Angleberry - a small benign tumour found on a horse or pony

Definition: Angleberry is an old term used by horse owners to describe what vets now more commonly call a Papilloma. It is a small raised benign tumour or warty growth which may be single or in clusters of multiple warts.

Although an angleberry is a papilloma it is not a sarcoid although it is frequently but incorrectly referred to as one. Angleberries are warts, but sarcoids are not warts.

Angleberries on horses are caused by a virus known as a papovavirus.

An angleberry is mainly found on a young horse or pony and is mostly situated on the lips, mouth, teats and udder and occasionally elsewhere on the body.

In appearance an angleberry, or papilloma, is usuallly whitish grey and varies from 3 millimetres to several centimetres in diameter.

Generally an equine angleberry is of little significance, but they can be unsightly and cosmetically undesirable on a horse.

Usually no treatment is necessary as immunity develops as the horse matures and regression occurs spontaneously. Eventually the warts will drop off.

However there are creams available from equine vets which will "burn" the papilloma out chemically - these should be used with great care.

Larger papillomas may be removed surgically under anaesthetic or by laser treatment - which can be expensive.

In the past farmers used to use"angleberry ointments" which contained arsenic! Modern equine treatments can cause burning if they come into contact with your skin.