Mud Fever
Causes
Mud fever is caused by the bacteria dermatophilus congolensis, which is present in mud and can lay dormant on the horse’s skin. Mud fever is one of the most common skin complaints and it occurs on the lower legs but can travel upwards to the upper legs and belly, especially on hunters that can get covered in mud all day. Other similar problems are cracked heels and rainscald, which occur in the hollows of the pasterns and on the back or face respectively.
The bacteria usually lies dormant and only causes a problem when the skin becomes damaged, allowing the bacteria to enter the wound and germinate, causing an acute inflammatory reaction. The skin can be broken in many ways: a small wound from an overreach, irritated skin from persistent contact with mud or water, irritation from grit or particles in mud, or from some arena surfaces, abrasive particles on dirty brushing or overreach boots.
Horses with heavy feather such as cobs and natives are more commonly affected as the feather traps the dirt against the skin. Also horses with white leg markings and therefore pink skin are more sensitive to the condition.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of mud fever can vary from mild lumps to very severe infection. Usually the skin oozes serum, which dries into scabs, creating a lumpy skin surface. The scabs trap the bacteria under the surface of the skin, allowing it to spread and cause more problems. The area can be painful to touch and there may be swelling.
Treatment involves carefulwashing of the area with antiseptic such as iodine or Hibiscrub; skin should be gently but thoroughly cleaned and the scabs should be gently removed (poulticed if necessary, not just picked off). The hair may need trimming away to aid cleaning and a wound gel or powder may be applied to protect the area.
The affected area will appear raw and will be sore, but removing the scabs is important for the healing process to begin. Once the skin is thoroughly dried the area can be treated with a good quality antibacterial cream. If bedding sticks to the wounds, rubber matting may be a better option, but if this is not possible then careful bandaging with clean gauze underneath is acceptable.
Once a horse has suffered from mud fever there may be a recurring sensitivity to the problem, so prevention is an important tactic in tackling mud fever. This is where many of the products available play an important role.
From the inside out
Mud fever is clearly a skin condition, however some companies have developed supplements to help combat the condition. NAF has a product called Mud Gard, which contains antioxidants, herbs, MSM and zinc, all ingredients known to improve skin condition. The theory behind the product is that if the skin is more resilient it is less likely to crack and allow bacteria to enter the wound. NAF also recommends that the supplement be accompanied by treatment with Mud Gard ointment and Teatree shampoo, allowing the possibility for three sales in one!
Brinicombe Equine’s Think Mud also works in the same way, strengthening skin integrity from the inside. Also containing MSM and zinc, Think Mud contains plant extracts and isoflavanoids to boost the immune system, helping the horse fight off infection.
Prevention is better than cure
There are many ways to prevent mud fever, but it is important to remember that knee-deep mud is not a prerequisite for mud fever. Excessive washing of the skin can cause damage that allows in bacteria. Horse owners that wash their horse’s legs to remove mud every day are risking mud fever without realising – if the legs are not adequately dried, the bacteria can enter sore skin and multiply rapidly. The best bet is don’t wash your horse’s legs and instead wait for the mud to dry and gently brush it off. If you do need to wash the legs make sure they are thoroughly dry afterwards; this may require paper towels, a clean cotton towel or even a hairdryer. Shampoos with tea tree or other antibacterial properties are good to use on sore skin, but some companies have introduced a specific range of products to treat and prevent mud fever. Robinson Animal Healthcare has developed Activ Wash, a multi-purpose antibacterial cleanser that helps to manage bacterial contamination. Net–Tex has introduced the Muddy Marvel Collection, three products to help prevent, soothe and clear up the condition.
Build a barrier
There is a huge range of barrier creams available to help form a protective film over damaged skin, preventing bacteria entering. Most of these creams contain antibacterial agents and are waterproof enough to stay on for a while but for a simple, cheap and effective product try plain old zinc oxide cream.
There are downsides to barrier creams though. Firstly, there is no guarantee that the creams will stay on in extremely wet and muddy conditions. Secondly, if the cream does stay on it may need to be removed before the horse is put to bed. The horse’s legs must be clean and dry as much as possible before being stabled, and a greasy barrier cream, if left on too long, won’t help.
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To clip or not to clip?
Heavily feathered breeds can be more susceptible to mud fever and it is advisable to trim the feathers away, however, don't necessarily clip the legs out completely as there will be no hair to provide protection. Short feathers on the legs will protect the fetlock and heels by allowing water to drip off.
Standard horse clippers may cut too closely and leave the skin unprotected, so try smaller trimmers as well as curved scissors to trim carefully.
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It’s electric
Although deep mud is not a prerequisite for mud fever, it does exacerbate the problem. Mud is nearly impossible to avoid in the winter months but you should try to think of ways to prevent areas becoming poached. Electric fencing is great in this situation and has a multitude of uses. If there is the space, you may be able to fence off small areas of the field in which to keep your horses, this leaves the rest to recover. If this is not an option then electric fencing can be used to fence off any really boggy sections of low-lying land that hold water, or even create a new gateway. Due to concentrated traffic in this area, gateways are a real muddy problem. By running electric fencing a few metres inside the gate, a new entrance to the field can be formed, and it stops horses congregating in the same area, pounding it to mud even more.
Gateways could really do with a bit of TLC in the autumn months, before the winter hits. Laying a hardcore surface can really halp to stabilise the ground at a gateway, or alternatively just improving drainage with better channels and ditches can help.
As always, if you are worried about your horse's health, consult your Veterinary Surgeon.
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