Mud Fever in Horses: Prevention and Treatment of Pastern Dermatitis

Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is a painful skin condition caused by prolonged wet and muddy conditions that affects horses' lower legs every winter.

Key Facts

Mud fever is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis and other bacteria that invade skin weakened by prolonged moisture
Horses with white legs and pink skin are at highest risk due to reduced pigmentation-related skin resilience
Characteristic signs include matted hair, scabs, oozing, swelling, and lameness in severe cases
Prevention focuses on minimizing mud exposure through track management, sacrificial paddocks, and leg protection
Treatment requires removal of scabs (which is painful and should be done carefully), cleaning, and antibacterial dressings
Severe cases can extend up the leg (rainscald) and may require systemic antibiotics and veterinary management

Welfare Considerations

Mud fever causes significant pain in affected horses — the inflamed, scabbed skin of the pastern and lower leg is tender to touch and painful at every step. Yet the condition is often not recognized until it is advanced, particularly in horses with feathering (long leg hair) that obscures the skin. Prevention through field management is more effective than treatment: creating dry standing areas, using sacrificial paddocks through winter, and applying protective barrier creams before turnout reduces incidence substantially. When mud fever does occur, treatment should be initiated early and should include appropriate pain management alongside topical therapy.

What You Can Do

Create dry standing areas in winter paddocks to reduce continuous mud exposure
Check under feathering regularly throughout winter for early signs of mud fever
Apply barrier creams to the pastern and heel area before wet turnout in susceptible horses
Treat mud fever early at first signs to prevent progression to severe lameness and cellulitis