anyone had this

[sallyg84]

bit of a long one this so please bear with me!
Our old horse of 25 has always been in the best of health, without any problems or worries in the entire time we've had him nearly 20 years.
A couple of years ago he changed livery yards and was living out in the summer in a very large field with only one other horse. The grass was generally at fetlock length - some people don't understand field maintenance - he started getting mud fever type sores on his front of his 4 white legs.
Since then he has moved again to a much better yard, has his own field for turn out which is well managed by us but this problem has never left him, every year around march through to aug/sep his skin seems to break down on his front legs round the fetlock, coronet and cannon area. we've had the vet who can't seem to find any reason for this problem and it's always been a total mystery why after all these years he started suffering. If anyone knows of anything similar or has any theories would be most pleased to hear them

 

[cazza]

some horses mud fever is a reaction to a certain soil type, which is why some get it and others don't. Could just be the type of soil you are one. Sorry I can't remember which type makes them more prone.

 

[sallyg84]

thanks, we did think could have been the soil at old yard that has meant he's constantly prone, think we have to face facts its creaming up those legs everyday for the rest of his life!!!

 

[cazza]

you might find that he get's better over time, I have one that got mud fever when kept at one yard, moved her literally 3 miles down the road and she had it the first year and now she doesn't get it any more. So he may just need to build up a bit more of an immunity over time. Well here's hoping

 

[JACQSZOO]

Is it happening on the white areas? Are there any buttercups?

 

[amzy]

Could it be photosensitivity? An old pony of mine developed this from Spring to Autumn on his white socks and we had to make boots for him to wear in the daytime to protect them from the sun.

 

[SpruceRI]

Yes, buttercups can cause this. Would try putting some of those Equichaps on to see if this makes a difference, though they can make legs hot/sweaty which might bring on dermatitis anyway