What is Mud Fever?

Mud fever has many names including cracked heels, scratches, rain rot, greasy heel, mud rash, and dew poisoning.  It is a common condition, usually affecting horses lower limbs; especially the back legs, and particularly if they are white.

Mud Fever is characterised by inflammation of the skin, and the appearance of crusty scabs, formed from oozing serum. This is 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.

When the same condition occurs on the upper body, it is also referred to as Rain Rot, or Rain Scald.

Preventing Mud Fever in the first place, is certainly preferable for your horse, however mud fever can at times be extremely difficult to prevent. 

Some horses will always be more susceptible to mud fever than others, and wet muddy fields exacerbate the problem. If your horse is susceptible to mud fever, you should protect its legs from the wet and mud as much as possible, and apply a barrier. 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, and clear up the problem.

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 protected from 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.

  Email Us

Home |  ORDER | Affiliate Program | Testimonials | Photos | Directions for Use | Contact Us | About Us | Horse Products | Dog Products | Horse Links | Terms&Conditions

Aromesse Ltd, Croftbarn, Blyton Carr, Gainsborough, Lincs DN21 3EN   U.K.  
Tel: +44 (0)1427 811765