Low severity

Aural plaques (Ear papillomas)

Aural plaques are equine ear papillomas — raised, depigmented, hyperkeratotic plaques on the concave pinna (inner ear), associated with equine papillomavirus (EcPV). They are not sarcoid (a bovine papillomavirus tumour), not warts of the body, and not ringworm (a fungal infection). A photograph cannot diagnose aural plaques. A still cannot tell aural plaques from an ear sarcoid. Diagnosis is a vet exam. The skin scan is a first look at the ear, not a verdict that your horse has aural plaques, and there is no aural-plaques scanner.

Symptoms to watch for

Raised, pale, grey, or crusty plaques on the concave pinna — the inner surface of the ear

Rough, hyperkeratotic, or cauliflower-like patches that may appear in both ears

An ear that is fly-bitten, itchy, or that the horse resists having handled

Depigmented or scaly plaques that sit on the inner ear, not on the body or muzzle

A horse that head-shakes or is ear-shy when flies land on the plaques — a reason to call the vet, not a photo verdict

A change in size or surface of an ear plaque is a reason to book a vet, not a photo verdict

Common causes

Equine papillomavirus (EcPV) associated with ear papillomas — not bovine papillomavirus (sarcoid), not warts of the body, and not ringworm
Plaques on the concave pinna (inner ear) — location is a clue, not a diagnosis
Fly irritation of the inner ear that can make existing plaques itch or bleed
Individual susceptibility; plaques can persist for years once they appear
Not sarcoid (a BPV tumour), not warts of the body, and not ringworm (fungal) — a still cannot tell aural plaques from an ear sarcoid, and those can look similar and still need a vet

Prevention

Watch the inner ear for raised, pale, or crusty plaques, and book a vet rather than waiting for a photo guess
Keep flies down around the ears — fly irritation can make plaques itch, but that is not a diagnosis
Do not pick, scrape, burn, or apply a caustic from a web article or a scan result
Do not treat a photo, an ear plaque, or a scan result as a diagnosis
Ear photos can help you and your vet track the inner ear over time — they do not confirm or rule out aural plaques, and they cannot tell aural plaques from an ear sarcoid

What to do

1
Book a vet visit for raised, pale, or crusty plaques on the inner ear. Diagnosis is a vet exam, not a photograph.
2
Photograph the ear in good light and keep it on the horse's record so you and the vet can see change over time — a first look to share, not a diagnosis.
3
Do not pick, scrape, burn, ligate, or apply a cream from a photo guess — a still cannot tell aural plaques from an ear sarcoid.
4
Use a skin scan only as a first look at the ear to share, not as an aural-plaques test. There is no aural-plaques scanner.
5
If aural plaques (ear papillomas, EcPV) are confirmed, follow the plan your vet prescribes. Do not start a treatment protocol from a photo.
6
Keep the vet on the same page. Share what you see; do not treat a photo as a verdict.

When to call the vet

Pick up the phone if…

Schedule a vet visit if you find raised, pale, or crusty plaques on the inner ear (concave pinna), or if the horse is ear-shy or flies bother the ear. Call sooner if a plaque is growing, ulcerating, bleeding, or the horse is dull or off feed. A photograph cannot diagnose aural plaques. A still cannot tell aural plaques from an ear sarcoid. Diagnosis is a vet exam. Aural plaques are equine ear papillomas (EcPV) — not sarcoid, not warts of the body, and not ringworm. The skin scan is a first look at the ear, not a verdict, and there is no aural-plaques scanner.

Check the skin before it spreads

Scan the skin in HorseCare. 5 free scans this month, then Pro.

Scan the skin

5 free scans this month, then Pro. Scans run in the HorseCare app.

Educational content only. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.