Q.   I have a yearling that has warts in her ear. They have grown so much that the mass almost fills her whole ear. She will not let us touch it, which is a problem for her halter training. Will the warts eventually go away, or should we have them removed?

—Steve

A. Warts are caused by the Papilloma virus and commonly appear on the face and ears of horses. They are primarily a cosmetic blemish and do not typically cause a health problem. The Papilloma virus is very contagious, so precautions to prevent transmission are important. Young horses are more prone to getting warts because their immune systems are immature. The normal course of disease is about six to nine months, during which time most cases resolve spontaneously. Good health management with parasite control and nutrition seems to lessen complications.

There is some evidence that surgical removal or debulking might stimulate the immune system to clear up the warts more quickly. Warts can also be frozen (be careful in areas prone to white scarring) or debrided with a laser. Removal or debulking might help with the apparent tenderness or discomfort in your yearling