Horse Mud Fever and Skin Welfare

Mud fever (equine pastern dermatitis) causes painful skin lesions in horses kept in wet conditions and requires prompt treatment and environmental management.

Key Facts

Mud fever is caused by bacterial infection (Dermatophilus congolensis) and other organisms in wet skin
Prolonged wet conditions soften the skin and allow bacterial penetration of the lower limbs
Grey horses and horses with pink skin are more susceptible due to photosensitivity
Treatment involves removing scabs under sedation, cleaning with antibacterial wash and keeping dry
Prevention through turnout management, waterproof barrier creams and dry housing is more effective than treatment

Welfare Considerations

Mud fever causes significant pain and lameness when severe. The scabs that form over infected skin are adhered to the underlying tissue and their removal — necessary for treatment — is extremely painful. Many horses become aggressive when their lower legs are touched due to pain sensitisation. Environmental management — reducing mud exposure through good field management, hard-standing areas and barrier products — is far preferable to repeated treatment cycles. Early identification and treatment prevents progression from mild surface infection to severe deep tissue involvement with long-term skin changes.

What You Can Do

Apply barrier creams before turnout in wet conditions for susceptible horses
Inspect legs daily in wet weather for early signs of skin cracking or scabbing
Seek veterinary treatment promptly — early intervention prevents severe disease
Improve field drainage and provide hard-standing areas to reduce mud exposure