This week, we are taking a closer look at equine sarcoids. 

Equine sarcoids are a common issue that can be concerning for horse owners. These skin growths are neither serious nor life-threatening, but they can be unsightly and sometimes tricky to manage. They tend to vary in appearance and location, and in some cases, can go unnoticed until they become more visibly pronounced.

What Are Equine Sarcoids?

Sarcoids are skin tumors that account for 36 to 40% of equine tumors. They can be flat, raised, crusty, weepy, or ulcerated, and can grow and spread at different rates. There are two main types: dry sarcoids and ulcerated (weepy and inflamed) sarcoids. They are generally benign and don’t spread to internal organs, but they can cause serious problems if they obstruct bodily functions like urination or defecation.

Conventional vs. Holistic Approaches

With traditional veterinary treatments, which include cutting, freezing, or surgically removing sarcoids, recurrence is common. Holistic practitioners aim to understand why the sarcoids appeared in the first place. Removing growths will not solve the internal imbalance that allowed them to develop.

Potential Causes and Triggers

Sarcoids, which may originate from the bovine papillomavirus, behave like viruses, flaring up with stress, toxicity, and nutritional deficiencies. Horses with compromised immune systems due to anxiety, malnutrition, or chronic stress are more prone to developing sarcoids. Events like moving farms, losing a herd mate, accidents, poor-quality hay, or vaccines can act as triggers.

Chemical Toxicity and Vaccines

Sarcoids could result from exposure to chemicals. Sprays on hay, some feeds, and vaccines can attack horses’ immune systems. When their immune system is under strain, dormant viruses can activate, allowing sarcoids to spread rapidly. Sarcoids often tend to appear soon after vaccinations, especially in compromised horses.

Skin as an Elimination Organ

The skin acts as a pathway for the body to release toxins and reflect internal imbalances. When sarcoids appear on the skin, they are often signs of an internal issue.

Malabsorption and Nutritional Gaps

A horse may seem to be getting good nutrition, yet still be malnourished if it does not absorb nutrients properly. Ulcers or chronic nervous system stress can interfere with their nutrient uptake and contribute to a weakened immune system.

Environmental and Age Factors

At around 15, horses often start showing signs of conditions that have been building silently for years. Chronic stress, aging, and accumulated exposure to harmful substances can contribute to immune dysfunction and tumor development.

The Role of Detoxification and the Liver

The liver detoxifies chemicals, medications, and environmental toxins. If it is overburdened, the immune system suffers. Many horses show signs of liver strain if they have been on long-term medication or exposed to repeated vaccinations and chemical-laden feeds.

Immune System and Pathogen Load

Chronic issues like thrush, scratches, or recurrent parasite infections indicate a compromised immune system. Parasites, bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi often coexist, increasing the toxic load and making it harder for horses to maintain internal balance.

Using Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional therapy is a preferred holistic strategy. It involves using single nutrients in specific doses to clean up toxicity, correct imbalances, and support immune health. Antioxidants like selenium and vitamin C can help to detoxify chemicals and support liver function.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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This week, we continue where we left off last week, exploring equine eye conditions through a holistic lens.

A holistic approach focuses primarily on optimizing the diet and lifestyle of horses, providing everything they need to support their overall health and maintain healthy eyes.

Long-Term Health Issues Often Begin with Deficiencies

Chronic deficiencies, prolonged stress, and toxin exposure are often the root causes of long-term health issues in horses. Those problems develop slowly, sometimes taking years to show symptoms. Even though genetics may be an underlying factor, nutrition is crucial in determining health outcomes.

Protecting the Eyes of Prey Animals

Eyesight is critical for horses to feel safe. Vision loss increases their anxiety and vulnerability. Keeping blind or visually impaired horses calm, secure, and well-supported within a herd can help to reduce their stress and improve their quality of life.

Antioxidants Play a Crucial Role in Prevention

Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, support immune function and detox systems, and protect the sensitive eye tissues. Even without eye symptoms, improved nutrition supports clearer and healthier eyes. A targeted supplement plan should always match the specific needs of each horse.

Selenium: An Underrated Powerhouse

Selenium deficiency is common in horses, affecting their coat, muscles, metabolism, and more. Selenium indirectly supports the eyes by boosting antioxidant defenses, especially when paired with vitamin E. While it is not an eye-specific nutrient, selenium does contribute to overall equine resilience.

