Mud fever is a form of dermatitis which affects the skin around the heel
, fetlock and pastern. It is caused primarily by the bacteria Dermatophilus Congolensis which takes advantage of the wet and muddy winter conditions.
In these conditions the skin which is usually a strong and protective barrier, can be compromised due to remaining wet for long periods of time and the grit in the soil rubbing on their legs. Once there are lesions on the skin the bacteria is able to get in and cause infection.
Mud fever is more common on white/ non-pigmented legs. It is often considered that white skin is thinner and not as strong so gets damaged more easily. The signs that your horse may have mud fever include scabs, cracks or bleeding around the heels. The area will often be painful and when the infection takes hold can become hot and swollen.
The best course of action is to keep the horses legs clean and dry until the mud fever has gone. This is not always practical as many horses will not be happy to be kept stabled day and night and the condition can take several weeks to clear up. It is recommended to stable the horse overnight where possible to allow the legs to dry. Some people recommend hosing the legs off to keep them clean however this will keep them wet for longer. If you are washing your horses legs when they come in then it would be advisable to soak the scabs off using hibiscrub and to wash the legs with hibiscrub or another antibacterial wash. This will also mean that the legs are clean in the morning to apply a barrier cream. Where possible, towel-dry the legs after washing.
In extreme cases where the lesions are deep or where usual methods are not proving effective then it is worth discussing the condition with your vet as they may want to recommend steroidal creams or topical antibiotics. There are boots available that are specifically designed to turn horses out in, these are to keep the legs clean and may help if the horse is likely to suffer from mud fever.
With winter approaching quick and fast, now is the time to be vigilant and to look out for mud fever and if possible prevent it from taking place. A horses health is incredibly important and as the owner, it is your responsibility to maintain it.