Mud fever - best course of action?

[rcm_73]

Unfortunately my horse seems to be just starting with mud fever (had it much earlier last year). I've had the YO seeing to her for 3days due to work commitments and he doesn't like dealing with horses legs so she has been turned out without her sportabacs. This morning there was swelling, heat and redness but no scabs yet. What do you think is my best course of action to prevent it getting worse? I've got turnout chaps and heel to hoof barrier and hibiscrub. I like to make sure the skin is really clean before applying barrier but on the same score I don't really think washing helps as I can only towel dry so I try to brush the mud off whenever I can. I don't really want to leave her in as she's rather highly strung and would get quite anxious when the others go out.

 

[brightmount]

Is the YO still turning her out in the morning, or are you doing it now? I ask because really, it's what you do in the morning when the legs are dry that will help protect your horse from the conditions of turnout.

I would use your sportabacs (although Equilibrium close contact chaps are better as they go right under the heel), and I would also apply a barrier under the chaps at the bottom where the skin may get exposed to the mud. Heel to hoof should be fine. I use Sudocrem or MABS spray.

When the horse comes in I remove the chaps immediately and towel off any mud (there is very little as the chaps do such a good job). I avoid hosing at all costs. An hour or two later I apply a good plastering of Sudocrem or MABS spray for the night. You don't want to put this on wet skin as it seals moisture in as well as out.

The key to it really will be what you can do in the morning to protect your horse for turnout.

 

[PLAYBOY]

IVE JUST BEEN TOLD OF BY MY VET FOR PUTTING SUDOCREM ON MUD FEVER!

 

[rcm_73]

I can get up there most mornings but there will be 2 or 3 days a week when I can't. Are the equilibrium chaps any easier to put on? I'm thinking if they're easy to put on he might give it a go but can't see him doing the sportabacs properly even if he did try. (Cowman rather than Horseman!!)

 

[brightmount]

That's because he wants to sell you some expensive stuff. Sudocrem is tried and tested and works.

 

[brightmount]

TBH if he can't put sportabacs on he probably couldn't put Equi chaps on either!!!

 

[henryhorn]

What did he suggest you use instead?

 

[brightmount]

Er.. let me guess... Flamazine (£56.76)

 

[PLAYBOY]

nope powders not creams

 

[joanne1920]

did he say why it was bad to put sudocrem on? i was putting it on until i moved on to heel to hoof...

 

[brightmount]

I'm guessing it might have something to do with the fact there is Benzyl Benzoate in Sudocrem - the stuff everyone has used for years on sweet itch, but is now banned for horses but OK for humans (?). Is that right?

(And why would it be OK for a baby's bottom and not for a horse?).

 

[PLAYBOY]

it stops air getting to the area and doesnt give the skin chance to recover !

 

[polyphonic]

thats right!

 

[Jackster]

I was told off by someone (won't say who) for NOT washing a horses legs that had mud fever. I alwats thought you should try and keep the affected area as dry a possible once the scabs have come off.

 

[polyphonic]

that right! lol it is true, when flitn had it it was a case of trying to keep as dry as possible as mud fever reacts tp the bacteria in the ground

 

[Jackster]

I am so paranoid about Jack gettin it, think he gets so sick of me checkin all the time. He's got turnout boots on now tho so fingers crossed he should be ok.

 

[polyphonic]

i never take flints feather off now! its the natural drainage system although i know some horses do get it higher uip the legs. i think we shud all reme,ber prevention is better than cure

 

[brightmount]

[ QUOTE ]
it stops air getting to the area and doesnt give the skin chance to recover !

[/ QUOTE ]

When my horse was being turned out, with sudocrem on her MF areas, the MF disappeared.

When she was in for a few days last week due to the weather I didn't put any cream on as I didn't think it was necessary, and oddly the MF came back.

I don't know if this proves or disproves the hypothesis. Discuss.

 

[polyphonic]

i covered flints leg up when turned out and then wen he came in scabs were picked hibissrubbed u know the drill and then left over night for the air to get to it, MF was gone wothin a week

 

[Lorian]

I had my vet out at the end of October as my horse had mud fever and was also told NOT TO use Sudocream. It stops the wound from breathing and traps in any dirty, bacteria.

My vet prescribed me some of their home made mud fever cream which they gave me for FREE! Dont faint!
They gave me a massive pot of this cream (still have 1/4 of pot left) It is the same consistency as Vaseline to stop the mud, water getting on to their leg but it is also anti bacterial and anti septic so it kills what ever is already on the skin so even if it traps bacteria in there it will kill it. It cleared my horses mud fever up in a week and now it is just pink skin where the hair needs to grow back.
I have the equilibrum turnout boots but with this cream I didnt need to use them (the boots are a real pain to put on but are very good)
It may be worth giving your vet a ring just to see what they recommend. My vet was very synical about all the mud fever creams on the market. He said they are good to prevent but not to cure it.

*Also I was told if the mud is dry when they come in from the field to brush the mud off of their legs but if the mud is wet then hose the legs off and try them with a towel*

Hope your horse is better soon

 

[Vicki1986]

[ QUOTE ]
I had my vet out at the end of October as my horse had mud fever and was also told NOT TO use Sudocream. It stops the wound from breathing and traps in any dirty, bacteria.

[/ QUOTE ]

well surely that will mean that if the area is clean and you apply sudocream it will stop dirt getting in?

And also surely your point then applies to ALL barrier creams?! confused as to why its only sudocream

I find sudocream seems to wipe off within a few hours.

I have been applying it and it seems to have helped the skin heal up.

I am goign to get some of the hoof to heel everyone is on about i think