Why is my horse sensitive when I touch the back of its legs?
Share This Guide
Read time: 3 minutes
Overview
If your horse is sensitive when you touch the back of its legs, it could be due to skin irritation, scabs, soreness, mud-related skin changes or a problem such as mallenders and sallenders. It’s worth checking the area carefully, because horses often react to discomfort before the skin looks obviously worse.
Things To Check
1. Notice exactly where the sensitivity is. The back of the legs can mean the lower legs, the back of the knees, or the area behind the hocks.
2. Look for scabs, hair loss, redness, flaking, cracked skin or any discharge.
3. Feel whether the skin is warm, swollen or more tender than the same area on the other leg.
4. Check whether the horse is worse after muddy turnout, hard exercise, clipping, grooming or washing.
5. See if the horse is brushing, knocking or interfering with the area when moving.
6. Check for signs of rubbing from boots, bandages, tack or mud caked around the legs.
7. Look at the horse’s overall condition, including whether there are similar skin changes elsewhere on the body.
Common Causes
One common cause is skin irritation from mud, damp conditions, rubbing or repeated washing and grooming. Some horses develop dry, flaky or crusted skin on the back of the legs, which can be associated with mallenders and sallenders.
It can also be simple soreness from knocks, interference or pressure from boots or bandages. In other cases, minor cuts, insects, dermatitis or other skin irritation may make the horse react when that area is touched.
Less commonly, swelling, infection or a deeper problem under the skin may be involved, especially if the area is hot, painful or the horse is reluctant to bear weight normally.
What To Do
Keep the area clean and dry, and avoid aggressive scrubbing if the skin is already sore. If there are scabs or crusts, soften them gently rather than picking at them, and keep a simple note of when the sensitivity seems worse.
Review turnout, mud exposure, leg washing and any boots or bandages that could be rubbing. If the horse is very sensitive, it’s usually sensible to pause anything that seems to make the area worse until you know more.
Take a few photos over several days if the skin is changing. That can help you see whether things are settling or getting more inflamed.
When To Contact A Vet
Contact your vet if the area becomes hot, swollen or increasingly painful, if there’s discharge, bleeding or spreading skin damage, or if the horse is lame, distressed or clearly getting worse.
You should also get advice if the sensitivity keeps returning, the skin isn’t improving with basic care, or you’re seeing thick crusting and hair loss that could fit mallenders or sallenders.
Products That May Help
If the skin is getting sore from washing, grooming or general coat care, a gentle wash can be useful as part of a sensible routine while you keep an eye on the area.
Related Questions
What is the difference between mallenders and sallenders?
Should I wash sore lower legs on a horse?
When should I stop using boots or bandages?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.