Preventing mud fever in autumn

What exactly is mud fever?

Mud fever (also known as scratches or pastern dermatitis) is a bacterial skin infection caused by Dermatophilus congolensis or Staphylococcus bacteria. It develops when the skin remains moist for extended periods, causing the skin barrier to break down and allowing bacteria to take hold. You can recognise mud fever by crusting, redness, and flaking on the heels and pastern, sometimes accompanied by swelling and lameness. Light-coloured legs and legs with heavy feathering are particularly susceptible, but any horse can be affected. The earlier you intervene, the easier it is to treat.

Risk factors you can influence

Some factors are beyond your control — such as the weather. But the following conditions increase the risk and can be addressed:

• Poor drainage in the paddock or stable walkways
• Horse standing in mud or wet grass for more than 4–6 hours per day
• Washing legs and not allowing them to dry completely before stabling
• Scrubbing too aggressively, causing skin damage
• Long leg feathering that traps moisture

Pasture and paddock management in autumn

The smartest investment is a dry resting area. Place a mud mat or rubber track plates near the water trough and gate — these are the spots where mud accumulates first. A layer of coarse sand or wood chips 10–15 cm deep in the paddock significantly reduces contact with wet ground. Rotational grazing also helps: by alternating sections, you give worn patches a chance to recover. If you have the option to stable your horse overnight, the skin gets a chance to dry out completely for at least a few hours every day — that alone makes a significant difference.

Daily care: clean and dry

How you clean and dry the legs is at least as important as how often you do it. Follow these steps:

• Let mud dry completely on the legs first, then brush it off dry — wet brushing increases the risk of skin damage
• Wash the legs only when truly necessary; use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap
• Pat the legs dry with a clean towel and use a hairdryer on a low heat setting if needed
• Apply a thin layer of zinc oxide cream or a moisture-repelling barrier cream to the vulnerable areas
• Check daily for crusts, warmth, or swelling — this way you can address early-stage cases immediately

Protective products that work

There are dozens of ointments and sprays on the market, but a few proven options work well for most horses. Zinc oxide cream forms a water-repellent barrier and is inexpensive. Petroleum jelly works as short-term protection for a ride out, but doesn't breathe and is less suitable for prolonged use. Specific mud fever products containing antibacterial ingredients (such as chlorhexidine or tea tree oil) are helpful when mild inflammation has already set in. With thicker crusts, never force them off: first soften them with a greasy cream and remove them gently.

Tracking in EquiSight makes it easier

If your horse is prone to mud fever, it's worth keeping track of when symptoms occur, which products you have used, and how quickly recovery took place. In the horse dossier in EquiSight, you can log this by date, allowing you to recognise patterns over time — for example, that symptoms always start after a week of persistent rain. EquiCoach can also remind you of the daily check if you set this up in the calendar. That way, nothing slips through the cracks, even on busy stable days.

When to call the vet?

Mild mud fever generally responds to home care within 1–2 weeks. Contact a vet if your horse is lame or has warm swelling above the pastern, if the wounds have not responded after 10 days of treatment, if there is extensive crusting on multiple legs simultaneously, or if you notice fever or general signs of illness. The vet can prescribe antibiotics or draw up a targeted treatment plan. When in doubt, don't wait too long — mud fever that has penetrated deep into the skin heals considerably more slowly.