Mud fever - prevention rather than cure?

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Twiglet

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As there seems to be a spate of mud fever at my yard recently, I'm looking at any preventatives that might decrease my boy's chances of getting it. Having spent a few months in minimal work due to injuries and feet, I finally feel like he's ready to up the ante a bit, and don't want it jeopardized by mud fever.

Can anyone recommend guards/preventatives etc?
Also, what do you guys find the best management routine for prevention of mud fever?
Currently he has his legs hosed thoroughly then Thermatex wraps applied immediately and left on overnight.

And I know this should be in veterinary but I'm hoping to order it over t'internet this morning and need advice!
 
i wouldnt hose, just let the mud dry and then brush it off. if you want to you can apply a barrier cream such as udder cream/salve which is great and cheaper than other products.
 
Well I have an ongoing battle with MF!
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I've used every cream, treatment etc there is!

I personally find that hosing does more harm than good unless you can ensure legs are THOROUGHLY dried before you leave for the night.

My own regime that is keeping on top of it now is :

If I'm riding :

bring in,
wash legs,
gently dry the excess water off
bandage dry hand towels to his lower legs and fetlocks,
leave him whilst I do my jobs etc.
Ride,
Before he goes out, I apply Keratatex mud shield powder. If find it's the best thing for George, and is definately the best if you have a feathery horse (I actually clip his feathers, but still prefer it)

If I don't ride, I don't wash his legs, brush the mud off in the morning and apply the keratex powder before he goes out
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Sometimes things do interfere with my plans, but this is how I would prefer things to be all the time
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Would never hose - leave mud to dry and then brush off. Keratex mud fever powder is good as a preventative. Excellent product is from www.mudfever.net - click on the free sample button. It is an oil-based product and really works.
 
Thanks you lot - helpful as ever!

I saw the Keratex stuff on Saturday and as I swear by their hoof products, I've got faith in their efficiency.
 
I agree, if you can NOT wash legs then don't, but as I have to put brushing boots/bandages on to ride it's not an option to put them on over wet mud.

I find having a good supply of clean dry hand towels invaluable. Stable bandages over the handtowels dry George's legs completely in about 30-40 mins.

I've actually just invested in some thermatex leg wraps to use as a quicker option to my bandages when I'm short on time. I'll let you guys know how I find them.

Sam x
 
I find that soaking G's legs and not drying them seems to give an even better festering ground for the bugs!!

I went away for a week recently, and my friend who was taking care of G for me, thought I'd told him not to hose, just to save him time! He hosed his legs every night (thinking he was taking extra care of him).

The result was a few days later, sore nasty scabs again
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I have never had mud fever in many years of hunting etc. This year I got a posh hose thingy up at the stables, so instead of leaving mud to dry decided would move on and hose it.
Hey presto, horse has mud fever.
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[ QUOTE ]
i wouldnt hose, just let the mud dry and then brush it off. if you want to you can apply a barrier cream such as udder cream/salve which is great and cheaper than other products.

[/ QUOTE ]

Replace the cream/slave with cheap asda's baby oil and this what we do!
 
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I've actually just invested in some thermatex leg wraps to use as a quicker option to my bandages when I'm short on time. I'll let you guys know how I find them.

Sam x

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Aside from mud fever prevention, I can highly recommend them! Fab product, despite being woodchip magnets.
 
I am exactly the same. Never had a horse with mud fever, have kept them in yards surrounded by people who religiously hose & scrub legs & then get mud fever.
I tend to do nothing & just have a good feel/groom at the weekends.
The other thing I avoid is stiff brushes on the legs, just a soft brush and fingers to avoid scratching the skin.
I also leave a bit of feather on.
 
I've had a few brushes with mud fever, some quite nasty, and I have found the best approach is just leave it alone!

Ours come in muddy, onto dry shavings beds, and are just left. The mud is brushed off when dry.

Works better than anything else we've ever done, including hosing/drying/powders and lotions.

Ours are out in a very muddy field from 8am to 6pm every day, they go out 24/7 in March til November, and they are doing brilliantly for no mud fever at all (rapidly grabs large wooden desk!!!)

I leave Asti's feathers on in winter too, protects well even though they aren't that plentiful, she only gets trimmed up in summer.
 
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I leave Asti's feathers on in winter too, protects well even though they aren't that plentiful, she only gets trimmed up in summer.

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I leave G's on too, unless he does get some scabs, then I trim the area so the air can get to it.
 
I ride with wet muddy legs! Have to admit, though, my hacking turnout leaves a bit to be desired!!
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Today, for hunting tomorrow, I will hose off her hooves only and then go out later and brush her. Head gets bathed though - shes grey!

I leave Dixies feathers on too, I'm sure God gave them for a reason.
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I don't do anything, they're going to get even more muddy and wet going through the fields. In fact the closest most of mine get to having their legs washed atm is when they are ridden through puddles.
 
I have a horse that got mud fever every year but then put on mudguard food supplement from NAF and nothing this year - even when he cut leg, I start using it in September and stop when the mud goes.
 
Never wash off the legs. The bacterial will multiply like mad.

Before you apply anything make sure you have cut away the hair, legs are completly dry. Use a hair dryer (on a protected circuit!) if necessary. Then apply cream.
 
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