Mud fever in mares groin area?!......HELP

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Gwen

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Hi there,
I've just been away for Christmas and had someone feeding my mare while I was away. Anyway, upon getting back today and taking her rug off to give her a check over and a rub I noticed loads of scabs and bald patches all around her groin area and down her back legs. There is nothing in the pastern area though or on her lower legs at all which do tend to be muddier and wetter and where I would have expected to see mud fever if she got it.
I have tried googling mud fever in groin but haven't found anything. Is that what it is or could it be something else?
Also how can I treat it? I have hibbiscrub so I have cleaned the area with that and slathered it in sudocreme as that was all I had just now. She lives out 24/7 so bringing her in isn't an option. The scabs don't have any infected fluid underneath and do come off quite easy but she does seem quite sore.
Any help would be much appreciated as this is my first winter as a horse owner.
Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
 
Yes the scabs are quite small. There isn't any sticky liquid (if that's what exudate means) but it is quite crusty so think it may have passed that stage. There aren't any patches on her body at all or on front legs, just the top inside of the back two. How would be best for me to treat it?
 
I think you are probably OK with Sudocreme or you could ask vet to call if this does not work, there is usually something else eg teeth or a jab that can be done at same time. Try very dilute Nizoral rather than very dilute Hibiscrub to wash it if no improvement in a few days ............. use a big car sponge/bucket to wet the area.
In future you may need to make sure she is free of sweat after work. Don't get her lower legs wet if possible!
I recommend micronised linseed 100gms per day and minerals to improve skin immunity.
 
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Thank you for your advice. I had looked into micronised linseed but had heard people say that it can put weight on horses and my mate is prone to laminitis so don't want to risk her putting any weight on. Would this level be ok or would you feed an ex laminitic less?
 
100 gms at this time of year will be OK, yes you need to keep weight down esp when grass is lush, I try to keep weight on till mid Feb then slim down a bit till turnout, but laminitis is more due to sugars in diet rather than oils.
 
That's great. Will I be able to order this through my local feed merchant? As looked online and because of where I live (highlands) the postage is outrageous.
 
Gwen said:
That's great. Will I be able to order this through my local feed merchant? As looked online and because of where I live (highlands) the postage is outrageous.
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Charnwood Milling will quote, it is about £30.00 to mainland, so may be a good £5.00 or more extra, you will have to ask your supplier.
They do sell a few other things so you may be able to get a package deal.
 
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Is there any chance of her getting too hot in her rug? I knew a horse who got a mud fever type rash from overheating causing chronic mild sweating in that area, she was just constantly very slightly damp which allowed the bacteria to take hold.
 
we have a couple of ponies with this, it has been put down to mud fever, even though no oozing on the scabs. I have washed their legs with the Ruggle it shampoo/oil mix which has helped a lot
 
No she isn't over rugged at all and it's been freezing up here also, particularly while I was away. I have put a gate on the shed in her field that is normally just open to allow her to come and go. Clean bed down and hoping she will be nice and dry by morning so I can get a proper look at it and also get pig oil in her feathers, just incase.
I will have a look at the ruffle shampoo/oil too.
Going to check on her later and as long as all is well with her being in then at least I could keep her in until it clears up if necessary, she has plenty of room to move about in there etc.
 
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