Mud fever in horses

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Mud fever, also known as pastern dermatitis, is a common condition that can affect your horse’s legs, especially in wet, muddy conditions. It can cause swelling, scabs, and sometimes lameness. While mud fever can be uncomfortable, the good news is that with the right care, your horse can recover and you can prevent future issues.

What causes mud fever in horses?

Mud fever happens when your horse’s legs are exposed to wet and muddy conditions for long periods. The moisture softens the skin, making it more likely to get infected by bacteria, which leads to mud fever. Horses with hairy legs (like Clydesdales, Irish Cob’s or Friesians) are at higher risk because the coat trap moisture. Other causes of mud fever include small cuts, mold, mites, and insect bites. The key to preventing it is keeping your horse’s legs clean and dry.

What does the start of mud fever look like?

The first signs of mud fever often start as small red patches or slight irritation on the skin around the pasterns. You might notice the skin becoming inflamed or the appearance of scabs. As the condition progresses, the skin may become cracked, and you could see swelling around the affected area. If left untreated, the skin can thicken, and your horse may become uncomfortable or even lame.

Can you still ride a horse with mud fever?

It’s not recommended to ride a horse with mud fever, especially if the infection is causing swelling, pain, or lameness. Riding could worsen the condition and cause your horse further discomfort. It’s best to allow the affected area to heal completely before resuming any activities like riding. If your horse has mild mud fever and is not in pain, you could consider light, short training sessions, but keep in mind that you always prioritize their recovery.

How to treat mud fever in horses

Treating mud fever requires patience and the right approach. Here are steps you can follow to assist the recovery process:

🪒  Trim the hair: Carefully trim any long hair around the affected area. This makes cleaning easier and helps the skin dry faster.

🧼 Clean the area: Use a mild mixture of cleansing soda and warm water to gently clean the skin. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

🧻 Dry thoroughly: Pat the area dry with a clean towel. It’s important to keep the skin as dry as possible to prevent bacteria from thriving.

❌ Don’t pick at scabs: Never try to remove the scabs. They protect the healing skin underneath and should only fall off naturally as the skin heals.

🤍 Apply skin care: Use a suitable skin or wound spray to help support healing and protect the skin from further irritation.

Preventing mud fever in horses

Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to mud fever. Here are some ways to keep your horse’s legs healthy and reduce the risk of developing mud fever:

• Clean and dry regularly: After your horse has been in the mud or wet conditions, make it a habit to clean their legs and dry them thoroughly.
• Limit wet conditions: If possible, avoid letting your horse stand in wet or muddy fields for long periods.
• Healthy diet: Ensure your horse has a balanced diet to support its skin health and immune system. You can support this with Horseflex Resistance Complex.

With these tips, you can help reduce the risk of mud fever and give your horse the optimal support for more comfort and health.

Nutrition and support from within

If your horse is sensitive to mud fever, the advice is not to feed too many different types of feed.  Changing feeds often can potentially affect keeping the intestinal flora balanced. For example, choose only one type of concentrate feed if you need to supplement forage. Strengthening your horse’s immunity from the inside out reduces the opportunity for viruses, infections and bacteria to strike, reducing the risk of mud fever.

The health of your horse’s intestines plays a big part in their overall immunity. About 70 to 80 percent of a horse’s immunity is in the intestines, making it important to keep your horse’s intestines balanced. If the intestinal flora is out of balance, your horse’s immunity will be lower, making them more susceptible to conditions such as mud fever.

Supplemental support for your horse

You can also support your horse by giving supplements that help with waste removal. If waste isn’t properly removed, it can build up in the legs, which can worsen infections.

Help your horse avoid too much sugar

Avoid feeding your horse too much sugar. The bacteria in the gut don’t deal well with large amounts of sugar. Avoid giving sugary treats. If you want to give something special, choose rosehip. Horses love them, and they are naturally rich in antioxidants, biotin and vitamin C, all of which support healthy hooves and overall immunity.