Is it ok to leave mud on legs overnight in stable?

Achinghips

Achinghips

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I've been bringing mud monster in from the field, sorting her out, and then coming back to yard 2 hours later to remove the dried mud with a dandy.
Last night, I noticed the dried mud had made her legs lovely and warm underneath, as my breath was white on the air, it was actually serving as insulation.
I wondered about stable chaps, designed to give protection and keep legs warm and wondered why not just leave the mud on overnight and dandy her in the morning? I'm not talking about leaving the mud on for days at a time, just overnight for warmth - and it would save me coming back to the yard late.
She's not prone to mud fever and is a fizzy TB with stick like legs - and does feel the cold badly.
Any thoughts or is this a definite nono?
 
i always leave them over night i they come in with wet mud on there legs, if they are going to get mud fever its not from leaving dried mud on there legs it comes from the bacteria in the mud.
 
When mine come in I don't touch the mud on their legs, brush it off in the morning when its dry. I don't have a hose at the moment, but if I did I would hose off, rough dry down and then stable. Generally though mine are out so unless I hang around in the evening for about 3 hours waiting for their legs to dry, I cant get all of it off anyway.
 
its often far easier to leave the mud to dry off.So long as you brush it off before turning her out again I see no reason why it would do any harm. If she definitely doesn't suffer mud fever then like you have said horses who live out full time will often be plastered on all their unrugged areas as this is their insulation.
 
i wouldn't use a dandy..it could scratch her skin, therefore allowing the bacteria access.

if the mud is dry, remove with one of those green plastic mesh scourers you can get in ASDA.

i would either leave to dry and remove, or wash and dry thoroughly.

you could also try turning her out with legs bound in cling film covered with cheap human bandages..easy to remove, and the bandages are easy to wash and dry..
 
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you could also try turning her out with legs bound in cling film covered with cheap human bandages..easy to remove, and the bandages are easy to wash and dry..

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The majority of boots and common thought now is to keep the legs as cool as possible - cling filming your horses legs is not going to give your healthy skin, tendons or a happy horse imho.

I leave mud on most days, unless he is filthy - up to his elbows in it, or if I am competing the next day then I quickly hose off.
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you could also try turning her out with legs bound in cling film covered with cheap human bandages..easy to remove, and the bandages are easy to wash and dry..

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The majority of boots and common thought now is to keep the legs as cool as possible - cling filming your horses legs is not going to give your healthy skin, tendons or a happy horse imho.


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i'm assuming the OP isn't going to leave said film on indefinitely
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for a couple of hours turnout it will be fine.
 
My horse quite often goes a week at a time without mud being removed
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Bar behind ears where bridle sits and the girth groove. I'm a bad mum but he doesn't seem to care. I think of it as an advanced body wrap technique
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Can't believe you were going to yard for late night leg grooming!!!
 
I only ever wash the mud of my horses legs when they're plastered in mud and I want to ride (i have to wear boots) otherwise I just leave thr mud to dry and brush of the next day
 
i don't wash legs unless i'm going to a show or have a lesson...i actually believe that it can cause the skin to thin/weaken and can be a cause of mud fever. have never (touch wood) had one with it so i figure it must work. i don't even brush it off the next day...in fact my attitude to brushing is pretty minimal, unless i'm going to a show... my horses don't care and are perfectly healthy!
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We don't touch legs at all over winter after Mick got really bad mud fever 3 years ago, we won't wash or even brush them.

Shineys feathers are left to grow so protect his skin, and I just check Micks shins and heels every now and again.

Haven't had any problems since leaving them alone.
 
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i don't wash legs unless i'm going to a show or have a lesson...i actually believe that it can cause the skin to thin/weaken and can be a cause of mud fever. have never (touch wood) had one with it so i figure it must work. i don't even brush it off the next day...in fact my attitude to brushing is pretty minimal, unless i'm going to a show... my horses don't care and are perfectly healthy!
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im with you on this one
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only brush what i need to this time of year
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after all they are outdoor creatures and soon get muddy again so don't see the point
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unless im going to a show then they get a good thorough groom
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Blimey thats a bit dedicated...(or daft) wouldnt catch me going back up the yard 2hrs after I left to brush off muddy legs!!!!

Leave it horse will be fine!!
 
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i don't wash legs unless i'm going to a show or have a lesson...i actually believe that it can cause the skin to thin/weaken and can be a cause of mud fever. have never (touch wood) had one with it so i figure it must work. i don't even brush it off the next day...in fact my attitude to brushing is pretty minimal, unless i'm going to a show... my horses don't care and are perfectly healthy!
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im with you on this one
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only brush what i need to this time of year
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after all they are outdoor creatures and soon get muddy again so don't see the point
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unless im going to a show then they get a good thorough groom
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Same here!!
 
Agree wholeheartedly with Stencilface.

My horses legs only see a hose if we're going to a show, and if I'm honest they very very rarely even see a brush
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. He has four white socks and is turned out in a mud bath, but I've never ever seen any signs of mudfever. So, my conclusion is that neglect is the best form of leg care
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OP - I think you're insane (but very sweet!) for going back to the yard especially to groom. You will be fine to brush off in the morning instead, but tbh I don't think you really need to bother at all... Just keep an eye out for mudfever. Also, don't bother with wraps/bandages etc just for warmth - as others have said too much heat in the legs can actually cause harm.

ETS - Just realised that you didn't actually suggest using stable chaps at all, so please ignore my ramblings on that front!
 
