Mud fever/dermatitis 😫

[santas_spotty_pony]

Our big Friesian has developed what myself and the Vet thinks is dermatitis from the wet ground. He’s got a few bald patches appeared at cannon bone and hock height. He also has a bit of mud fever on his hind heels. I was trying to clean it up yesterday and he kicked me in the leg. I was lucky as although painful I’m fine but it could have been much worse.

Coincidentally I had the Vet coming anyway after this to do their teeth so I got them to have a look. They weren’t overly concerned and just said to keep them as dry as possible and not to put myself in danger so don't worry too much if he won’t let me put anything on them. So if he isn’t going to let me touch them. I feel awful but I think the only way to get on top of it is going to be to keep him in for a bit I can open his stable so he can have a walk around the yard area but to get out riding I have to go across our fields which are muddy which will defeat the object won’t it? Or am I ok as he won’t be standing in mud just passing through it? I do have road access but it’s a busy road and except for a Sunday I’d rather not if at all possible.

My Appy will also be staying in for company and he also has very slight mud fever but he lets me clean and put cream on his so I’m not concerned.

Should I risk riding through the mud to get out? Or would you just leave him in with yard turnout for a bit?

I think I know the answers just looking for reassurance and others experiences as I feel terrible keeping them in but I can’t risk it getting worse if I can’t get near him…

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My old boy is suffering with mud fever at the moment. He's usually not too bad but with it being so relentlessly wet it is worse this year. I'm still turning out. He is 28 so he needs the movement. He's very stiff and sore on it in the mornings as he's been stood in all night. Once we reach the field he is moving a lot better and by lunchtime he is nearly sound. I cream it and bandage over night, then plaster cream on before turnout. All you can do is try to do your best

 

[Jellymoon]

I have same issue with a new one that’s just arrived with a few scabs up the front of the cannon bones and in heels, and am keeping mine in but he does have access to a bit of the yard, so am leaving the stable door open 24/7. I am still riding but sticking to the roads and arena until it’s cleared up.
When I do turn him out again, I have always found constantly washing the legs makes it worse and leaving the mud to dry is best.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My cob has had dermatitis, which *touch wood* is clearing up now with new hair growing. Hers was an allergic reaction and she got very wary of my putting cream on, threatening to kick. I treated her sores with tea-tree oil spray when they were fresh and with Silver Spray when they had scabbed over. She still wasn't happy but at least I could stay out of harm's way, as she waved her legs around.

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

My cob has had dermatitis, which *touch wood* is clearing up now with new hair growing. Hers was an allergic reaction and she got very wary of my putting cream on, threatening to kick. I treated her sores with tea-tree oil spray when they were fresh and with Silver Spray when they had scabbed over. She still wasn't happy but at least I could stay out of harm's way, as she waved her legs around.

That’s a good idea, I think sprays is going to be the way forward.

I have ended up with turning them out because I think my Appy will stiffen up (not too worried about him being out anyway because I can treat his legs as necessary and they aren’t very bad) and the Friesian is likely to get above himself and then be a handful to turn out so as I had managed to clean his legs yesterday before I got kicked I sprayed them with pig oil to waterproof them so hopefully that will do the trick. If it gets worse it will be a vet and sedation job I think but mentally I think they need to go out. I may reduce the amount of time they are out so they spend more time on the yard/in the stables but at least we are on the back end of winter now and it’s not like this in November. *thinking positive thoughts*