you'd need to ask about.
 
Probably not. The thing with sarcoids is that you can never tell how they will develop. I've known a horse who had one, had it removed, and four years later there is no sign of any further problems. I also know a horse who, despite the best efforts of the owner and his vet, has a girth area that is covered in sarcoids. He is not only unrideable, but also often in discomfort as they periodically become raw and bleed.

If you really like the horse (and I LOVE Cleveland bays so I can imagine why you might!) you could consult your vet about it. But I think he /she would probably advise you against his horse.
 
No way. When I bought mine, he a had a small pea sized one and then got another and I ended up paying out to get them removed. I live in fear that more may appear and obviously he is excluded on his insurance now for this.

Re the price, regardless of lineage/breeding/potential, no way would I pay that for a green horse with a sarcoid.
 
When I was looking for my horse I came across quite a few advertised that sounded great in everyway but had sarcoids. These were horses that were pretty accomplished at whatever they had turned their hooves to. I didn't bother going to see them as I wouldn't buy however there were some real superstars that were advertised at £1000 to £1500 when really they should have been nearer the £5000 mark. £3500 is way too much, I think they would be lucky to get £1000 for him. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
 
I've been to see him & he's lovely, really nice temperment, quite in the stable which I like because I love to spend hours just grooming & practising plaiting etc. He was an angel on the roads, stood as still as rock to get on & off. Its just the sarcoid that lets him down. Didnt see any others on him anywhere. I asked his owners why it hadn't been treated & they said because they had a broodmare with one & had hers removed & then she got a load more & they seemed bigger then before. I really love the cleveland bay. I just can't seem to find any pure bred geldings (dont do mares!).
 
If you love him that much, ask a vets opinion. You won't be able to ensure against an existing condition but you can get an idea of how much it would cost to remove, possible complications, likelihood of recurring etc.
 
If you are after a cleveland bay gelding, then tbh it isn't like there are an awful lot to choose from! I would get your vets opinion. A sprout isn't exactly tiny and if I were you I would want it treating as there is evidence to suggest that they can be transmitted by flys. I am currently having my mare's sarcoid treated, it is a pig of a thing and I feel awful that it is causing her discomfort. However, I would buy her again in a heartbeat as she is beyond 100% in every other way and has the most wonderful character. If you are happy with what your vet suggests (and the amount it might cost), then I would suggest making an offer, less the proposed vets fees. Seems a fair place to start, though I suspect you won't get him for a rock bottom price as although he is green, as you mentioned yourself he is good to do, and they aren't the most common breed at all!
 
glosgirl said:
P.S. just seen the link, he is gorgeous, such presence!!! (I am a sucker for a cleveland bay!)
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I never used to be but for some reason they have really took my fancy. They seem to be a good solid allrounder kinda horse.
Thanks for all your replies, I will def get a vets opinion. I will let you all know what happens.
Thanks
 
I am another no go with a sarcoid im afraid, i had a tb with one years ago on the centre of his chest. It used to periodically crack and weep, couldnt keep any cream on it as it just slid off, (i would imagine you would have similar problems treating CB's one on ear too). Flies used to love it and i couldnt even cover it as rugs rubbed it. He eventually developed more under his belly, just where the surcingles go. Doh! He was also a bit crazy and i always wondered if the sarcoids affected him deeper than just on the skin as who knows how deep they go or what affect they have on the body, obviously its something in their system.
 
Personally I wouldn't. Mainly because you would never get insurance to cover it and also because, at 6, the possibility is that you might eventually want to sell him and other buyers are just like me! If you could get him for a lot less money then it might be worth a gamble with the knowledge that it will probably cause problems.
However, when I bought my horse, who was 5 at the time, he had sarcoids. It was not picked up on a 5 stage vetting (he was trace clipped in December and the sarcoids were on the places that weren't clipped so buried in hair!). I discovered them a few days later when I clipped him fully. The vet came and sent off samples to Liverpool, it was confirmed as sarcoids, and we were waiting for the Liverpool cream to arrive when I noticed that they were disappearing. Within about a month they were all gone, and 2 1/2 years later have not yet re-appeared. the vet said that they can occasionally be caused by stress and that as he had been shipped from Ireland and moved around a bit that may have been the trigger.
 
They are asking too much, offer a lower amount or ask for them to be removed-you can have pictures them sent to liverpool for a consult on what best course of action to take liverpool cream, leave or why , my horse has two tiny ones they have not changed shape or anything he has had a lameness issue for last week hes ok now i bought him as a three year old hes four now and i knew him before i bought him he was my perfect horse i would have bought him if he had them then,but had them checked out and put in lower offer, and for the record i have people who know him ,and he has sarcoids have wanted to buy him if i sell so it really depends on who wants your horse , how good he is so , put in a lower offer if hes the one for you, and get the vet to sent of pix to liverpool for advice .Good luck and update when you can .
 
Tass said:
the vet said that they can occasionally be caused by stress and that as he had been shipped from Ireland and moved around a bit that may have been the trigger.
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That is extremely interesting and not something about which I had not thought. Mine was also 5 when I bought him and recently shipped from Ireland then left in a field. He was covered in bot eggs and quite nervy. Sarcoids are linked to a depressed immune system, as well as flies, so quite possibly the stress of the move and it being summer may all be related. Food for thought, indeed.
 
Ive had my horse almost 6 years and last year,he developed a sarcoid,its been treated with Blood Root Cream. Id buy him again in a heartbeat.
That cleveland bay is gorgeous.
 
sharon1959 said:
Ive had my horse almost 6 years and last year,he developed a sarcoid,its been treated with Blood Root Cream.
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Where did you get it from? And had your vet ever heard of it? Has it improved the sarcoid?

Sorry for all of the questions: I am the world's most paranoid horse mummy and am forever researching 'cures', even though my boy's seem to have gone. I've heard great things about blood root.
 
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