Preparing for Mud Fever

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winchester

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My boy gets really bad mud fever - i have read about pig oil and sulpher - is it any good? When do you start applying it? Has anyone got a link where i can buy it online?

Do you apply it thick all over the legs? How often do you top it up?

He lives out 24/7 as hates being in the stable!!!

Any other producs or ideas etc?
 
I think it can depend on the area and what type of mud you are on.
We have clay and unfortunately as it gets so churned up inevitably those who are out in it 24/7 end up with some degree of mud fever. Thankfully, my girl loves her stabe so is happy to come in but that doesn't help you.

However, someone once suggested that mud fever is an infection and as such to fight mud fever, we should focus on the horses immune system. If you don't feed your horse at the recommended levels (as majority people don't need to) you might find that adding seaweed or balancer will give your horse the 'good' bits that he needs. And should help him fight the infection.

This is only an idea and I am not sure how successful it would be. And as i say some ground is just so bad that I dont think there would be much you could do to fight it. I know there are many sprays and products on the market and it could be trial and error as to how they work.
 
Thank you for your reply! Im in North London and on thick thick Clay!

He is on Top Spec Feed balancer, but thats it as he is a fatty!

He has terrible skin and gets bacterial rashes in the summer (like mud fever scabs all over in certain places) and also gets this when he gets too much sun on his skin!

His skin is a nightmare vets have looked and just say wash with hibiscrub and put sudo cream on - but if i can help the mud fever before it start - would be a good help!

We put the Turn out boots on him last year - was a great help but - he got mud fever above his knees!!!
 
Brincombe equine - "Think mud" works wonders, prevents mud fever and also clears it up within 10-14 days of being used if its already present. Was the best thing I ever bought for my horses to help with mud fever :)
 
I've tried every lotion and potion known to man, but the one that works every time is Keratex mud fever powder (although there are other brands making something very similar I think). It kills any existing mud fever infestation almost overnight, heals the sores and waterproofs the legs, so I am absolutely confident that if you start sprinkling it on before the mud appears, you should be fine. You need to lift up the feathers or fur to get the powder as close to the skin as possible and there is quite alot of wastage but a tub lasts for ever. I apply it in the mornings before my horse is turned out, and once or twice a week is plenty. Just remember not to brush it out.
 
Interesting post as I battle with this on the white back socks that my gelding has, every year. I've tried everything. Problem I have this year is due to his age and him getting stiff and filled legs my vet wants him out as much as possible to keep him moving. I then have him very sore with mud fever...... Not tried pig oil so might go down this route.
 
fatpiggy said:
I've tried every lotion and potion known to man, but the one that works every time is Keratex mud fever powder (although there are other brands making something very similar I think). It kills any existing mud fever infestation almost overnight, heals the sores and waterproofs the legs, so I am absolutely confident that if you start sprinkling it on before the mud appears, you should be fine. You need to lift up the feathers or fur to get the powder as close to the skin as possible and there is quite alot of wastage but a tub lasts for ever. I apply it in the mornings before my horse is turned out, and once or twice a week is plenty. Just remember not to brush it out.
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Second the Keratex powder, it is amazing! I tried a lot of things but this worked straight away. I have also started feeding Brewers Yeast into her diet and this has helped her coat a lot and should help towards the mud fever this winter. Its not expensive so worth a shot. :)
 
With the keratex power - do you just sprinkle it on and then rub it in? Does it not look like it is covering much as it is powder?
 
My boy had mud fever so bad 3 years ago we had to get the vet out to administer antibiotics twice. He was raw poor soul. So I started on the pig oil and sulphur after reading about it online and have never had to deal with mud fever since.

I apply it every 6 weeks all year round - keeps the white bits of his legs looking clean and shiny too - always do a patch test if you are going to use it though as I have heard of peoples horses having reactions to the sulphur - I know one person who only uses the pig oil without the sulphur and has had good results also :)
 
Another thumbs up for Sudocrem - or Tesco equivalent nappy rash cream.

Our TB has white socks and is prone to it. This was the only stuff which worked, slap it on thick and use it as a barrier. By far the cheapest effective option.
 
To reduce the incidence of mud fever you need to ensure that the body is getting sufficient Copper & Zinc - both help maintain skin strength.

Have on hand a pump spray bottle with a diluted mix of Nizoral shampoo and water. When you bring him in give his legs a spray with it.

At the first sign of mudfever thoroughly wash the legs with Nizoral working well into the skin. Leave to dry.

Mud fever starts of as a fungal infection so if you catch it fast then you will avoid the infected with bacteria stage.

Keep an eye on the lie of the hair, mudfever causes the hair to stand on end. So look out for raised areas.
 
Our horses live out 24/7 on clay. We were recommended to use pig oil and sulphur and none of the horses have had mud fever. Theresaf has a great PM of information about using it.
 
