Mud Fever boots? Worth it or nah?

Loubidy

Loubidy

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Hello - hoping to find some people who have experience of this!

My horse is susceptible to mud fever, always has been, previously had liver issues > photosensitivity in the past so any extensive period of wet leads to mud fever in his back heels. Usually stay somewhat on top of it with pig oil and zinc and castor oil nappy cream. My yard is very wet in winter, my horse box walks so I won't keep him in 24/7 unless absolutely necessary. We don't have hot shower facilities at the yard so I generally avoid washing legs at all as can't dry them properly so just brush dry mud off in the morning.

This year I am considering trying turnout boots but I don't want to waste money if they don't do anything. It is my understanding that mud fever thrives in cold & wet conditions but bacteria thrives in warm moist environments so my concern is boots would create another problem?

Any experiences welcome :)
 
A friend uses them successfully, but she has two or three full sets, so the horse always has a clean, dry set on in the morning. I think hers are Equilibrium, which seem to be more breathable than some. The horses legs do get a bit damp during the day, but dry out overnight. They have prevented mud fever.
 
I'd say it's hit and miss I'm afraid.
I've seen them work well for one, but on another of mine they rubbed and just made everything worse.
I've had sucess with Conotrane though, it's an antibacterial and antifungal barrier cream for humans, usually used for preventing nappy rash, chafing and bed sores.
It gets bonus points for being much cheaper than anything with horse on the label!
 
I have found the mud fever powders more successful and less messy than the oils and creams for horses who come in overnight.
 
I bought some turnout /mud fever boots last year hoping to keep my ponies legs a bit less muddy - he does have quite hairy legs! When they arrived neither pair would go anywhere near him so l’ve still got them, maybe ok if you’ve clipped out. I’ve friends who use them on TBs and find them amazing.
 
I used them for my lad who has sensitive skin and unfortunately they did more harm than good.

I now use mud away powder form for his legs and it works fab x
 
Mud fever boots worked quite well for my late old TB mare. I would hose them off each night and dry over the heater in our tack room over night. I also successfully used a routine of cleaning the legs each day and drying with whicking material boots before putting horse to bed.
 
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