Mim has mud fever

[LadyGascoyne]

Poor little Mim came in from the field with a swollen hind on Monday, and then the other hind has just started too.

I don’t usually get the vet out for mud fever but she has only had it once before and didn’t get swelling, only scabs. So we have a course of antibiotics which I am sure will be a joy to get her to eat ?

Otherwise happy, eating and still sound.

I’m struggling a bit not having her at home because I have nice dry fields, high up on a hill. I’d have her out to keep moving if she were to get mud fever but she doesn’t tend to at home. The yard she’s on is low lying so much muddier and wetter.

I’ve opted to keep in the double sized box with access to a pen, and keep her legs dry. I’m then having her walked, on the walker and in hand, a couple of times a day. But now I’m questioning myself.

I could bring her home but it seems a bit of an overreaction for a sound horse with a bit of mud fever. It is only 3 min down the road, and I could borrow company.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I think your plan is fine for now. Mine eats antibiotics no questions asked, oddly enough, so maybe it won't be so bad. Otherwise you'll have to administer orally with a syringe. Keeping her moving as much as possible, especially at the walk, is a good plan.

Keeping them dry and clean will help, and hopefully antibiotics will sort out any infection. Mine just got over cellulitis, but had no visible cuts or mud fever. I've also put him in Cleavers and Marigold to help the lymphatic system/leg filling. Maybe that might help too?

 

[Pinkvboots]

I'm sure she will be fine it doesn't look that bad the antibiotics will sort it out.

Arabi had it bad last year on his 2 white hind legs I think it was because I stopped giving them the pro balance as they were looking too well, I have left him on it this year although his been on box rest so will only know once he starts going out.

Mine won't eat anything in the feed I just syringe with a bit of water and peppermint essence from the supermarket ? they love it although we all get covered in it they don't mind they actually look forward to any sort of syringe now.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I find the mud shield powder pretty good Louis didn't get it and that's what I was using although he has no white legs.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Re: antibiotics cut the small end off of a syringe and then put plunger in, pour powder into the cut end, poke in side of mouth and push plunger all the way through. Cuts the middle man and they get the full dose everytime as none left in plunger and it mixes with saliva so they can't spit it out.

It doesn't look bad at all so you should be fine, just keep her moving.

 

[SusieT]

My only question is how has she got it bad enough to get swelling - what aspect of care has led to this? Would she be healthier at home on high dry fields than in ground that is too wet ?

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

My only question is how has she got it bad enough to get swelling - what aspect of care has led to this? Would she be healthier at home on high dry fields than in ground that is too wet ?

It can be an abrasion as small as a pin head that allows bacteria in from the mud that would result in swelling - I wouldn't be questioning the yard at this point, more just seeing whether a barrier would work.

 

[jnb]

Doesn't look too bad, I like the Keratex Mud Shield powder to prevent.
Antibiotics...mix with a tiny amount of water in a cup then add a kid's pot of custard, mix till smooth then put into a syringe (not the needle type!) or old wormer syringe and feed like a wormer. My cob decided custard was quite nice!

 

[Goldenstar]

That does not look too serious .Mud fever just happens sometimes .
If everything else suits I would not change anything .
I hope you don’t mind me saying she’s got a bit porky .

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Thanks everyone for reassuring me, and some good suggestions to support her recovery too.

SusieT - if anything, it’s my fault. I’m the only one on the yard that requests turnout regardless of weather. The weather was unseasonably warm over the weekend and muddy and warm is excellent for bugs. The yard maintain an excellent standard of care.

That does not look too serious .Mud fever just happens sometimes .
If everything else suits I would not change anything .
I hope you don’t mind me saying she’s got a bit porky .

No, you’re welcome to! I also thought she looks a bit too well but thanks for confirming it. We’ve had grass growth here - weather is weird - and I hadn’t cut feed which is definitely a mistake.

 

[SEL]

I've got one who seems to get a bout every year - apart from the year we were all in knee high mud ? He needs antibiotics to shift it but I tend to find the less I do to it the quicker it heals. Another livery was religiously hibiscrubbing hers and it just looked raw and nasty for ages while my lad was out with healed legs.

 

[AmyMay]

Once it’s all cleared up, udder salve will be your friend. Fantastic stuff.

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s been warm and wet and muddy , perfect weather for mud fever

 

[PurBee]

Hope she heals soon with new routine LG.

Just out of interest - was mim clipped this autumn/winter? my 3/4 arab gelding has a really hairy winter coat, especially legs…like a woolly mammoth! Hairier legs than his half-arab dam.
He has a coat like mim has now, in the summer.

Love her dapples ?

 

[Quigleyandme]

Porky? Rude ?. HM The Queen cunningly gives her dud horses to people who can’t refuse and then have to cherish the wretched beasts for the rest of their natural. She was looking over a CB mare given to the King’s Troop with my son and commented she looked “prosperous”.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Hope she heals soon with new routine LG.

Just out of interest - was mim clipped this autumn/winter? my 3/4 arab gelding has a really hairy winter coat, especially legs…like a woolly mammoth! Hairier legs than his half-arab dam.
He has a coat like mim has now, in the summer.

Love her dapples ?

She’s unclipped but this is her first year being rugged. I usually only rug her if it’s absolutely freezing. This year, she’s in light rugs mainly to keep her a bit cleaner now that she’s in work. Her coat is very pretty this year. It changes constantly.

Porky? Rude ?. HM The Queen cunningly gives her dud horses to people who can’t refuse and then have to cherish the wretched beasts for the rest of their natural. She was looking over a CB mare given to the King’s Troop with my son and commented she looked “prosperous”.

Prosperous ? I do like that. Mim is very prosperous right now.

 

[OldNag]

I'd second the recommendation for Keratex powder - and also recommend the Muddy Buddy 7 day mud guard.
Hope she is better soon.
Prosperous - I like that. I think I'm feeling particularly prosperous myself

 

[Gloi]

Arabi had it bad last year on his 2 white hind legs I think it was because I stopped giving them the pro balance as they were looking too well, I have left him on it this year although his been on box rest so will only know once he starts going out.

mine got it on his white socks the first winter he was up here. However I have been feeding Pro Hoof and he has never had it again.
I like Keratex powder too

 

[Goldenstar]

That’s sounds about right the horses look prosperous and the owners look worried and disheveled.

 

[OldNag]

That’s sounds about right the horses look prosperous and the owners look worried and disheveled.

I think it's fair to say I'm "prosperous" (cf,. Mim) but definitely worried and dishevelled.