Malanders and salanders?

[holeymoley]

So my pony is a welsh c x coloured cob. In the winter he produces feathers from knee downwards, but I've always trimmed him up. Since I've had him (8years) , he's always had scurvy skin behind his front knees. I believe this is called malanders? I've been keeping on top of it with softening the scabs and plastering with MSM ointment every now and again and it's fine. He has nothing on back legs. Today I went to trim his legs and noticed he has very sore, flakey skin all the way up his cannon bone. What could this be? I thought the malanders had spread but I believe you can only get it behind knee? Mud fever crossed my mind but couldn't be as nothing lower down at Pastern. I would say it looks like a reaction to something but he's not even been shampooed since the end of summer so not sure what it is I've plastered it in MSM ointment but he did seem a bit reluctant for me to touch it any ideas?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Wonderful words, I have my own take on the fecking annoying problem - my mare has salamanders. She is a new purchase and I had no idea just how tricky the problem was going to prove to be.

Sounds like your horse is suffering from harvest mites and possibly needs a dectomax course. It is too early really but best to speak to your vet as harvet mites cause untold misery to the horse.

I have used every potion known to man on the grumpy cartmare with varying levels of success (she is dectomaxed and frontlined). I have managed to breakdown the lumps of scurf in her heels by using selsun shampoo and her salamanders have responded really well to much slathering in muddy marvel barrier cream.

She came to me in a right state but at the moment is comfortable. It is a time consuming problem that seems to need managing rather than curing.

 

[holeymoley]

Oh dear your condition sounds much worse than mine! I find the MSM ointment is the only thing that clear it.

I know a horse that gets injections but h doesn't show any visible signs, he just constantly stamps and itches his heels.

Eee, harvest mites. Are there any other signs I should look out for? He was scratching his legs a bit today out riding but then I never know with that as he has a pollen allergy too so I never know whether he's scratching his nostrils or legs! That'll be another thing to cope with soon as well

 

[AdorableAlice]

If he is stamping it is harvest mites, do you bed on straw ?

I think your vet is the best person to guide you. Certainly the difference in my horse after the jabs was huge.

The second day I had her she knocked a stable off it's footings with her manic rubbing. The mites were all over her. She is a Clyde x RID and follows the Clyde in her coat. She is kept fully clipped out.

If you search on the forum there is lots of really helpful advice from other owners of feathered horses.

 

[holeymoley]

Thanks . No he doesn't stamp at all, and he's on shavings. It was only when i touched it tonigh he wasnt too keen on me near it. As i put the cream on i could feel bumpy Bits and there was some flakes. It was almost the same as behing his knees except that seems to be cracks in the skin. He's a bit if a sensitive soul though as pink skinned and has mild sweet itch throughout spring-autumn. He also can take reactions to fly bites and has been on anti inflammatories and painkillers as well. It's funny though as soon as his summer coat comes through he loses the feather and any sign of cobby-ness!