Mud fever recommendations

[Beccahh]

Me again

Last year my lovely 25 year old welshie developed mud fever .. we struggled to get on top of it and when actually though we turned a corner it swelled and got infected
Vet visit and all sorted not had any issues this summer( if you can call it that) he was blood tested and tested for Cushings but all came back fine .. I thought he might have not been feeling 100% hence why we struggled to clear mud fever

I’m assuming we will have the same issue this winter so trying to plan ahead Iv never really had to deal with it so can anyone give advice .. we had a few muddy buddy products and they helped .. mud boots were not great as he got them off .. I know not to continually wash his legs and let them dry and brush off .. but can anyone advise any other products and even your regime with dealing with mud fever

is it normal for horses to get older and becoming so demanding .. he’s always been a easy horse to keep and now we are constantly watching him

 

[teddy_]

Mine has just popped up with a patch on one hind. I’m getting on top of this with removing scabs with warm salt water, Derma Gel spray and then slathering in a Manuka honey gel and will swap to Flamazene when I have it!

Once on top of the mud fever, I cannot recommend Meddi Mud enough. After several episodes in the winter, this stopped any reoccurrence.

 

[Darkstar11]

My mare got it quite bad last year mainly on her hinds. I assume most peoples fields were a bog after all of the rain we have had! Aromaheel has worked really well on her as it’s a really thick consistency which doesn’t wash off easily and is antibacterial, but quite pricey. This year I’m going to try to start prevention measures early with pig oil, then if I see scabs, Aromaheel. I have also used the manuka honey/silver cream too which worked… but again pricey when your lathering it on most days!

I also considered mud boots but know she will find a way to lose them and I will spend the winter searching for them in the field like I already do for fly masks haha

 

[Follysmum]

Heel to hoof and meddi mud are my top 2

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I found the year I dropped the balancer Arabi got mud fever really bad so I would make sure they are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.

I tend to use the Lincoln powder and don't keep washing it.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Is it on white legs? If so try Milk Thistle, sorted my boy who kept getting pastern dermatitis on his white legs. He had a year completely free of it but I stopped it the summer that we had decided would be the last for our two boys and it came back then in June and dry weather.

 

[Hackback]

As regards a cure I'd go straight to the vets as a first port of call. For a preventative I guess it depends on what is causing the mud fever - whether it's a simple infection from the soil or sun sensitivity etc.

For my own white legged boy I want to thank whoever it was on here that recommended filtabac. As soon as he developed the tell tale dry patches on his heels I started using filtabac for the day time and the vet's own mud fever cream when he comes in at night. So far so good and the dry patches have gone. Last year it quickly developed into horrible Vasculitis, thought to be caused by photosensitivity, so I was keen to get a hold on it early.

 

[Jambarissa]

My current ones never seem to be affected but previous horses have. I don't think there is a one size fits all solution.

Making sure diet is up to scratch is the first thing, there are mud fever supplements but probably anything that supports the skin and coat and reduces inflammation might be useful.

For prevention don't try to waterproof legs with pig oil or similar, it's not breathable or antibacterial so will just trap bacteria near the surface. If you have a hairy horse it's fine on long feather but not short areas. The powders are of some use, they're mainly a mix of flowers of sulphur and zinc so anti bacterial and waterproofing and should soothe dry skin a little.

Keep an eye out for the earliest signs, dry or cracked skin then start treating. There are so many options: silver, zinc, copper, natural treatments like honey or sulphur, prescription antibacterials. If something isn't working try another active ingredient.