Mud fever, or pastern dermatitis, causes painful skin lesions on horse legs during wet conditions. Prevention through management and prompt treatment significantly reduces suffering in affected horses.
Mud fever causes acute and chronic pain in affected horses. The early crusty lesions can be mistaken for simple dirt, but the underlying skin inflammation is painful and progressive without treatment. Horses with severe mud fever develop lameness, swelling, and systemic signs in cases complicated by bacterial cellulitis. The condition is highly preventable through good pasture management that avoids prolonged standing in wet conditions, but this requires investment in field drainage, sacrifice paddocks, and housing. Regular leg inspection during wet seasons allows early detection and treatment before welfare is severely compromised. Affected horses benefit from clean, dry bedding, leg wrapping, and veterinary-directed treatment of any secondary infections.