Mud fever type scabs!

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Shoei

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Hi guys,
I noticed this eve my gelderlander has a few mud fever type scabs on his front heels. He is out 24/7 and there is 0 mud. He doesn't seem in any discomfort or itchy ( unless I pull at a scab which is understandable). He has 4 white legs as is a tobiano but only fronts effected. I have clipped them this eve so I could have a good look, not that he has much hair and lathered on wound cream. Any ideas of what it could be?
 
My ginger chap gets these on various bits of his body at various times, sometimes itchy sometimes not. For him I have found I just need to keep on top of them (welsh so has feathers- he is much better all over clipped!) with sudocreme with added sulphur powder.

Essentially he gets a low grade, localised bacterial infection as a result to random skin traumas - by trauma I mean such dreadful things as fly bites or heat bumps or for no apparent reason at all!
 
That's interesting as Chester has really sensitive skin! I wondered if he had overreached a little (unshod at back)
 
For interests sake the above (well more linseed but barefoot minerals) has made no difference to Frank's random skin.
 
This time of year if it's been humid Mudfever can develop. Wash with Nizoral shampoo, dilute in hand hot water, lather up well and leave for 10mins, then rinse off. Make sure that you wash all around the affected area.
I usually use an old face cloth as it's rough enough to remove loose scabs.

If this doesn't work then check all the feed you give for Lucerne (Alfalfa) products. Stop feeding them immediately as some horses develop photosensitisation to Lucerne. Also check for. Clover levels in your grazing.
 
My boy gets this in summer, never in winter. He lives out all year round and has 3 white feet and no fur on his heels when wearing his very fine summer coat. In his case it's caused by sunburn. I have spent a fortune on vet treatments and every lotion and potion and can say from experience now that washing daily with hibiscrub as soon as it breaks out, drying and covering with plenty of sudocrem is the most effective way of clearing it up quickly as well as keeping the areas shaded fromsun. After 4 summers of a very sore horse I have finally *fingers crossed* had a summer free of it by simply leaving overreach boots on all of his feet permanently which keep his heels in shade! (Obviously I remove the hind ones when riding and put suncream on instead)!
 
Mud fever doesn't need mud! It needs the bacteria and a bit of moisture. Humidity - or sweat - will do it. But other things can look like mud fever too - mites, sunburn, photo sensitivity caused by eating buttercups. All sorts. Treatment is similar though - at least to start with. if it could be mites you'll need a treatment from a vet.
 
My ex race horse who is solid black - no white feet or legs has had the same thing but only on one hind leg, 0 mud!

He was out at night but in during the day as he has some sort of weird immune going on and had laminitis at the end of the winter despite being on the thinner side, so I am careful re turn out and check feet and legs carefully every day. This condition developed in a 24hr period from nothing to oozing, pussing scabs to above his fetlock joints.

He had a course of antibiotics, as we feared it would turn into lymphangitis as it was so aggressive and nothing made a difference, the poor horse was on box rest.

In desperation we ended up putting on a hot poultice, then a dry poultice which helped lift the scabs followed by a generous coat of manuka honey and bandaging which was the only thing that shifted the infection. We are nearly clear now only a few flaky bits let but it has taken weeks! I might get to ride my horse again soon...
 
Can't emphasise more Nizoral as really worth having in your first aid box. The moment you see the raised hairs, wash with Nizoral.

Generally horses with white legs get Mudfever, but horses with dark coats get rain scald which is just the same as Mudfever
 
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