a few problems ....help

J

jordanross

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Hi guys,

what it is daphi has mud fever on her back legs.(she had it when i got her) its quite low down and i feel im in a real dilema. the field is getting pretty muddy with all this rain here. so im reluctant to put her out.when its wet and boggy. Im washing her legs down daily when comes in from being out ,to try and get rid of it and using hibi scrub diluted afterwards as a shampoo then rinse and pat dry. as i understand ( from what ive read on different websites) it will scab and then slowly come away? well it has been scabby since i got her but doesnt seem to come away. not that ive noticed anyway. it looks horrible and i want it rid of. anymore advice to help me get rid of this? thanks jordan
 
as far as im aware (and please wait for other replies before taking my word for this) is that you have to keep the affected area clean and dry, and to get rid of the scabs you have to let them soften first by using some kind of cream and then gently pick them off yourself and continue to keep the legs clean and dry, hope thats some help unless ive been told completely wrong

x
 
When the legs are totally dry try putting a thick layer of sudocreme over the scabs.(You can buy it in any supermarket /chemist) Try and make sure the legs are kept bone dry as any moisture makes it slower to heal. Maybe stop washing the legs for a while.
 
a lot of TBs get mudfever as their skin is so sensitive- i wouldn't worry as you are treating it properly. could you perhaps section your field off with electrical tape so it doesn't get too bad or move your gateway as often its around here that its worst. or you could buy her some equichaps to stop her legs being wet and muddy? if she's not getting masses of ridden work i think its important that she still gets some time out- but maybe do a couple of hours and then let her come in?

FWIW i NEVER wash my horses legs (unless they are having a bath or going to a show) and i have NEVER had a horse with mud fever- i think that constantly washing legs makes the skin weaker...bit once she has mud fever then you do need to treat it.
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Oh i see.
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oppps. i thought it was a bacteria no? the idea was to keep the infected area clinically clean as possible to reduce the bacteria? hey thanks if ive been doing it wrong im glad of the advice thank you
 
No don't worry, washing with hibiscrub is good but it might not be drying completely so a slightly different approach may work instead!
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It is a bacteria that causes it and the most effective way to get rid off it is to almost suffocate the bacteria.
I never wash legs either, so that cannot be the reason, but both my horses have got it this winter as it has been so wet, and on one of them it is only clearing up now!

The best thing to do is let the mud dry on the leg and then brush it off. It also helps, if the mud fever is very bad to trim off as much hair as possible around it, to make it easier for you to see what is happening (although in the long-term once it is cleared up, let a certain amount of hair grow back, as it helps prevent mud fever)
Once leg is totally dry and mud free, plaster the whole area with, vaseline or aqueous cream as this helps get rid of the bacteria. We always bandage over this to keep it clean in the stable but I don't think this is necessary.
The next day before you turn her out, wipe off some of the excess, but leave some on to act as a barrier against the mud.
Repeat every evening.

Once you have been doing that for a few days, the scabs will soften and you can gently rub them off over time. The more scabs you can get off the more effective this method is!


I know all about how annoying mud fever can be, as my coloured mare is very sensitive and gets it on her belly and neck aswell if she has been galloping in the field!


ETA-I have used a hair dryer on my horses before and once they feel the hot air they tend to quite like it! Spoilt..... NEVER!
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Warm animalintex on the affected area overnight like applying a poltice. will draw it all out without the need to pick the scabs. helps draw the bacteria out too and then apply sudocrem etc
 
if she is prone to it and when it clears up you can put "equi chaps" on her equilibrium make them and ive found them really good for stopping mud fever, only prob is when its really muddy the velcro gets clogged up and wont stick!!!!
 
OMG! lol


hey theres nowt wrong with my hair! ha ha


anyways i used the hair dryer on it! she was a bit jumpy for a second but then stood perfectly still while i got busy round her legs. I wanted to make sure id washed and dried them perfectly. which i did. I didnt know washing was bad for them, i thought washing and bathing with hibi scrub then drying would be good for them? oh well im learning everyday i guess.

so just brush the mud off and thats it ? I dont get how it will go better though if it isnt treated with something?

are you saying brush it off and then apply a cream such as cow salve like reccomended?
 
If it is still scabby I would wash with dilute hibiscrub. Gently rub off any loose scabs, dry and apply sudocreme. Do this daily until there are no scabs. Carry on with the sudocreme or barrier cream until the legs aren't pink or sore and properly healed. Then don't wash her legs unless absolutely necessary. Wait for the mud to dry and brush off.
Its a bit of a catch 22 for a while. Repeated washing weakens the skin but you need to get the scabs off for it to heal. It can be done..my friends pony went into winter with mudfever and came out of winter without using this method and she lived out through winter in alot of mud.
Remember...don't force the scabs off..wait till they are ready.
Depending on the severity of it, it may help to keep her in until its healed up especially if its muddy.
 
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