Poor pasture and mud management causes mud fever and pastern dermatitis in horses, leading to painful skin infections that affect welfare and can become chronic without appropriate intervention.
Mud fever causes significant pain and welfare compromise in affected horses. The characteristic scabbing and inflammation are associated with persistent discomfort, and horses often resent handling of affected limbs. In severe cases, lameness prevents normal movement and grazing. Chronic mud fever leads to scarring, thickened skin, and recurrent episodes. Managing field conditions to reduce mud exposure is the primary welfare intervention but requires ongoing commitment through wet seasons.