[HeartMyOTTB]

With the changes in weather, the paddocks at my barn get muddy. There isn't a great rotation system set up and the geldings all go out in one paddock. So my horse either stands in mud all day, or inside all day...

Since I would much prefer him out, I would clean his feet and legs thoroughly when he came in. But I must have missed a spot It seems he has just a little bit of mud fever on one leg. On the back just above his hoof. Its small, and like I said, only on the one foot. But he has had some swelling in his fetlock I thought was stocking up. But now I fear its the mud fever,

I do I get rid of it? Does it take a long time? And can he go outside while I treat him if the mud isn't bad?

 

[ShaNeighNeigh]

TREATMENT: first and foremost: keep his legs dry. wash his legs with an antiseptic scrub (if it is mild only once will probably do if more severe a couple times then thats its) and towel dry. keep his stall nice and dry ( standing in urine and manure can also cause this.)

PREVENTION : same as the first : keep his legs dry. if his legs are muddy wash them off with WATER ONLY (if you use soap everytime it gets rids of the natural oils that protect the skin from the bacteria in there first place) always Towel Dry his legs off, any dampness stuck in the creases can cause the bacteria to thrive.

don't not wrap wet legs (same reason as above).

applying desitin to the back of the horses pasterns before they go out to protect them from the mud, some have even used it to treat it.

if the mud dries up or is frozen hard, going outside should be fine.

 

[HeartMyOTTB]

Thanks! Very helpful. I'm glad someone took the time to post!

 

[sillybunny11486]

I would probably shave that leg. It will allow the leg to dry alot faster and attract less mud.

 

[drafts4ever]

Yeah shave. I just shaved the back of Caleighs legs, all four because she seemed pretty itchy and she has the beginning of some nasties so I'm glad we caught it now.
Shaving isn't pretty but it lets air get to it and it will heal a lot faster. Wash them, I do hers with head and shoulders.

 

[chevysmum]

Never heard of mud fever. My horse stays out 24/7 and it has been really rainy here all year as well. My horse looks like he stocks up in the hind legs sometimes but the BO never mentioned mud fever. After being ridden the swelling goes down. Can anyone elaborate on mud fever?

 

[sillybunny11486]

Its scratches.

 

[UnrealJumper]

Ummmm welll. Diego got it this summer because of the mud. When the hair got too long I shaved his leg, but everyday I had to pick of the scabs (gently and patiently). Then I would apply a little bit of tea tree oil to the open wound. Also keeping the leg clean was important.

 

[OdinsOwn]

My horse had scratches over the summer as well, and it was a pain to clear up. It took about 6 weeks until it was completely gone.
I shaved the legs so they wouldn't hold in moisture and tried numerous different things topically as recommended by a vet and other horse people. What worked best for him was a small amount of tri care ointment mixed with desitin to cover the area and keep it from getting wet again. In between that I would pick all the scabs off twice daily by using cowboy magic krudbuster to loosen them up.

I'm going to apply desitin to his pasterns this upcoming summer if we get too much rain to try and keep it from happening again.

 

[sicilianmama39]

Why do you have to pick the scabs off? We have alot of mud in our pasture and my husband says horses like mud ! What do I do to get rid of some of the mud so I don't have to have my horse get this mud fever?

 

[luvs2ride1979]

Never heard of mud fever. My horse stays out 24/7 and it has been really rainy here all year as well. My horse looks like he stocks up in the hind legs sometimes but the BO never mentioned mud fever. After being ridden the swelling goes down. Can anyone elaborate on mud fever?

It's a bacterial infection that gets in the skin and/or hair follicals. You will see itchy, irritated, red skin when it gets bad. The skin can also look dry and "cracked".

Google it and you will see a lot of good photos and treatments.