Space for Horses Forum
1 to 10 of 10
EQUINE WELFARE: mud fever
-
there is a big argument up our yard as to wash the sores first , dry them, then put on cream , or just put a cream on such as Betadine, with no washing. also would you keep your horse in all the time or turn out with loads of vaseline on.
-
Reckon it's real difficult once mud fever has set in - we rate Flamazine, think vet has to prescribe. Then when sores have cleared, think vaseline great as a barrier preventive, but before mud fever sets in, for horse prone to mudfever - we found one horse likely to get it, other never does. Hve used hair dryer successfully to make sure really dry. Guess you have to keep in if sores really bad, and if all sloshy mud, but can turn out with the flamazine. Really annoying ailment.
-
Keep your brushes and curries away from the heels when conditions are muddy. Especially if the mud on the skin is wet.
All it takes to get mud fever going is a small scratch through the delicate skin, allowing the bacteria in the mud to invade.
Rather than brush or curry off mud I will wash it off with a water hose, then dry with a towel.
Since I have been doing this my horses have been OK, and let me tell you, Nova Scotia can be supremely wet and muddy 6 months of the year. -
Oh yes, one other thing.
Dettol ® ( http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/dettol/dettolh.htm ) liquid works very well for skin conditions such as rain rot, mange, and mud fever.
Put a couple of ounces in a liter of warm water and use it as a wash. Sronger solutions work well for a soak (i.e. of an abscessed foot). Add some Epsom Salts ( http://www.healthinajiffy.co.uk/bells-epsom-salts-2kg-p-1485.html )to the solution for purulent wounds.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a veterinarian. This is simply what works for me. Results may differ for you. -
thanks for all your advice, its great hearing from so many people , the out come from the vet that came yesterday, keep in for 5 days , put nothing on it. bearing in mind this horse hates anything done to it , the owners are true novices , they let the horse walk all over them, so it has got away with loads, ...
-
I personally leave well alone, once the mud has dried i will then brush it off.
my horse suffered from mud fever when i first gotten him and now it has cleared up completely :o) -
Five days have gone by - did you keep the horse in? - and what how's the mud fever now? would like to know if it's cleared up with nothing being put on!
-
I ditto G, I leave well alone until completely dry then brush off as normal. If the mud is even the slightest bit damp I do not touch. Washing the legs off can add even more moisture to the bacteria and increase the problem. When the mud is dry and has been brushed off, then can you use a barrier cream, for which I would recommend the Nettex range.
-
the owner left the horse in for 5 days , it was on antibiotics , and bute because of her age she also has arthritis, it made no difference, she had still got , red inflamed sores, she was chewing the front of her feathers, our farm owners were a bit miffed as to why the vet said she had to stay in, yes ok to keep her legs dry , but it didnt do her arthritis or C.O.P.D much good. But our farmers keep shires, and they use this sulphur iodine and vegetable oil, it worked wonders, the owner put the horse out straight away, wet and mud run staight off the legs, and you do not wash the stuff off, it dont look nice but it works , our farmers keep show and ploughing shires, the show shires are at Horse of the Year Show in october doing a musical drive.
-
Here are a few tips on mud fever.
1- Poor stable management doesn’t help keep mud fever away
2- Straw bedding is not the best as it dos soak up all the wet, shavings are better.
3- Do not hose the legs down, as that will make the skin soft and if not dried right the skin will chap and split allowing the germ further in.
4- When treating the mud fever groom you’re horses legs in the morning so they are dry.
5- Softly groom you’re horses leg so not to make it sorer, and then feel with you’re hand and check that the leg is clean.
6- Once the leg or foot is clean use warm water with HIBI scrub to gently soften the scabs. Be careful, as some of the scabs will not be ready to come off yet.
7- Then put a good barrier cream on. Make sure the cream dos not stop the germ from getting out.
8- Do not harshly rub the cream in but softly massage it in.
9- Then you’re horse can be turned out. If you can ask the yard owner to make another gate so you don’t walk you horse through the mud.
10- You can also ride the horse, just be wise on what and where you go and do.
11- If you do wet you’re horses legs, do not dry them by rubbing them with towels. Instead use paper towels and dab the wet.
1 to 10 of 10