Mud fever - Myth buster

By Harriet Linton

10 December 2009 16:20

We separate fact from fiction as vet Gil Riley busts the common misconceptions surrounding mud fever.

MYTH 1
You must pull the scabs off in order for the area to heal

GIL SAYS
It’s best to soften the scabs and allow them to drop off naturally using an antibiotic gel than pick them off, which is very painful.

MYTH 2
The bacteria can be transmitted through the air

GIL SAYS
This one’s definitely false – the bacteria that causes mud fever is present on the horse’s skin and in mud, and isn’t air-borne.

MYTH 3
The bacteria lives on the skin but is able to invade only when the skin is damaged

GIL SAYS
True. The bacteria can live dormant in the skin for some time, becoming active when the skin is compromised in some way.

MYTH 4
Constant washing weakens the skin, making your horse more prone to mud fever

GIL SAYS
It’s true that prolonged wetting of the legs can weaken the skin, so avoid hosing your horse’s fetlocks and pasterns unless they’re really muddy. If you do, always dry the legs after hosing with a clean towel.