Mud fever is very common in the wet months of the year. It is caused by an organism called Dermatophilus congolensis which is a bacteria which has many similarities to a fungus! It can live in the soil for years and anytime your horse has a small defect in its skin it can penetrate it, multiply and set up an infection.

What will I see?

It is usually seen on the lower leg and your horse will have scabs and crusty exudates. If the infection gets established it may be very painful for your horse, its legs may swell and it may be lame. It is more commonly seen on horses with feathers and on white legs.

How can I treat my horse?

If your horse has feathers unfortunately you need to trim them off. Using a diluted antiseptic such as hibiscrub the legs must be cleaned and all the scabs removed, sometimes you need to soak the leg to loosen the scabs. You MUST then dry the leg. This MUST be done daily!

If it is not clearing up with this basic treatment your Veterinary surgeon may prescribe antibiotic cream to apply. Sometimes you may also need a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

How can I stop my horse from getting mud rash?

Keep your horses legs clean from mud on a daily basis and dry them carefully. Keep an eye out for any small scabs forming and keep on top of it!