Mud fever - what to do

By Harriet Linton

10 December 2009 16:28

How to prevent, treat and cope with this painful condition, with real life advice from experts and readers. Don’t let your horse near a muddy paddock until you’ve read this.

1. Many conditions look very similar to mud fever, so make sure you know what you’re treating and, if in any doubt, call your vet. Expert advice and the right treatment from the outset can save wasted time and money in the long run.

2. If your horse is standing knee deep in mud all day, the mud fever won’t go away no matter how well it’s treated. Keep your horse in or turn him out for a few hours in a well-drained, dry field or arena.

3. Carefully clip the hair away from any affected areas.

4. Wash the area thoroughly using warm water and, once all the mud and dirt has gone, clean it with very warm, diluted Hibiscrub solution. It’s important the water is warm as this will open the pores and allow the Hibiscrub to penetrate.

5. Once clean, leave the warm Hibiscrub solution in contact with the skin for five minutes and then wash it off – again with very warm water.

6. Apply a wound gel – don’t use ointments as an initial treatment. Your vet may prescribe Fuciderm, an antibiotic gel that penetrates the skin, as this is highly effective. If the legs are swollen or painful to touch then a course of antibiotics will be necessary.

7. Leave the area open to air. Bandaging traps moisture on the skin’s surface, promoting the growth of bacteria.

8. Above all, keep the area dry, even if that means keeping your horse in for a few days.