Hi Winchester. You are supposed to lift the hair up and puff the powder into the roots then smooth it down and dust over the top but I tend to put a load into the palm of my hand and sort of ram it into the roots :). It is very very fine and feels slippery. I also use it for any skin problems I come across instead of wound powder and so it is multi-use. I would imagine it would be great on horses with rain-scald. I've never liked the idea of wetting the legs of a horse that already has mud fever as you just soften the skin. Keratex goes on dry AND keeps the legs dry so it has a double effect.
 
Just a point to make sure you are dealing with mud fever and not feather mites. Many owners think their horses have mud fever when they are actually mites.
 
I havent really tried any supplements to be fed to help mud fever so cant really comment but a good barrier i found was cow salve which is used for cows udders but its really good stuff :)
 
Kaylum said:
Just a point to make sure you are dealing with mud fever and not feather mites. Many owners think their horses have mud fever when they are actually mites.
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I haven't heard of this before? Can mites make it look like a scabby patch as my boy has a small patch at the moment near his pastern, which I thought was mud fever (which he is very prone to). He isn't very hairy though in that area.
 
DougalJ said:
I haven't heard of this before? Can mites make it look like a scabby patch as my boy has a small patch at the moment near his pastern, which I thought was mud fever (which he is very prone to). He isn't very hairy though in that area.
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Thats correct. Its usually feathered horses that get mites, you need a vet to confirm its mites or mud fever as you can be treating the wrong thing and the treatment therefore wont work.

Finer horses i.e. blood horses dont get the reaction to mites so dont have scabby legs.

Was just pointing it out as I know a few people have posted on here about mud fever before and have found out its actually mites they are dealing with. :)
 
Kaylum said:
Thats correct. Its usually feathered horses that get mites, you need a vet to confirm its mites or mud fever as you can be treating the wrong thing and the treatment therefore wont work.

Finer horses i.e. blood horses dont get the reaction to mites so dont have scabby legs.

Was just pointing it out as I know a few people have posted on here about mud fever before and have found out its actually mites they are dealing with. :)
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Ok thanks for that, interesting to know. He is a warmblood so probably not mites? I have treated it this week as mud fever and the patch is slowly disappearing now. Why he has it when there is not a dot of mud out there, I don't know. However I know that if they have a nick or the slightest cut, bacteria can set in. Bracing myself for this winter bug bear of mine as I have to battle it every year with my gelding. I'm going to look into homeopathic treatments too this year.
 
fatpiggy said:
I've tried every lotion and potion known to man, but the one that works every time is Keratex mud fever powder (although there are other brands making something very similar I think). It kills any existing mud fever infestation almost overnight, heals the sores and waterproofs the legs, so I am absolutely confident that if you start sprinkling it on before the mud appears, you should be fine. You need to lift up the feathers or fur to get the powder as close to the skin as possible and there is quite alot of wastage but a tub lasts for ever. I apply it in the mornings before my horse is turned out, and once or twice a week is plenty. Just remember not to brush it out.
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Completely agree! It's great stuff
 
fatpiggy said:
I've tried every lotion and potion known to man, but the one that works every time is Keratex mud fever powder (although there are other brands making something very similar I think). It kills any existing mud fever infestation almost overnight, heals the sores and waterproofs the legs, so I am absolutely confident that if you start sprinkling it on before the mud appears, you should be fine. You need to lift up the feathers or fur to get the powder as close to the skin as possible and there is quite alot of wastage but a tub lasts for ever. I apply it in the mornings before my horse is turned out, and once or twice a week is plenty. Just remember not to brush it out.
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Second this!
Also try the Keratex blue medicated spray, got it last year in a 'twofa' deal, it is really good and easier to use than HibiScrub.
 
It could be that you are seeing mud fever when there is no mud because the morning dew is soaking his fetlocks and pasterns and making them sore - same principle as mud causing mud fever but without the mud.
 
Helbert said:
Second this!
Also try the Keratex blue medicated spray, got it last year in a 'twofa' deal, it is really good and easier to use than HibiScrub.
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Do you use this only on their legs, just the powder and turn out? Or do you powder over night. My thoughts are if I powdered my horse back white socks then turned him out in Feb knee deep in mud the powder would come off straight away?
 
Hi DougalJ
I hose off mud. Spray on blue stuff (use a sponge and froth it up on any really sore bits). Leave spray on to dry then puff on powder. I find the powder stays on (think it must be waterproof). Horses are out all day whilst I'm at work and I do this each evening and morning if one of them is suffering. The powder comes in a big bottle and seems to last for ages. Just don't drop the bottle as a massive cloud of talc escapes and you'll be sneezing for ages - which I have done countless times!
 
Helbert said:
Hi DougalJ
I hose off mud. Spray on blue stuff (use a sponge and froth it up on any really sore bits). Leave spray on to dry then puff on powder. I find the powder stays on (think it must be waterproof). Horses are out all day whilst I'm at work and I do this each evening and morning if one of them is suffering. The powder comes in a big bottle and seems to last for ages. Just don't drop the bottle as a massive cloud of talc escapes and you'll be sneezing for ages - which I have done countless times!
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Thanks for this Helbert - I'll give it a go! By about Feb I'd smear goose fat on him if it stopped the mud fever....now there's an idea! :0)
 
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