Mud Fever Welfare in Horses During Winter

Mud fever causes painful scabbing and lameness in horses kept on wet pasture. Prevention through management and prompt treatment reduces welfare compromise.

Key Facts

Mud fever is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis bacteria activated by prolonged wet conditions
It affects the lower legs, particularly heels and pasterns of horses on muddy ground
Signs include crusty scabs, hair matting, swelling, and lameness in severe cases
Horses with white legs and pink skin have higher susceptibility
Prevention requires rotation of paddocks, removal of mud, and provision of dry standing areas

Welfare Considerations

Mud fever causes significant pain from inflamed, scabbed skin particularly at the heel bulbs and pastern. Severe cases develop cellulitis with marked limb swelling causing pronounced lameness. Prevention through paddock management reducing mud exposure is far more effective than treating established cases. Providing dry standing areas for horses to rest away from mud, rotating pastures to prevent poaching, and early removal of scabs under veterinary guidance with antibiotic treatment resolves established cases and prevents progression to severe disease.

What You Can Do

Provide dry standing areas accessible to horses on wet winter pastures
Rotate paddocks to prevent severe poaching and mud accumulation around gateways
Inspect horse legs daily during wet periods and treat early scabs before lameness develops
Seek veterinary treatment for cases with significant swelling or lameness