Sarcoids are, unfortunately, one of the most common tumors horses can get. Even though they’re non-malignant, they can spread, grow, and become a real nuisance—especially depending on where they show up. Some interfere with tack, some get irritated easily, and almost all of them are stubborn and tricky to deal with.
Today, I want to share a story that’s pretty personal to me—and that might make you think a little differently about your horse’s nutrition.
When It All Started
Tucker, my grey Appendix Quarter Heart Horse, first showed signs of a sarcoid on his chest around 2013, when he was about 11 years old. At first, it was so small I barely noticed it. For the longest time I actually thought it started in 2014! Looking back at photos now, I can spot it — but at the time, it wasn’t even on my radar. Over the next few years, it slowly grew larger.
By 2017, it had become a bit of an eyesore. I would try to angle photos to hide it or edit it out afterward. It wasn’t causing Tucker pain, so my vet and I agreed that aggressive treatment wasn’t necessary. I tried a handful of topical remedies, hoping for improvement, but nothing made a real difference. In the summertime, it was especially annoying: flies loved the bare patch of skin, and anything I applied would melt right off in the heat.
At that point, I figured this was just part of life with Tucker — an ugly little thing we had to live with.
A Lucky Break: Discovering Omega Horseshine
In late 2018, I got connected with Omega Fields through Instagram and decided to try their product, Omega Horseshine. At the time, I wasn’t even thinking about the sarcoid. I was more interested in the overall benefits for gut health and coat shine—especially since Tucker was getting older.
But something amazing happened.
In early 2019, I noticed Tucker’s sarcoid seemed…different. The lumpiness under the skin flattened out. Tiny little hairs started sprouting up through the previously bald patch. As he shed out that spring, it became obvious — the sarcoid was shrinking.
By the end of the year, the ugly, stubborn sarcoid that had been growing on his chest for over five years was completely gone.
I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, it took me months to trust what I was seeing.
Why Omega-3s Matter So Much
While science doesn’t know everything about what causes sarcoids, what we do know is that the immune system plays a major role in how the body handles them. Omega-3 fatty acids, like the kind found abundantly in flaxseed, are crucial for healthy immune function. They help stabilize cell membranes, promote healing of existing damage, and prevent new cellular injury.
By adding a high-quality omega-3 supplement to Tucker’s diet, it seems like we gave his body the extra support it needed to finally clear the sarcoid on its own — something years of topical treatments couldn’t do.
The Test That Sealed the Deal
If you’re skeptical, you’re not alone — I was too. In 2021, after a full year of no sarcoid in sight, I decided to try a different flax-based supplement. I figured maybe any flax would do the trick, and someone had convinced me there might be something even better out there.
Spoiler alert: I was wrong.
Within just a few months, I noticed a change — the sarcoid started creeping back. I panicked, switched Tucker back to Omega Horseshine, and thankfully, after a couple of months, the sarcoid disappeared again.
That experience convinced me once and for all: not all flax supplements are created equal. In the years since, his sarcoid has popped in just barely during times of stress or sickness. I’ve always simply added an extra scoop of Horseshine to his daily buckets until the stressor is gone, and watched the sarcoid completely vanish again! It is now April of 2025, and Tucker has a perfectly white chest which was wonderful for the wedding photos we took earlier this month!
Why the Flax Source Matters
One thing I learned through this journey is that where flaxseed is grown and how it’s processed makes a huge difference. Omega Fields uses flaxseed sourced from northern Canada, where the short, intense growing season leads to seeds with a higher natural omega-3 content. On top of that, they’re extremely selective — rejecting lower-quality seed that other companies might still use.
Plus, Omega Horseshine isn’t just plain ground flax — it’s a carefully balanced blend designed to maximize the bioavailability and benefits of the flaxseed itself. I think the combo of quality & supportive ingredients is what has made this supplement work when other (bigger) name brand supplements did nothing.
The Bottom Line
I never would have guessed that something as simple as adding the right omega-3 supplement could have such a profound impact on Tucker’s health. But seeing his sarcoid disappear — not once, but twice — sealed it for me.
If you’re dealing with a sarcoid, or if you just want to give your horse’s immune system and overall health a little extra support, it might be worth looking at what’s missing in their diet. Sometimes, small changes make a world of difference.
For Tucker, Omega Horseshine was that difference. And I’m forever grateful we found it.
If you’d like to give this supplement a try, their autoship options will get you the best deal, especially if you can buy the 45lb size! If you’d like to order once, you can use my code “NANTUCKET” to save 10% on your order. You can click this link to go straight to the Horseshine page! I also love their treats, Omega Nibblers, because they don’t have added sugar and are perfect to stuff in your pockets. They don’t crumble, but are still easy to snap into smaller pieces. I always bring as many as I can carry when we go out!
