Why do my horse’s pasterns look inflamed and flaky all year round?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse’s pasterns look inflamed, flaky or crusty all year round, mallenders or sallenders are a common possibility. These are often seen as thickened, scaly skin in the bend of the fetlock or behind the knee, but other skin problems can look similar, so it’s worth checking the details rather than assuming it’s one thing.

In many horses, the problem seems to flare with mud, sweat, clipping, friction or sensitive skin, but persistent changes can also have more than one cause. A careful look at the skin, turnout conditions and grooming routine usually gives the best clues.

Things To Check

1. Check exactly where the flakes and inflammation are. Mallenders usually affects the front of the hind legs, while sallenders is more often seen behind the forelegs.

2. Look for redness, thickened skin, scabs, broken hair, heat, swelling or oozing, as these can suggest the area is more irritated than it first appears.

3. Notice whether it gets worse after muddy turnout, sweating, clipping, bandaging or heavy grooming.

4. Check whether your horse seems bothered by the area, for example if they stamp, rub, lift the leg or resent having it touched.

5. Think about diet, condition and overall skin health, especially if there are dry patches elsewhere or a history of skin sensitivity.

6. Look at the surrounding environment for damp bedding, mud, dirt build-up or anything that may be keeping the skin wet or dirty.

7. Make a note of whether it is one leg or several, and whether the pattern has changed over time.

Common Causes

Mallenders and sallenders are a common cause of these flaky, inflamed patches, especially when the skin is thickened and repeatedly irritated.

Friction, mud, sweat and repeated washing can also make the area look worse, particularly if the skin barrier is already dry or sensitive.

Less commonly, bacterial or fungal skin issues, mites, allergies or other ongoing skin irritation can create a similar look, so it’s sensible not to assume the cause from appearance alone.

What To Do

Keep the area as clean and dry as you reasonably can without over-washing it. Gentle, regular grooming can help remove loose dirt and hair, but avoid harsh scrubbing if the skin is sore.

Try to notice patterns and keep a simple record of when it flares, what the weather has been like, and whether turnout, exercise or grooming seem to trigger it. That can make it easier to work out what is aggravating the skin.

If the pasterns are muddy, sweaty or dirty, use a calm, consistent cleaning routine and dry the area well afterwards. Reducing repeated irritation is often more useful than trying different approaches every few days.

If the problem is persisting through the year, it may help to review turnout, stable hygiene and grooming methods with a vet or an experienced horse professional, especially if the skin is becoming thicker or more uncomfortable.

Products That May Help

A gentle coat and skin washing routine may be useful when you’re trying to manage flaky or dirty pastern skin without making it more irritated.

Shampoos & Washes

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