Horse Mud Fever: Prevention and Treatment

Mud fever is a painful bacterial skin condition of the lower limbs in horses that is common in wet conditions and requires prompt management.

Key Facts

Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) results from Dermatophilus congolensis and other bacterial infection of skin softened by prolonged wet conditions
The lower limbs, particularly around the pastern and fetlock, are most commonly affected
Signs include scabby crusts, heat, swelling, lameness, and marked pain on palpation or handling of affected areas
Horses with white legs and pink skin are more susceptible due to reduced melanin protection
Treatment involves removing scabs under veterinary guidance, applying topical antibiotics, and keeping legs dry

Welfare Considerations

Mud fever causes significant pain in affected horses. The crusts that form over infected skin are difficult to remove without causing additional distress, and the underlying tissue is raw and inflamed. Horses that cannot avoid standing in wet, muddy conditions develop recurrent infections year after year. Prevention through field management and leg protection is far preferable to repeated treatment cycles.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have access to dry standing areas throughout wet winter periods
Clean and thoroughly dry legs after wet field conditions — do not leave legs wet under leg wraps
Apply barrier products to susceptible lower limbs before turnout in muddy conditions
Seek veterinary advice promptly if scabs form — attempting to remove them without softening increases pain