FAQ – Summer Sores, Habronemiasis

If your horse has a circular wound on the leg, sheath, penis, or lips (or really anywhere on the body), it could be a summer sore.

Please have a look at these articles on summer sore identification, treatment, and prevention:

Please ring your vet for their favorite summer sore concoction. The principles of a summer sore ointment include: steroids, antibacterials, and a dewormer.

https://aaep.org/horsehealth/summer-sores

https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/summer-sores-28596

If you have a circular lesion on the lips and you live in the Western United States, especially Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Texas or surrounding states, please alert your veterinarian as these lesions can mimic Vesicular Stomatitis, a reportable but treatable condition. See this article for more information on VS: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/vesicular-stomatitis-horses

If the lesions do not respond to normal summer sore therapy quickly, please have your vet examine as other causes such as sarcoid may be present.