Mud fever is the bane of many horse owners’ lives during the winter months when wet, muddy fields take their toll on our equine friends.
Mud fever, proper name equine pastern dermatitis, is a non-contagious skin condition that causes irritations, soreness, matted areas of hair and scabs on the horse’s lower legs.
It is also known as greasy heels and cracked heels and is caused when wet, muddy conditions cause the skin to soften. The softened skin then becomes damaged allowing bacteria to enter.
Feathered or hairy horse breeds can be at particular risk as the hair can cause higher risk of rubbing and chafing.
Wet bedding can also increase your horse’s risk of developing mud fever as urine contains ammonia which can further damage the skin’s natural barrier, and, of course, open wounds are an open invitation for bacteria to enter.
Therefore, during the winter months it’s important to be aware of the dangers of mud fever and know what you can do to prevent it and treat it.
Prevention is obviously better than cure and if your fields are wet and muddy you may want to consider limiting your horse’s turnout time to decrease the risk.
But if that’s not an option, turnout boots or barrier creams can be useful. Boots provide a physical barrier against mud and water, while barrier creams can do the same but must be applied to clean and dry skin.
If your horse does get wet, muddy legs, resist the temptation to hose them down as this can further soften the skin and do more harm than good. Instead, allow the mud to dry and then brush off.
However, even with the best of intentions and efforts to protect your horse from mud fever, it can still happen, so keep an eye open for the following signs and symptoms:
- Redness
- Crusty scabs
- Matted areas of hair
- Small moist lesions
- Thick, creamy discharge
- Deep fissures or ridges on the skin
- Hair loss
- Swelling and inflammation
- Lameness
- Loss of appetite and lethargy.
If you discover your horse has mud fever, one of the first things you may consider doing is keeping him stabled – or at least away from wet, muddy fields. If that’s not possible, turnout boots can provide protection from further damage and infection.
If you have a hairy horse you may have to consider giving him a haircut so you can treat the affected skin and allow you to monitor the healing process.
The first step to treating mud fever is to thoroughly clean the area with warm water and a diluted antimicrobial cleaner to soften the scabs and remove them and to rid the area of harmful bacteria.
Once cleaned the area must be carefully dried and then treated with a medicated cream.
In extreme cases a vet may have to sedate your horse as removing the scabs can be painful and they may also advise giving antibiotics to treat the infection, but most often mud fever is not a serious condition and with a bit of TLC your horse will quickly recover.