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I wouldn't cling film a horses legs even for a couple of hours, just to stop them getting muddy. Jeezums, its a horse, not a doll
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Nor would i on a regular basis...

in fact mine are lucky to get brushed in the winter at all.
 
I use 'benign neglect' when it comes to muddy legs. I only brush off dry mud if I am riding one that needs to wear brushing boots.

I do believe that too much brushing/washing gives the bacteria a better chance of getting a hold. Obviously if mud fever does set it (touch wood hasn't yet) I would need to get the scabs off.
 
I just hose off the actual hooves to make picking out more pleasant. I leave mud to dry and don't brush off unless I am riding. I think you are making work for yourself.

Jane
 
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i don't wash legs unless i'm going to a show or have a lesson...i actually believe that it can cause the skin to thin/weaken and can be a cause of mud fever. have never (touch wood) had one with it so i figure it must work. i don't even brush it off the next day...in fact my attitude to brushing is pretty minimal, unless i'm going to a show... my horses don't care and are perfectly healthy!
smile.gif


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im with you on this one
smile.gif
only brush what i need to this time of year
smile.gif
after all they are outdoor creatures and soon get muddy again so don't see the point
smirk.gif
unless im going to a show then they get a good thorough groom
grin.gif


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Same here!!

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Me too - but I don't go to shows or even ride much at the moment, so grooming is cursory to say the least
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I use pig oil on my TBs legs, only need to apply it once a week and the mud doesnt stick to him at all. I do wash his feet every night, so that I can put hoof grease on dry hooves in the morning Touch wood but no sign of any mud fever so far in 2 years using this method,
 
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i wouldn't use a dandy..it could scratch her skin, therefore allowing the bacteria access.

if the mud is dry, remove with one of those green plastic mesh scourers you can get in ASDA.

i would either leave to dry and remove, or wash and dry thoroughly.

you could also try turning her out with legs bound in cling film covered with cheap human bandages..easy to remove, and the bandages are easy to wash and dry..

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Why would you cling film the legs, even for only a couple of hours? What benefit will the horse gain from it?
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The only time that course of action is advocated is for loosening mud fever scabs.....but the OP's horse has no problem with mud fever...........
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i wouldn't use a dandy..it could scratch her skin, therefore allowing the bacteria access.

if the mud is dry, remove with one of those green plastic mesh scourers you can get in ASDA.

i would either leave to dry and remove, or wash and dry thoroughly.

you could also try turning her out with legs bound in cling film covered with cheap human bandages..easy to remove, and the bandages are easy to wash and dry..

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Why would you cling film the legs, even for only a couple of hours? What benefit will the horse gain from it?
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The only time that course of action is advocated is for loosening mud fever scabs.....but the OP's horse has no problem with mud fever...........
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Horse would gain no benefit. And on top of that it is utterly stupid thing to do. All you need is the bandage to work loose, neddy to stand on one end and hey presto - you run the risk of irrepairable tendon damage.
Bandages and field turnout are not safe unless securely taped and ideally boots over the top!
 
All horses are different, hence why some suffer with mud fever and others can wollow around in it to there hearts content all winter and nothing comes of it.

Ideally if your horse is not a mud fever suffer, I wouldn’t worry too much about washing it off/covering the legs with wraps etc because doing this in some cases will cause problems, warm environments open the pores in the skin which lets the bacteria in, so washing

However you need to keep a very very close eye on any changes to the skin on your horses legs, which you can’t do if there covered in dry or wet mud, so I think you already doing the right thing …just brushing it off, if your not brushing them on a daily basis how else would you know, prevention is better than cure.

I’d be careful not to over brush though (when your doing your normal grooming session that is) because as much as your horse legs will look lovely and clean and shiny, you will also be stripping the natural oil away from the skin that acts as a barrier, hence why don’t get half as many feathery types (cobs) with mud fever that are just left in fields to breed etc (those belonging to gypsies before there just left alone) as you do with those that belong to owners that show there animals and are forever bathing them, not in all cases but it common reason.

I would suggest using a spray to prevent the mud sticking on as much, this will make it easier to brush off when its dry, plus less scrubbing/brushing on those delicate TB legs.
 
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I wouldn't cling film a horses legs even for a couple of hours, just to stop them getting muddy. Jeezums, its a horse, not a doll
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Totally agree, even the world's biggest wuss , Cappy, does not get that and he hates mud!
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aslo on the safety front you run the risk of the bacteria multiplying in warm and wet conditions.
 
ok, ok,....

i have re-read the OP..

i now realise the horse HASN'T got MF as yet...

so yes, irrelevent info given by me...

but cling film is brilliant at assisting MF scabs to lift...
 
Muddy legged horse + deep bed of straw= clean dry legs in the morning.

A quick check that all 4 legs are present and intact is enough for me
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I plait the bottom of my horses tails this time of year as well, and leave them like that - looks a bit daft out hacking but it saves having to drag a brush through 'em.
 
Ive always left wet mud on legs in the stable, over night it falls off in the bed anyway. If you continually hose it they get mud fever and if you let it dry and scrub at it with a stiff brush or plastic curry comb you can make microscopic scrathes on the skin and mud fever can set in. It will be fine leave it, ive left mud on legs for all the years Ive done horses and just had a major clean up the day before hunting.
 
I only wash the mud off my horses legs if they are being ridden . . . . and I never brush off dry mud.

The only exception is the horse who wears magnetic stable boots overnight because the boots would get very yucky after a few days if not !!

I have always done it this way and (touch wood) I've never had a horse with mud fever or similar.
 
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