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What is Mud Fever?

What is Mud Fever?

What is Mud Fever?

Otherwise known as ‘Pastern Dermatitis’, Mud Fever presents itself in many different ways and can be called “greasy” or “cracked heels”.

If your horse's skin is healthy, Mud Fever can struggle to take hold but if the horse has a compromised immune system or a skin wound, the infection ‘Dermatophilus Congolensis’ enters into body and multiplies between the epidermal layers, resulting in sore, broken, weeping skin ranging from acute inflammation to a few scabs. Most commonly Mud Fever forms on either the heal or the pastern -between the fetlock and the hoof - hence the name ‘Pastern Dermatitis’.

The bacteria that causes the infection lives in the soil and is activated by wet weather and damp grass, hence it being more common in the winter time and during wet weather, although it is totally feasible to have Mud Fever through the rest of the year if conditions present.

Mud Fever is not contagious (so it won’t spread between horses or to people).

What Causes Mud Fever?

There are a variety of factors that enable Mud Fever to develop and take holdin a horse. As the name suggests, Mud Fever is more common in wet weather and wintertime, as the constant dampness can weaken the skin's normal defence against infection, meaning the bacteria can enter the skin and cause infection.

Any cuts, scrapes or breaks in the skin can allow mud fever the chance to enter a horse’s body. Some horses can have all of the above and not be susceptible to mud fever even when turned out 24/7 and other horses can get mud fever at the slightest dampness in the ground, so genetics may play some part in how prone horses are to this disease.

It would seem that often horses with white socks or light-coloured flesh are at greater risk of developing mud fever.

Some soil types seem to be predisposed to giving horses mud fever, which may explain why several horses in the same field may get it or a horse that has never had it before comes down with it after moving locations.

Signs of Mud Fever

  • · Crusty scabs on lower limbs
  • · Circular lesions beneath the crusty scabs
  • · Hair loss on lower limbs
  • · Raw, inflamed skin on lower limbs
  • · Heat, swelling and pain when touching the limb
  • · Lameness

How to Treat or Prevent Mud Fever

As always, prevention is easier than cure. A healthy horse with healthy skin will help you to prevent mud fever. Correct care and nutrition can go a long way but sometimes a horse may need other avenues explored.

The age-old debate of what to do with a wet, muddy horse when it comes in from the field is not easily answered. Leaving the mud to dry naturally and then brush off is fine should the limbs not be sore and already compromised. Washing mud off can provide momentary respite for riding if boots are to be worn but take care not to scrub or pick at scabs as to worsen the problem.

It is advisable to check daily for early signs of Mud Fever on your horses especially during wet weather and maintain good pasture management to help limit poaching around feed areas. Using a system such as the DuraPoly Bale Feeder can really help.

Additionally, the use of a barrier product - will provide a waterproof, breathable and antibacterial protection against wet and muddy conditions before the skin becomes infected - this is often the preferred choice for horses known to suffer each year.

Mud Fever in Summary

There is no one particular product, vaccination or potion that fixes Mud Fever. However, careful management, attention to lower limbs and restricting exposure to conditions attributed with mud fever are the best form of prevention.

At Farm & Stable we highly recommend the use of a topical barrier cream application. TRM Equisal cream is a great option as it is suitable for use as both a barrier for prevention, plus a treatment for any existing Mud Fever or Mud Scalds.

TRM EquisalKeratex, Udder Cream, AromaheelTRM brand page