11/11/2022
🐎🐎🌧🌧
With the lovely wet Welsh weather we've been having, there is an increased chance of Mudfever (aka Pastern Dermatitis)
Mud fever is irritation/inflammation of the skin in the pastern (the bit between the fetlock and the hoof). It can go up higher as well and involve the fetlock.
Mud fever is more common during the winter, because... well... the weather explains it all really... 🌧🌧
Mud fever has many causes. Often it is caused by the horse standing in wet and muddy ground, which weakens and damages the skin. This damaged skin is then an entry port for bacteria and other organisms. Another causes could be feather mites, which is most commonly seen in horses with thick feathers, or a disorder of the bodies immune system.
Treatment will obviously depend on the cause, however general mud fever, caused by wet ground is treated by removing the horse from the wet ground if possible and putting them in a dry stable (ideally with shavings, as it helps soak up the moisture), even a couple of hours a day can make a difference. Let the muddy legs dry and then brush it off the mud. Be careful with brushes that are too abrasive as this can cause damage to the skin, which can be an entry port for bacteria. Barrier creams can cause mud fever to get worse, as it creates the perfect environment between the wet legs and the greasy cream for bacteria to grow.
In conclusion: Dry legs are the best way to treat (early) mud fever! And also the best way to prevent it. (However... as I'm looking out the window... assuming there is even 1 dry field out there, is just silly...). So make sure you check your horses legs.
In some cases, the skin has already become infected, and then we may advise to clean the legs with diluted chlorhexidine solution, but then you need to dry the legs really well after. In rare occasions we need to treat with antibiotics to get the infection under control. Pain relief / anti-inflammatories (bute) are often given to make the horse more comfortable and reduce the inflammation in the skin. In some occasions steroids are used to treat the mud fever.
This is just a short summary, but if you would like more information or you suspect your horse is suffering from mud fever, don't hesitate to give us a ring, or you can text or What'sApp us on 07557805031 with your contact details and we can ring you back.
