What would you do?

[moodymare1987]

The bridle paths near me are soo muddy, i mean waterlogged. But always brush mud of bens legs etc. But noticed today he is getting a scabby leg, Only the one but I know someone else on the yard her horse is full of it on all legs and is really bad.

So was thinking what i should do, i cleaned his legs with hibiscrub today and took him on the roads to keep it dry and keep mud out and give it chance to heal. But am i right in doing that, i dont want his legs being covered in it.

It is only a little bit but i want to get it while its not serious?
Any ideas?

 

[sylvapak]

i would try and avoid muddy bridleways until at least his leg is better. The ground should start getting better very soon... as feb is the last month of winter!

So i would look after his leg for now and try not to contribute to it even more by taking him round the muddiest bits.

when you do go on a hack get all the mud off... make sure it is dry and put LOADS of vaseline over the heels etc and white bits to provide a barrier.


hope this helps

 

[moodymare1987]

Thanks but its not on his heels, its on the front of his leg? But a girl on my yard her horse has it really bad as she keeps taking it out but not washing its legs.

Its not really bad its just a few little scabby lumps you cant even see them just feel them. I have been avoiding paths and doing roadwork.

And Its not like ive left the mud on his legs as I havent I always get the mud off properly.

Ooh yeah roll on summer i just want to make sure i was doing the right thing to help his leg. xx

 

[sylvapak]

sounds like you are doing the right thing... if its on the front of his legs then you could just get some cheap brushing boots or something? ...just keep an eye on it... the odd muddy bridleway should be ok... just as long as the whole hack isnt horrible

 

[moodymare1987]

The whole hack isnt horrible only certain bits where wardens are doing work. I would have thought brushing boots would make it worse as the rubbing and things etc.

I will alternate what we do depending on the weather. thanks x

 

[AmyMay]

Best thing you can do is wash the legs off before you put him to bed tonight - and then in the morning plaster his legs with an emolient lotion like udder salve. If you haven't got any of that (or can't immediately get any) vaseline will do. This will help protect your horses legs, and also help with healing.

Ideally avoid mud for the next week or so - but that's obviously not always possible with turning out etc.

Don't keep washing the legs as this will just make the situation worse.