How to Treat Mud Fever in Horses

How to treat mud fever in horses

Mud fever — also known as cracked heels or pastern dermatitis — involves sores, redness and scabs, particularly around the fetlock joint. It usually starts when the thin and sensitive skin of the heel area is damaged by things such as dirt, moisture or rubbing. 

Here, experienced equine vet Johanna Habbe explains how to treat mild cases of mud fever at home

Mud fever symptoms

Cracks and scabs, mainly around the heel
These may weep and harden into lumpy patches
Warmth
Soreness
Swelling
Redness may occur
Bad cases can cause lameness

What causes mud fever in horses?

When the skin becomes damaged and wet, bacteria or fungal infections can take hold, causing sore areas that become bigger and bigger. As there can be many different causes of the condition, there is no single treatment to cure all cases, but here are some tips to manage milder ones. 

If inflammation becomes severe, mud fever can lead to lymphangitis [extreme swelling of the lymph vessels, usually in the lower limb], with swelling along the entire lower leg. This always requires veterinary care.

Treating mud fever — a step by step guide

Start by washing the affected area clean with Hibiscrub, with plenty of warm water. Massage the Hibiscrub in thoroughly and leave on for 10 minutes. This will soften any scabs and eventually, after a few days, they should fall off. You should NOT pick or tear them off, but it is important for them to come off to enable you to clean under them, where the bacteria lurk.
Carefully rinse off the soap.
Dry gently but thoroughly with a clean towel.
Apply an antiseptic gel or Vaseline, which will soften the scabs 
Once the scabs have fallen off, apply an ointment such as Vetramil Honey Ointment, Absorbine Silver Honey Rapid Wound Repair ointment, or a similar ointment containing Manuka [which has natural antiseptic properties]  
Do this once or twice daily for five to seven days. If the infection persists, or looks worse, it's time to call a vet.
Further tips for softening scabs: Apply vaseline  and wrap the treated area with Clingfilm for a couple of hours. Make sure it is secure, but not too tight (you should be able to insert a finger around the top). If the Clingfilm seems likely to slip, put a stable wrap on top for support. Keep an eye on the horse and remove the clingfilm if there are signs of discomfort.

How quickly should you treat mud fever?

If the infection is not treated quickly, it can spread up the lower limb. A common complication is lymphangitis (inflammation of the lymphatic vessels), which results in pronounced swelling. Lymphatic vessels normally transport fluid away from the tissues, but when the lymphatic vessels are inflamed, it accumulates, causing pronounced swelling. The condition can become chronic if it is not treated in time, leaving the horse with a so-called elephant leg.

Can you exercise a horse with mud fever?
Providing the horse is not in pain or lame, continuing to exercise is a good idea, as this usually helps swelling to reduce. If the sores and swelling are causing pain and lameness, consult your vet. 

How to prevent mud fever in horses

• Keep the heels clean and check them every day.
• Brush off mud when it has dried. Hosing off can be good, but doing this too much can cause more problems than it solves.
• See if your horse will allow you to gently blow-drying his legs with a hair dryer (not too hot!). Finding ways to dry the legs completely is important as moisture can worsen the infection
• Try to minimise turnout in muddy conditions
• Keep your stable dry and clean
• Check that brushing or tendon boots are not causing chafing
• Take particular care to wash off legs if you exercise on newly gritted roads, as salt can be irritating to the skin. Then dry off or blow dry the legs completely.

Feathers provide protection against infection

Fetlock hair protects the heel from dirt and moisture. Some horses have a lot of feather and therefore have better protection.

Many horse owners trim the heels because they find it easier to keep the area clean and because it looks tidier, but this is a matter of taste. Either you leave the fetlock hair on for protection, or you cut it off and keep the heel clean yourself. Whatever you choose, it's important to feel for mud fever in the hair every day. Bear in mind that unpigmented, pink skin of the type you find under white areas of the coat is particularly susceptible to mud fever.

Good stable hygiene is also important to prevent mud fever. Skip out at least once a day if the horse is stabled but partly turned out each day, and at least twice a day if fully stabled, eg on box rest. 

When should you call the vet for mud fever? 

If there is no improvement after these steps, or it gets worse within five to seven days, contact your vet before the lymphangitis develops.

If necessary, they may take samples of damaged skin for analysis, to help identify the precise cause of the infection, and thus, the most effective treatment. If the horse has lymphangitis, treatment is often supplemented with anti-inflammatory medication.