Moderate

Warts (Equine papilloma)

Warts are equine papilloma from equine papillomavirus — usually small, cauliflower-like or flat lumps on the muzzle, lips, nose, or around the mouth in young horses (also called grass warts). They are usually self-limiting in youngsters; they can persist or look like something else. They are not sarcoid (a different tumor, not a wart), not aural plaques (inner ear, papillomavirus but a different presentation), not melanoma (grey-horse pigment), not ringworm (fungal), and not proud flesh (exuberant granulation). A photograph cannot diagnose warts. A still cannot tell warts from sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh. Diagnosis is a vet exam. The skin scan is a first look at the lump/skin to share with a vet, not a wart test, and there is no wart scanner.

Symptoms to watch for

Small, cauliflower-like or flat lumps on the muzzle, lips, nose, or around the mouth — the look is a clue, not a still-photo verdict

Often multiple lumps on the muzzle in a young horse (grass warts) — age and place are clues, not a diagnosis

A lump that can look like sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh — a still cannot tell them apart

Lumps that persist or look like something else — a reason to book a vet, not a photo verdict

Usually self-limiting in youngsters; persistence or a lookalike is a vet visit, not a photograph

A change in size, number, or surface is a reason to book a vet, not a photo verdict

Common causes

Equine papillomavirus (equine papilloma), usually on the muzzle, lips, nose, or around the mouth in young horses — also called grass warts
Usually self-limiting in youngsters; can persist or look like something else — the history is a clue, not a diagnosis
Not sarcoid (a different tumor, not a wart), not aural plaques (inner ear, papillomavirus but a different presentation), not melanoma (grey-horse pigment), not ringworm (fungal), and not proud flesh (exuberant granulation)
A still cannot tell warts from sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh — those need a vet

Prevention

Watch the muzzle, lips, nose, and mouth for new lumps, especially in young horses, and book a vet rather than waiting on a photo
Do not pick, ligate, burn, or treat a lump from a web article or a scan result
A youngster's lump that is usually self-limiting still needs a vet if it persists or looks like something else
Do not treat a photo, a muzzle lump, or a scan result as a diagnosis
Skin photos can help you and the vet look at the lump and skin — they do not confirm or rule out warts, and they cannot tell warts from sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh

What to do

1
Book a vet visit for new lumps on the muzzle, lips, nose, or around the mouth. Diagnosis is a vet exam — not a photograph.
2
Do not pick, squeeze, ligate, or apply a caustic to a lump from a photo. A still cannot tell a wart from sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh.
3
Photograph the lump in good light, close and from the side, and keep the photos on the horse's record so you and the vet can see change over time — a first look to share, not a diagnosis.
4
Use a skin scan only as a first look at the lump/skin to share, not as a wart test. There is no wart scanner.
5
If warts (equine papilloma) 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 lumps on the muzzle, lips, nose, or around the mouth. Call sooner if they persist, multiply, or look like something else — lookalikes (sarcoid, melanoma) are serious, and that is a vet call, not a photo diagnosis. A photograph cannot diagnose warts. A still cannot tell warts from sarcoid, aural plaques, melanoma, ringworm, or proud flesh. Diagnosis is a vet exam. The skin scan is a first look at the lump/skin, not a wart test, and there is no wart scanner.

Get a first look at the lump

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.