Mud Fever
Mud Fever (Scratches) is caused by wet and mud and is more common in winter. The superficial layers of the skin on the legs and stomach become waterlogged and they then become penetrated by bacteria and results in scabs which then seal in the infection. In severe cases you can get a high fever and temperature. Mud fever is more prevalent in some areas of the country than in others. If you are in an area where it is common you will find it comes back year after year. In such areas, a strict regime must be followed in order to prevent the condition. In other areas it is caused by neglect and mismanagement
Prevention
Do not allow your horse to stand out in mud for long periods. If they live out try and keep an area of the field that is a bit higher and put lots of straw out to help them keep dryer and put up an electric fence to cordon the area off. I always moved my mare away from her field for at least two of the winter months. This gave her time to get over any mud fever and rest the field. Its all well and good moving the electric fence about but sometimes its better to get them away completely. If you are in livery, you should have more options to choose from than a live out horse next to your house.
- If the legs are clipped, use a lanolin or udder cream as a barrier. Apply it when the horse is dry before you turn them out.
- When bringing your horse in if they are muddy wash it off gently paying attention to the heels and dry with a towel, do not apply any creams until the legs are dry.
- If unable to wash off, apply soft Gamgee or softened straw with stable bandages. When dry in the morning the mud will easily brush off.
- Once your horse is dry remove all mud using straw or a cactus cloth, your hand and a very soft brush - not a dandy brush.
If the condition is quite extensive, consult your Vet. If its quite mild treat it yourself by keeping the legs as dry as possible, even if it means keeping your horse in for a few days. Clip the hair away and make sure you pick off the scabs with warm water and soap, rinse and dry thoroughly. Apply a proprietary healing ointment and depending on the severity of the case bandage over a non stick dressing.
I had a Arab mare with two hind white legs, she was a nightmare for mud fever, but just up the front of her legs no where else, very strange the vet said it had something to do with the light reflecting off the grass. Have you ever heard of that? The treatment I found to work best was udder cream, It forms a protective barrier which lasts quite a long time, it was also very good for my hands.
Cracked Heels
This is a form of mud fever and if neglected the open wounds become deeper and they are very painful. This causes lameness in horses. If the case is a mild form you can treat the area and your horse should be able to carry on as normal. As long as a healing ointment has been applied and you treat the same as for mud fever above.
As the heel is nearer the ground it is harder to keep clean so extra care is needed. After any work, make sure you attend to your horses heels and dress them accordingly. You need only consult a Vet if the problem is not a mild one.
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