Mud fever has many names including cracked heels, rain rot, greasy heels, dew poisoning and Hunting mud fever.  It is a common condition, usually affecting the lower limbs; especially the back legs, and particularly if they are white. If the condition becomes chronic excessive granulation tissue (proud flesh) can form on the open wounds.

The condition can be recognised by the slowly enlarging open sores and crusts on the back of the heels and pastern which may spread to the coronet band and even further up (it is not uncommon to find mud fever lesions on the belly and inner thighs). These painful sores are usually caused by the invasion of a bacterium called dermatophilus congolensis, which penetrates the skin following either damage, or softening through exposure to the wet or mud. The bacterium thrives in wet muddy conditions, and our increasingly mild and wet winters are escalating the prevalence of this troublesome condition.

Some horses and ponies will always be more susceptible to mud fever than others, and wet muddy fields make the problem worse. Preventing mud fever in the first place is certainly preferable, however, it can at times be extremely difficult to prevent but good management practices will help i.e.

If your horse is susceptible, you should protect its legs from the wet and mud as much as possible, and apply a barrier cream or ointment.

You should also check the legs regularly, and at first signs of soreness, weeping or scabs, treat immediately with an effective mud fever cream, to prevent the condition worsening.

Meticulous care should be taken to keep the stable clean and dry.

Do not allow the horse or pony access to the pastures until the morning dew has dried.

Deny access to lower, wetter pastures.

Excessive shampooing is to be avoided as it washes away the skin's protective oils.

Mud fever can be a very persistent condition, and difficult to treat. There are several important stages to successfully treating mud fever:

1. The skin must be prevented from coming into further contact with the wet or mud, whilst the condition is being treated.

2. All the scabs must be removed, so that the treatment can reach the skin.

3. The infection must then be treated with a product that attacks the bacteria.

4. Once the bacteria has been destroyed, the affected area must continue to be protected whilst new skin and hair grows.
   

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