Mallenders, often seen as crusty or flaky skin on a horse's legs, is more than just a surface issue - it’s a sign of an underlying detoxification imbalance, very much aligned with the condition Cryptopyrroluria, aka KPU. Emerging science suggests that mallenders is linked to a compromised liver detox system, where the body uses the skin as an emergency pathway to excrete toxins. This process pulls dead skin cells - naturally rich in keratin - to the surface, resulting in the characteristic crusts or flakes.

EquiNatural's Mallenders Reset Programme works to address the root cause of this condition by supporting the liver’s detox pathways and restoring gut health. This natural approach allows the liver and gut to function optimally, reducing the need for toxin excretion through the skin.

With a focus on holistic, science-backed care, this 2-month programme is designed to repair the gut-liver connection and give your horse the tools it needs to support from within.

Key Benefits

*For the latest research, updates, and insights, see our main Mallenders page (Advice Centre/A-Z Equine Condition)

A step-by-step guide to supporting your horse’s recovery

*Each item is available separately in our Mallenders Shop page.

This programme starts with a 1-month regenerative hindgut stabiliser, followed by tonifying and regeneration of the detoxification organs function - the liver and kidneys.

Thereafter, it's a straightforward maintenance programme of feeding activated vitamin B6 (P5P) for at least 1-year, together with a liver/kidneys detox at each coat change time.

Be aware that depending on the degree of metabolic disruption, the long-term regeneration can take up to 2-years for some horses.

Alleviate

• A 1-month course of DuoBute
• A 1Kg Trial Bag of VitaComplete mineral balancer

First up, we start alleviating the discomfort with DuoBute pain and anti-inflammatory support, formulated to be very gentle on the fragile gut mucosa. Also start introducing the trial bag of VitaComplete forage-balanced nutrients into the diet.

• Start by feeding the DuoBute for a couple of days in a p.m. feed to start taking the edge off before starting the detox, while continuing with the DuoBute until finished.
• At the same time, introduce the VitaComplete balancer. If your horse is a fussy eater, start slow, a pinch or two per day and slowly build up.
• Optional - if your horse is stressed, also feed a 1-month course of StressTonic .

Reset

Stage 1 - Gut stabilisation

• A 1-month course of KPUCOMBO - a combined blend of EquiNatural's SiboCARE , GutAminos , P5P (Activated B6), B12-Balance & Spirulina .

Once your horse has had a couple of days on the DuoBute (and StressTonic if feeding), we now start the detox.

Feed the KPUCOMBO gut:liver stabiliser in an a.m. feed for 1-month. When finished, take a few days to assess - it's important to see how your horse's gut functions following the supplement; depending on the historic degree of gut dysbiosis, it may be that a 2nd month's course will need to be fed.

Stage 2 - Tonify

• A 1-month course of LKLCARE

We now tone the body's detoxification organs - liver, kidneys, lymph nodes. This addresses the body's natural detox process and resets the liver:kidneys:lymphatics pathway to support immune function and metabolic health.

Top Tip

If your horse is a fussy eater, start slow! A pinch at a time and slowly build up.

* Supplements of any kind should be fed with caution to the pregnant or nursing mare so always seek veterinary advice.

The focus now is on maintaining your horse's health long-term. By feeding tonifying supplements to support a balanced gut microbiome, alongside a diet rich in healthy, natural nutrition, you'll be giving your horse the best chance to thrive.

Have a look at our suggestions below - we're not saying to feed them all- just go with what feels right for you. Metabolic health is a sliding scale, influenced by daily choices that compound over time. Each decision - big or small - helps tip the scales in your horse's favour, ensuring lasting wellness and vitality.

1. Think fortify - switch any processed feeds to a grass forage-fibre feed, i.e a meadow cob/chaff, and get as much quality hay going through the hindgut, while closing the nutrient gap with forage-balanced minerals - see our EquiVita/VitaComplete range.
   
   
2. BiomeTonic , aka the well-known 'oily herbs', stabilise the intestinal environment, nurturing the beneficial gut bacteria while creating an unwelcome environment for pathogen microbes and parasites. Some horses seem to need it permanently; others (like our Mac) do well when fed every couple of weeks or so - it's very much horses for courses so your horse will no doubt tell you.
   
   
3. WildFed is beneficial to feed occasionally to add valuable prebiotic roughage and nutrient diversity to the diet. Either add to the feedbowl or sprinkle a handful over hay every other day or so - horses love to seek out the herbs for enrichment.
   
   
4. VitaBoost is more than a supplement - it's a powerhouse of natural nourishment for your horse. Crafted from 9 organic antioxidant-rich ingredients, this soya-free, synthetic-free blend provides essential vitamins in their natural form (A, C, E, K, and B-complex), anti-inflammatory antioxidants, and powerful beta-glucans to fortify vitality, performance, and long-term health.
   
   Whether your horse is in light work or intense training, VitaBoost delivers the ultimate natural feedbowl tonic for optimal wellbeing. Feed however it suits, either every day or one week a month - whenever you think your horse needs a nutrient boost.