Mud Fever in South Devon: Find out everything you need to know to beat this condition.
Wet, muddy fields are a fact of life here in South Devon, especially in winter. But when your horse starts showing crusty scabs or limping, you might face mud fever—a frustrating skin condition that we see plagues horse owners yearly.
What is it? How do you stop it? And what do you do if it’s already taken hold?
As equine vets in South Devon, we’re here to answer your burning questions about mud fever, so you can keep your horse healthy and happy—no matter the weather.
Remember that we are here to consult and support on all matters related to your horse’s health, so do be in touch with any concerns.
What Exactly Is Mud Fever, and Why Does It Happen?
Mud fever—technically pastern dermatitis—isn’t just one thing. It’s a skin reaction sparked by bacteria (like Dermatophilus congolensis), fungi, or even mites, thriving in South Devon’s soggy conditions. Wet mud softens your horse’s skin, especially around the pasterns and heels, letting these nasties sneak through tiny cuts or abrasions. White legs or feathered breeds? They’re often hit harder. It’s not contagious horse-to-horse, but shared muddy fields can spread the risk.
How Can I Spot Mud Fever Before It Gets Worse?
- Crusty Scabs: Matted hair with scabs, often on the lower legs.
- Red, Raw Skin: Inflamed patches, sometimes with hair loss.
- Swelling or Heat: Legs that feel warm or puffy to the touch.
- Discharge: Yellowish or creamy pus under scabs in bad cases.
- Lameness: If it’s severe, your horse might limp or resist moving.
‘South Moor Equine Vets have provided a fantastic service in relation to my horse’s issues with his leg. Communication is great and a quick diagnosis was sought and treatment began. Laura was very patient, kind and provided the best possible care and advice.’ – Jessica Wilkinson
Early detection of mud fever will help prevent the condition from getting out of hand. Observe the lower limbs, usually the pastern area, for swelling, sensitivity, and scabs. At the start, there may be some hair loss and crusting, but this can progress to thickened skin folds. The leg may appear greasy from the serum that oozes from the sores. The discharge will harden into thick, crusty scabs that shelter the bacteria within them.
We will diagnose mud fever from a combination of history and clinical signs. If the problem does not respond to our initial treatment we may want to take biopsies to rule out different causes.
Some immune-mediated diseases, such as pastern and cannon leukocytoclastic vasculitis, can look very similar to mud fever. However, these cases are often seen in the summer and may be treated differently from mud fever
Why Does My Horse Keep Getting Mud Fever?
- Wet Weather: South Devon’s rain and mud weaken skin barriers.
- Field Conditions: Poor drainage or heavy traffic churns up trouble.
- Skin Type: Thin-skinned or white-legged horses are more prone.
- Management: Wet bedding or over-washing without drying can backfire.
Some horses shrug it off, others don’t—genetics play a role too. If it’s a yearly battle, your arrangements may need to change.
How Can I Stop Mud Fever Before It Starts?
Preventative measures are always best when it comes to conditions like mud fever.
The latest research shows that the constant wetting of the legs predisposes one to mud fever. So we now recommend if you’re unable to thoroughly dry your horse’s legs after washing them off, then leaving the mud on to dry naturally and brushing off is better. Barrier lotions such as sudocrem and pig oil can be effective at keeping legs dry, so long as they are dry when it’s applied! Reducing the amount of poached areas in the field will help minimise the risk of mud fever.
For simple cases of mud fever, the prognosis for a full recovery is very good, given that the correct treatment is administered and a management plan is followed, including the preventative measures discussed.
Get in touch if you think your horse could be suffering from mud fever.
- Keep Legs Dry: Let mud dry naturally, then brush it off—skip the hose unless you can dry thoroughly.
- Field Fixes: Improve drainage with gravel near gates or rotate grazing spots.
- Barrier Up: Use waterproof creams (sparingly—too much traps moisture) or turnout boots, but check they’re not rubbing.
- Stable Smart: Dry, clean bedding is a must; wet straw’s a mud fever magnet.
- Daily Checks: Run your hands over those legs to catch trouble early.
‘Always have had great service from the [South Moor] equine vets, they have treated several of my horses over many years.’ – Tamzin Lewis
What’s the Best Way to Treat Mud Fever?
Treatments
While various over-the-counter remedies exist, it is advisable to consult one of our equine vets at South Moor.
We can provide medicated shampoos, creams, and anti-inflammatories to effectively combat the condition, as well as systemic medication in the worst cases. The main aim is to treat the underlying cause, such as mites or contact allergies, remove infection, and allow the skin’s natural barrier to heal.
This usually means removing from the wet, muddy conditions. Heavily feathered horses may need to have their legs clipped, to allow easier visualization, faster more effective drying and topical treatment application.
Should you remove the scabs? The short answer is yes. The scabs harbour the bacteria causing the infection and it cannot survive when exposed to air. But the scabs are very painful for the horse. We recommend soaking the legs in warm water and dilute hibi-scrub so that they come away easily, then rinse with clean water and dry the legs with a clean towel (one for each leg). Repeat this every 3 days. Sometimes applications of cream and dressings first can assist with non-traumatic scab removal.
We may give you medicated creams to apply daily after the legs are dry and scabs removed.
“South Moor Equine vets are fabulous. They have taken incredible care of my mare, who has a serious kick injury. From emergency call out to all the visits that proceeded, Laura has kept me well informed and has done an amazing job treating…” – Kirsty Martin
Can Mud Fever Spread or Come Back?
Why Trust Local Expertise in South Devon?
- Digital X-rays: Spot-on diagnostics for hidden issues.
- Ultrasonography: High-quality scans for tendons or swelling.
- In-house Labs: Same-day results for infections or worm counts.
South Moor Equine have fantastic dedicated equine vets who show great professionalism and care for your horse… One of my favorite parts of the service is that the out of hours team are dedicated equine vets which is always handy in an emergency!” – Yasmine Sabater
