Understanding Mallenders and Sallenders

Mallenders and Sallenders are common skin conditions affecting heavily feathered horses. While they are not usually serious in themselves, they can become painful and lead to secondary infections if left unmanaged.

Understanding Mallenders and Sallenders

Many horse owners may never have heard of Mallenders and Sallenders unless they own a traditional or heavily feathered breed.

Although they have different names depending on their location, they are essentially the same condition.

Mallenders occurs on the back of the knee (carpus), while Sallenders develops on the front of the hock (tarsus).

The condition is characterised by thickened, crusty scales or scabs that develop beneath the feather in these areas.

Whilst the condition itself is not usually life-threatening, it can become uncomfortable for the horse and, if left untreated, may allow secondary bacterial or fungal infections to develop. In some cases, this can result in significant discomfort and even lameness.

Why Does It Occur?

Mallenders and Sallenders are seen almost exclusively in horses with heavy feather.

These horses naturally produce larger amounts of keratin, the structural protein that forms the skin, hair and hoof.

The same increased keratin production responsible for the abundant feather can also lead to an excess of keratin accumulating on the skin. If this material is allowed to dry and build up, it forms the thick, waxy scales characteristic of the condition.

Clinical Signs

Typical signs include:

·        Thick, crusty scales beneath the feather.

·        Scabs on the back of the knee or front of the hock.

·        Inflamed or irritated skin.

·        Discomfort when the limb is flexed.

·        Pain if secondary infection develops.

·        Lameness in more severe cases.

Many farriers encounter the condition regularly, and affected horses may become reluctant to flex their limbs comfortably during shoeing because the affected areas are painful.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for Mallenders and Sallenders, but the condition is usually straightforward to manage with regular care.

Treatment focuses on softening and removing the excess keratin whilst protecting the skin underneath.

Products designed to soften the waxy scales, such as Equiderma Cream, can be helpful. Once softened, the scales can be gently removed using a wide-toothed comb. Care should always be taken not to pull away firmly attached scabs, as this may damage healthy skin beneath.

Where secondary bacterial or fungal infections are present, additional veterinary treatment may be required.

Prevention

Good routine management remains the most effective approach.

Regular grooming beneath the feather helps remove excess keratin before thick scales have the opportunity to develop.

Frequent inspection of these areas also allows early treatment before discomfort becomes significant.

Although the condition cannot be cured, consistent management usually keeps it well controlled throughout the horse's life.

Summary

·        Mallenders affects the back of the knee.

·        Sallenders affects the front of the hock.

·        Both conditions are caused by excess keratin production in heavily feathered horses.

·        Thick crusty scales can become uncomfortable and predispose the skin to secondary infection.

·        Regular grooming and early management are the key to successful long-term control.

A Final Thought

You cannot prevent your horse producing keratin.

You can prevent that keratin becoming a problem through regular, consistent management.

About the HØØF Knowledge Hub

The HØØF Knowledge Hub exists to provide horse owners with clear, practical and evidence-based information on hoof health, lower limb conditions and farriery.

Every horse is an individual, and no online article can replace professional assessment. If you have any concerns about your horse's health or soundness, always seek advice from your veterinary surgeon or registered farrier.

Article Information

Author: Paul Conroy BSc (Hons) AWCF
Organisation: HØØF Equine Hoof Care
Category: Lower Limb Health
Document Reference: HKH007
First Published: July 2026
Last Reviewed: July 2026

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