What is mud fever?

Mud Fever is a skin infection which can be caused by either wet muddy conditions or dry dusty conditions.

The science bit...

The infection is caused by two organisms:

• Dermatophilus congolensis (Bacteria / Fungus)
• Staphylococcus bacteria

The cause..

The cold, wet winters in the UK tends to make paddocks wet and muddy, which can result in the constant threat of mud fever for a lot of horses and owners. Horses stood with wet muddy legs for long periods of time means that the superficial skin layers become sodden and traumatised. In contrast, when horses are in a dry and dusty environment a sandpaper effect occurs on the horse's legs, which produces areas of broken skin and therefore causes mud fever. Both environments leave the skin susceptible to mud fever infection.

What to look for..

Mud fever usually occurs on the lower legs, although in sever cases mud fever can spread up the legs to the underparts of the horse's body. Horses with white socks / legs seem to be more susceptible to mud fever. Once the skin becomes infected it starts destroying the surface skin layers, matting the hair and creating crusty lesions, leaving a raw skin surface which will ooze with fluid. This fluid then dries to form a scab, which is the horse's body trying to fix the mud fever, protecting the infected area from the outside environment.

If left untreated...

The infection will extend deeper into the horse's skin and can then cause cellulitis, causing swelling which extends up the leg. The horse then becomes lame and can sometimes become quite ill due to the infection.

Treating mud fever...

STEP 1: Clean and dry legs
Allow the mud to dry and then carefully brush clean using a dry body brush, be on your guard for the horse kicking out as you are touching a sore and sensitive area. Try to distract the horse with a bucket of feed and a haynet.

STEP 2: Remove all of the scabs.
Here are some common methods and treatments for removing scabs:
Method 1
Soak scabs with lukewarm antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.

Method 2
Rub lots of baby oil into the scabs, leave for at least a couple of hours and then rub the scabs off with your fingers.

Method 3
a) Apply Sudocrem liberally to dry and clean legs every night and morning to soften the scabs. Within 2 to 3 days the scabs will come off. Then continue to apply Sudocrem for a further week.
b) Another method is to liberally apply Sudocrem to dry clean legs when you bring the horse in for the night. Then loosely wrap clingfilm around the affected areas, followed by some stable bandages to hold it all in place. This then intensifies the treatment and the scabs should wipe off with the cream after a couple of days.

Method 4
Mix sulphar powder and a good quality cooking oil to form a paste. Apply the paste to clean and completely dry legs, applying liberally to the affected areas. Keep the horses legs dry. The scabs will then fall off and you should destroy them to avoid re-infection. ( You can buy Sulphar from the pharmacy)

Method 5
Apply Zinc and Caster Oil cream to dry up the scabs

TOP TIP
When horses have scabs they tend to scratch them, to avoid this you can apply a soothing lotion to the scabs. Use a natural lotion containing Lavender and Tea Tree Oil which will help soothe the affected area and prevent scratching.

STEP 3: Keep legs dry, clean and free from scabs.
Once you have got rid of all scabs on the horse's legs you must keep the legs clean and dry to allow the infection to clear completely. If possible keep the horse stabled or turned out on dry grazing or in an all weather arena. You need to see if the scabs come back. If they do, repeat the first step but try a different method than before.
Some owners apply antibiotic creams to the horse's legs to help clear up the infection, this should only be done before scabs get a chance to form. Antibiotics will only be effective against Dermatophilus if it is applied onto the active organisms, so applying antibiotic treatments to scabs would be ineffective.

If symptoms persist and worsen call the vet. Your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics to clear up the infection and a course of bute. The vet may also prescribe steroid or antibiotic creams such as Dermobion and Fusiderm.

Staphylococcus infection
If the scabs seem painful for the horse and are tightly stuck to the horse's skin, your horse probably has a Staphylococcus infection. This is more difficult to treat due to the bacteria invading the horse's hair follicles deep in the skin. Your vet should prescribe drugs such as Potassium Iodine to help flush out the skin follicles and soften the scabs.

Preventing Mud Fever...

Land Management
Rotate your grazing to prevent your horse standing in wet muddy conditions. If you don't have enough area to rotate you may have to find alternative grazing. If you have an all weather arena which is secure and safe, you could turn your horse out in this until the ground has dried up.

Trim the legs
Trim the feathers to prevent mud clinging to the legs and to prevent anchorage for future scabs.

Clean and dry
When you bring your horse in from the field it is better to allow the mud to dry and then brush clean using a dry body brush. If you have to hose the legs down make sure you thoroughly dry the legs.

TOP TIPS

• Washing the legs with Hibiscrub helps to kill the bacteria
• Thermatex Wraps can be used to help dry the horses legs overnight as they are designed to wick away moisture from the legs.

In the mornings / before turning the horse out, apply a good barrier cream to the legs to provide skin protection against the wet and mud.

Barrier creams

There are various ointments and creams which horse owners can apply to the horse's legs to provide a waterproof barrier for the skin. However, this should only be undertaken once the Dermatophilus has been killed and there is no sign of new scabs forming on the legs. If you apply a barrier cream before you have killed Dermatophilus it will then protect the organisms from drying out and encourage multiplication which will worsen the infection.
There are many barrier creams for mud fever on the market, however you could try some of these alternatives which will cost less than most equine products:

Low cost barrier creams

• Pig Oil (This is a mineral based oil) and Sulphar
• Cows udder cream
• Petroleum Jelly
• Vaseline - but this can encourage sunburn so be wary when the sun comes out.

Chaps and Boots

Equilibrium Close Contact Equi Chaps
These are breathable chaps which the horse can wear for up to 12 hours with minimal risk of rubbing. These chaps would suit a horse who is out through the day and in at night, this will give the chaps time to dry or be washed ready for the next day's turnout. The chaps are priced at around £50 - £60 for a pair. The best price on Equine Compare (currently) is from 'Horses Horses'∞ who are selling them at £49.99

Turnout Socks
Various turnout socks are on the market, they are a cheaper alternative to Equi Chaps. However, some horse owners have reported that the turnout socks rub the horse's legs.
These retail at around £30

Don't let it spread...
Mud Fever should be treated as a contagious disease, the bacteria and fungus which causes mud fever can be passed to other horses via grooming equipment, boots, bandages and handlers hands. To avoid this, ensure that each horse has its own equipment and that handlers wash their hands with antibacterial soap or use antibacterial wipes before touching other horses.

Shop Around
To find and compare mud fever treatments and preventative products simply type in 'Mud Fever' on the Equestrian Products page of Equine Compare∞. Ensure you order by 'Relevance' and search by Title and Description.

Sources:
Horse's Health Bible Colin Vogel
The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual Tony Pavord & Marcy Pavord
We were also helped by members of equestrian forums.

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