What should you know about mud fever in horses?

Mud fever is irritation and inflammation of a horse's skin, usually on the lower legs, after prolonged exposure to wet, muddy conditions. It may also be called pastern dermatitis. The skin can become sore, scabby, cracked, or thickened, and hair may come away with the crusts. One or more legs can be affected. Wetness, mud, friction, and small breaks in the skin can allow irritation and infection to develop together. The condition is not the same as a fever in the horse's body.

Look for redness, warmth, tenderness, swelling, scabs, oozing, or a reluctance to let you handle the leg. Some horses stamp or rub the area. Mud fever can be encouraged by persistently wet turnout, dirty bedding, dense feathering that holds moisture, or repeated washing that leaves the skin damp. Similar-looking problems include mites, fungal skin disease, allergies, and other infections, so a veterinarian may need to examine the horse when the cause is unclear or the problem keeps returning.

Move the horse to a clean, dry area and reduce further contact with mud. Follow a veterinarian's advice about cleansing; harsh scrubbing, picking at firmly attached scabs, or applying household products can damage the skin. If washing is advised, dry the legs thoroughly afterward with a clean towel. Keep grooming equipment, stable surfaces, and shared items clean, and do not share ointments between horses without professional guidance. A veterinarian may recommend a suitable topical treatment and may check whether another skin problem is present.

Contact a veterinarian promptly if swelling is spreading, the leg is very painful or hot, there is marked lameness, pus or a strong odour, fever, or the horse seems unwell. Seek advice if the skin is not improving after sensible dry-care measures, if several legs are affected, or if the horse has a condition or treatment that weakens its immune response. Avoid bandaging over wet or infected skin unless a veterinarian has shown you how, because trapped moisture can worsen the problem.

Ask whether the changes fit mud fever or another skin condition, whether the horse needs a skin sample, which cleanser or treatment is appropriate, and how to keep the legs dry while healing. You can also ask when turnout is safe, whether feathering should be clipped, and which signs mean the horse needs a follow-up examination.