Horse Mud Fever Management | Animal Welfare Hub

Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is a painful skin condition affecting horses kept in wet conditions. Effective management requires addressing both the infection and the underlying environmental factors.

Key Facts

Mud fever is caused by a complex of bacteria, fungi, and mites affecting skin softened by prolonged moisture
The lower limbs, particularly the pasterns and heels, are most commonly affected
Clinical signs include scabs, matted hair, swelling, heat, and lameness in severe cases
Pink-skinned areas and horses kept on wet, muddy pastures are most susceptible
Secondary cellulitis can develop in untreated or severe cases, requiring systemic antibiotic treatment

Welfare Considerations

Mud fever causes genuine pain: affected horses flinch at touch, become reluctant to have limbs picked up or handled, and can develop significant lameness as inflammation progresses. The condition tends to be underestimated by owners who dismiss early scabs, allowing the infection to become established. Once cellulitis develops, systemic illness and prolonged lameness can result. Prevention through environmental management — reducing mud, providing dry standing areas, avoiding leg wrapping that traps moisture — is far more effective than reactive treatment of established cases.

What You Can Do

Identify and address the environmental cause — create dry standing areas, rotate paddocks, and avoid high-traffic muddy gateways
Inspect lower limbs regularly during wet weather, checking for early scabs, hair loss, or swelling
Seek veterinary treatment promptly if mud fever is suspected — early treatment prevents progression to cellulitis
Follow prescribed treatment protocols consistently — incomplete treatment leads to recurrence
Consider barrier products to protect vulnerable limbs in horses prone to the condition