Whatever your mud fever treatment.... do you trim feathers??

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Crazydancer

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Reading through the various mud fever threads, it seems there are many treatments and theories, with no one solution working for all. So I guess trying a few to see how effective they are for your horse is the way to go.

One thing that is not often mentioned though, is do you trim first? My two are native part-breds (one WelshX, one ConnieX) so have some light feathering, but obviously not thick trad cob type. I do wonder if I should trim, to make treatment easier to apply, or to leave, as the feathers provide some protection?

What would the thoughts be on this?
 
I personally would trim but it really depends of whether you show as you will need the feathers for that reason.

Much easier to keep area clean and dry without hair.
 
Nope, don't show (other than local area veteran class with one) and would trim for that anyway..... so not thick feathering, just the usual fetlock fluff....
Seems somehow wrong to remove the 'protection', but I can see that it would make the area much easier to treat.
 
I've just found some on my WB, so not much feather on him. I was going to clip the area to treat tonight.
I guess in theory the "protection" from the feathers hasn't worked so you might as well clip it off!
 
Shysmum said:
Nope, and i use pig oil and sulphur. :)
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Shysmum, once I'm on top of it, I will be trying this as a prevention, as I've heard good things. Wouldn't want to put it on right now though as my mare has some scabs and sore patches. :(
As mine live out 24/7, it's been a godsend to have a few dry days!!
 
I have two Thoroughbreds and both have mud rash. One so badly she has cellulitis in a hind leg. I've never washed off legs before but this seems to work with her so we warm wash (not that she goes out anymore now), dry with a towel and rub hibiscrubb into her fur, so like you're scratching to get under the hair. Also a blather of udder cream for good measure sometimes. Seems to work as the rash has gone but she's got the cellulitis now :rolleyes:

PS. Mud rash doesn't like oxygen, hence why people trim legs so oxygen circulates the skin.
 
I asked my farrier OH this the other week as I remember last year what with my boy being in a field that was basically a bog (indestructo cob was lucky and only had a five pence piece sized bit of mud fever on one cannon bone by the end of it) that trying to see his heels was a complete nightmare because of the fluff!

He told me that although clipping them off would make it easier to see and treat if there was any mud fever taking the feathers off would remove the protection they give in keeping the mud away from his skin so this year i've left them on again and am playing another joyous game of hunt the heel :D

I do find though that if I coat his cannon bones, pasterns and heels in sudocreme (not appreciated by the bog beastie!) and then a slosh of baby oil on top seems to waterproof/mudproof him pretty well for a good few days.

The worst thing I ever tried last year was lincon muddy buddy mud fever prevention "cream" it was like glue and just seemed to stick the mud to him. It wouldn't brush out as it stayed moist and it wouldn't wash out with shampoo no matter how hard i tried! I had to wait till the field dried up (he was only stabled for a few weeks total over the course of the winter, he likes being out and gets a bit jumpy being in) and his feathers air dried before i could finally chip the c**p off :mad: Needless to say it got binned after that :rolleyes:

Sorry for the epic post and slight hijack :o
 
I would do a patch test with the POS in a very small area now - the sulphur is excellent at killing the bacteria in the wounded skin, and i've used it on active mud fever no probs - but do test a tiny area.
 
Shysmum said:
I would do a patch test with the POS in a very small area now - the sulphur is excellent at killing the bacteria in the wounded skin, and i've used it on active mud fever no probs - but do test a tiny area.
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Interesting - I just thought 'sulphur' and 'broken skin' and thought OUCH!!!
But I did notice that Keratax do a mud fever powder that has a high level of sulphur too..... may give this a go.
Just rationalising it, if horse does not already have mud fever I can see the value in putting a barrier on, like sudocream. But once scabs are present, putting a waterproof barrier cream over the top would just trap the bacteria underneath? But then you feel like you need to soften the scabs to get them off..... gah.... too many options, and a million different opinions!
 
Yes sudocream for active mudfever is a no-no. UNLESS you have managed to pick the scavs off, but this must be so painful for the horse. With POS you do not have to touch the scabs, the oil takes them off painlessly.
 
Shysmum said:
Nope, and i use pig oil and sulphur. :)
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^ this! And please NEVER remove the feathers! Our heavy Belgian draft has mega feather and lives out with pig oil and sulphur once a week. His feet don't get the time to dry out but I can tell you his feet are clean as can be!!! Once you get all the feathers out of the way his legs are dry and clean!
Feathers give your horse the best protection he can get!
 
My pony gets mf with & without his feather. So it's easier to clip & ensure I get oil rubbed in thoroughly & it means any sore patches are easier to spot.

I have never encountered one that got mf without feather but didn't if left alone.
 
I find trimming with scissors and comb, so that there is still hair lying in the right direction and the rain still drains off, is better than clipping the legs, which leaves the skin too exposed and doestn't allow water to run down the leg like it should. I think you need to trim a bit to deal with the mudrash and allow the air to dry it out etc.

That said, I've never had anything with serious feather, so it wasn't such a mammouth job scissor and combing!
 
I leave my mares feathers, unless she actually HAS mud fever.
When she had it, I had to take it all off to actually get to it to treat it properly. Once it healed and they grew back I didnt touch them afterwards and touch wood she hasnt had it since :)
 
Anyone tried the expensive but apparently amazing nano particle silver stuff, can't remember the company but black and yellow packaging. Bottle is tiiiiiny but seventeen quid !
 
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