Sarcoid Insights

Evidence based answers to common questions about sarcoids in horses

Can Sarcoids Be Left Untreated?

Stephen Fennell

Published on: 20/04/2026

Short answer Yes—sarcoids can sometimes be left untreated, but only with active monitoring and informed judgement. In many cases, doing nothing initially is reasonable. In others, it allows the condition to become significantly more difficult to manage. Why this is not a simple yes-or-no decision

Questions and Answers

Are Sarcoids in Horses Life-Threatening?

Stephen Fennell

Published on: 14/04/2026

Short answer Sarcoids are rarely life-threatening, but they can become welfare-limiting and, in some cases, functionally debilitating. What the evidence shows Equine sarcoids are locally invasive fibroblastic skin tumours associated with bovine papillomavirus (BPV-1 and BPV-2). They do not metastasise in the classical cancer sense, which is why they are not typically fatal.

Questions and Answers