mulesuk

Now another question:

Currently I have got cows on my land. They will go as soon as I get the new members of my soon to be extended family (mules). Do I have to be concerned reg Equine Sarkoid and if yes, is there anything I can do to prevent that?

Tina

Do you mean sarcoids? If so, I have been informed by my own vet that the lumps you often see on cattle aren't transferrable to horses. He said they were something different to sarcoids on horses.

The jury is still out as to what exactly causes sarcoids, and how to treat them effectively. My horse got them after he went through a period of extreme stress. Some were flat, bald patches around his nose and chest, and he also developed the common 'button mushroom' shaped one under his belly.
I put him on a high protein diet along with a supplement designed to boost a compromised immune system, and over the course of the year all the sarcoids have gone.

I don't think there is any proof but in my experience...

We have imported ranch horses from South America and a lot of the ones that have been working cattle have occult sarcoids.

Mules have a very high incidence of sarcoids (something like 8% of the population?)

Personally I would be more worried about ring worm coming from cattle?

Would there be anything I can do to prevent it? Or should I just tackle the huge piles in the field and possibly spray them? Any advice?

Don't look for trouble and you won't find it
I've never heard of this....think I'll go out and shoot the zebu just in case

It is believed that flies can be involved in the transfer of sarcoids to horses from cattle but there is no proof. Personally I have no problem/worries about ringworm. My horses and donkeys, me and mine, have all had it with no ill effects and there is a degree of imunity afterwards. It mainly looks unsightly for a while. Sarcoids can cause problems though is they are positioned as to be rubbed by tack, or on the face and get rubbed by the animal. If you have a horse/donk/mule with sarcoids NEVER use aloe vera as it causes them to mah hoosively grow. Great if you are wanting wounds to heal - BAD if you want to keep sarcoids small.
I have cattle and equines, including one with sarcoids and see no reason to part with one or the other.

Thanks for all these answers. Why do I worry - you are right: Let's start with buying some mules first and then worry later

Thanks so much!!!

Tina