Mud fever is a bacterial skin condition affecting horse legs during wet conditions. Effective prevention and prompt treatment protect welfare during autumn and winter.
Mud fever causes painful skin inflammation, scab formation, and swelling that makes affected horses reluctant to move and causes discomfort during handling and examination. Severely affected cases develop cellulitis with significant soft tissue swelling of the entire lower limb that is acutely painful and can cause lameness. The underlying mite infestation in feathered breeds adds intense itching to the discomfort. Prevention through appropriate skin barrier products, controlled turnout in wet conditions, and careful drying of legs after wet exposure significantly reduces incidence. Prompt treatment when early signs are detected prevents progression to severe disease.