Vitamin E is Essential and Often Deficient

Vitamin E is often lacking in hay-fed horses. Vitamin E protects the tissues from oxidative damage and plays a key role in eye health and detox support. High doses may be required to correct deficiencies in horses, especially for performance or aging horses.

The Right Dosage and Timing Matter

Too many antioxidants at once can overwhelm the body. Start with one or two at low doses and monitor progress over several weeks. Horses with autoimmune issues, like uveitis, need especially careful and gradual supplementation.

Zinc: The Surprise Ally for Eye Health

Zinc supports metabolism, thyroid function, liver health, and immunity. It also helps with weepy eyes and visual clarity, likely due to its high concentration in ocular tissue and role in processing light. Zinc works well with vitamin A to support vision.

Be Cautious and Responsive with Zinc

Not all horses need zinc. Try using low doses of about 150 mg elemental zinc in an organic form and observe. If there is no visible improvement within 6–8 weeks, zinc might not be the right solution. 

Beta Carotene: A Natural Source of Eye Support

Beta carotene, found in fresh forage and colorful foods like carrots, supports vision and immune health. It converts to vitamin A, which helps with light processing. 

Forage-based diets naturally provide more beta carotene than hay.

Support Through Food Whenever Possible

Whole foods and high-quality forage offer the best long-term nutritional support. While supplements are valuable, a varied, nutrient-dense diet reduces dependence on pills and powders and supports holistic, sustainable health.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

This week, we are focusing on eye health in horses.

Eye conditions consistently rank among the most common and concerning issues reported by horse owners. With vision being such a crucial aspect of the well-being and safety of horses, owners must gain a holistic understanding of equine eye conditions and learn how to manage them responsibly and effectively.

Why Eye Issues Matter

Eye problems in horses are often a clue pointing to deeper health issues. Symptoms like weepy eyes, swelling, or more serious conditions like uveitis and conjunctivitis sometimes show up alongside other imbalances in the horse’s health. Holistically speaking, the eyes can give us clues about what is happening inside the body. So when a horse has an eye problem, it is often part of a bigger picture.

Looking Beyond the Eyes

Treating the eyes with drops or targeted supplements often fails because the root cause is unresolved. Look at the whole horse instead of isolating the eye as the only problem, as chronic eye issues can be a sign of inflammation elsewhere, and are often linked to conditions like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or a weak immune system. Addressing those imbalances can result in unexpected improvements in eye health.

The Limitations of a Symptom-Focused Approach

The eyes are generally the most visible part of a broader inflammatory picture. Holistic care means reducing inflammation and supporting overall health rather than treating isolated symptoms.

The Importance of Vision in Horses

Compromised eye health in a horse can increase its vulnerability within its environment and affect its ability to function within the herd. Horses have 350-degree vision, with only small blind spots directly in front and behind them. Their eyes are set in a position to protect them by detecting threats, making vision a key component of their survival. 

Prey vs Predator Vision

As prey animals, horses have eyes on the sides of their heads, while humans, as predators, have forward-facing eyes. That difference creates a natural tension in our relationship with horses. When we acknowledge that, we can modify our behavior to become less threatening and build trust.

Color and Light Sensitivity

Horses see blue and green more distinctly than red, and respond more to the vibrational energy of colors than to the specific shades. Their night vision is excellent, but they need more time to adjust between light and dark areas. So it is essential to be patient and mindful during those transitions.

Emotional and Environmental Triggers

Much like laminitic horses can experience flare-ups during periods of stress, horses with eye vulnerabilities may develop eye inflammation in response to vaccinations, dietary changes, environmental shifts, or emotional stressors. These episodes are not random. They reveal underlying weaknesses that require attention.

The Liver-Eye Connection

There is a link between liver health and eye conditions. Detoxification and liver support are essential when treating recurring eye issues. Improving liver and gut health can lead to clearer eyes, better digestion, fewer foot issues, and stronger immunity.

Individual Sensitivities and Triggers

Pay attention to what sets off flare-ups in your horse. It could be seasonal grass, certain types of hay, or even temperature changes. Those patterns can reveal underlying sensitivities and guide you toward more targeted support.

Consistency and Commitment

Managing chronic or recurring eye issues requires consistent care and a committed health program. Rather than reacting to the eye symptoms alone, proactive support of the overall health is the key to preventing flare-ups and supporting their recovery.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.