Mud fever can be a real challenge for horse owners, especially during wet and muddy seasons. But what exactly is it, how does it develop, and most importantly, how can you protect your horse?
What Is Mud Fever?
Mud fever is a skin inflammation that usually affects the horse’s pasterns. It’s caused by prolonged exposure to moisture and poor hygiene, leading to redness, scabs, and sometimes oozing skin. If left untreated, it can worsen, causing pain or even lameness.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Excess Moisture: Mud, wet bedding, or persistent dampness can soften the skin, making it vulnerable.
- Poor Hygiene: Dirty stalls or paddocks can introduce bacteria or fungi to the skin.
- Weakened Immune System: Horses with nutritional deficiencies or metabolic issues are more at risk.
Prevention Is Key
- Keep Things Clean and Dry: Ensure your horse’s stall is clean and dry. Minimize exposure to muddy pastures.
- Regular Grooming: Check and clean your horse’s legs daily, ensuring the area is dry before applying creams or oils.
- Support Healthy Skin: Feed supplements rich in biotin, zinc, and essential fatty acids to promote strong, resilient skin.
When to Call the Vet
If mud fever doesn’t improve with care, open sores develop, or your horse shows signs of lameness, it’s time to consult your veterinarian.
Stay proactive and keep your horse’s skin healthy – your horse will thank you for it!
Which Hestevard Product Can Help?
Feedback from Anna:
"Massive improvement after just 10 days! What impressed me most was that he happily ate the Duraglow straight from a bucket. He’s an 11-year-old Tinker who had to stay in his stall for 8 weeks due to a laminitis flare-up, and during that time, his skin went completely haywire."
