Mud Fever

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JosieSmith

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Haven't got it yet (thankfully). But we had it bad last year, to the point where vet had to come out and sedate her and clip it all off, not nice. This year I have her on full loan and I absolutely will not let it get to that point.

I have some turnout boots, and I have been advised to start putting baby oil on now so it can sink in before the muddy weather starts. My question is, should I start with the oil, or wait until winter and then put the boots on without the oil. Obviously I can't use both as the boots would rub or fall off if they were put on over oil, so I'm undecided as to which method would be best.
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Also, no matter which method I choose, when I'm washing the mud off at night (if any) should I maybe use nizoral shampoo, even if she hasn't got any scabs? She's got greasy cannons so it would probably benefit that, but didn't want to use a medicated shampoo if she hasn't got any scabs, as I wouldn't want to aggravate the skin and leave it susceptible to mud fever
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Yes, didn't think to mention that. When I wash them I do dry them as thoroughly as possible. Though at weekends I leave the mud to dry and brush it off the next morning when I've got more time, but then it occurred to me that maybe the bacteria had got into the skin when the mud dries so that's maybe not such a good idea either.
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I think most people will have a different way of dealing with this problem. Because I keep my horse at home, I have clean, dry towels etc, to hand. My TB has no feathers, but I had a half bred horse with a little feather and I have to say I trimmed that feather off. I believe that clean legs dry quicker and more thoroughly than muddy legs. So I personally always hose my horses legs off at night.

I finally rinse the legs in clean water that has a slosh of Hibiscrub in it and then I towel the legs dry. I manage to keep clear of mud fever if I do it this way (we have heavy clay soil).

Finally, I always found that in really wet periods, keeping the horse stabled at the weekends, would help get you through the wet week days.
 
Good idea thanks. Mine doesn't have any feathers as she's an arab so no probs there, but she's grey and I've heard that they get it worse (don't know if there's any truth in that). Either way, she's very susceptible and it cannot get as bad as last year, it was so awful for both of us (and 6 weeks box rest = not good!) Think I'm just gonna have to be extra extra vigilant this year and catch it before it has a chance to even start
 
I have the same problem and I am thinking about it now, one poster on here said to use baby oil mxed with lavender oil, I have also heard olive oil is just as good.

I don't use shampoo, just hibbi scrub to wash the scabs, and dry off every night with clean towels.
 
my horse had it really bad a few years ago to point where it ll cracked and bled and every time he walked they opend up. i am not a fan of washing either. I bring i every night if paddocks are wet or grass is wet which usually is and allow to dry off overnight. I would use turnout boots too. One thing i found really good was a powder in a white tub with blue writing i think called Keratex. put it on an rub it into hair and it kills the bacteia which causes mud fever. Also used a pink sort of grease in a gold tub to treat it when they get it as soon as see it and wokrs really well.
 
I wouldnt wash the legs at all, that softens the skin and hence promotes entry of the bacteria. I also wouldnt use baby oil either. It may offer some water repellancy but it also softens the skin.

Use boots when the horse is turned out, with a thick barrier cream such as nettex muddy marvel on the heels. IMO mudguard and udder cream are too thin, they come off too easily. Muddy marvel stays put even in a bog.

If you do get any scabs use liquid paraffin to soften them and leave the legs open to the air when the horse is in. i.e. dont put creams on when the horse is stabled. The bacteria is anaerobic so it wont survive if exposed to air, hence why you need to remove scabs.
 
i never wash the legs off in winter, just pick out feet and wash hooves to coronet band. all horses on deep full beds (shavings) and the mud fairies come in during the night and legs all clean in morning!! straw is even better to dry and clean mud off!! by repeatedly washing you take away all natural oils which protect the skin, and you also alter the natural ph balance, resist the urge to use a brush to wash off as it damages the dermal layer and the bugs get in. resist the urge to pick etc. if scabs appear use a wet animilintex poultice and the scabs will soak of. no pain. then leave in for a couple of days! i have hardcore in all gateways to try to reduce standing in a bog.
 
keretex mud fever powder is very good (as said by scribble) can be applied and rubbed in prior to any symptoms. depends whether your mud has the said bugs in it. varies around the country!
 
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