Mud Fever/ Mud Scalds

[xwaitandsee_eventing]

Whatever you've been taught to call them ( I've personally been taught to call it Mud Scalds). Anyway, here in lovely Canada, the weather is ( as always) against me. Now that the humid/stumid season is gone, rainy/muddy and cool weather has begun to set in. Now, I have a Cheval CanadienX TB gelding, who has inherited the 'feather gene' from the Canadien. Meaning, he grows feathers like there is no tomorrow. To make matters worse, he has four white socks ( someone told me that pink skin is more sensitive).

Anyway does anyone know of preventive measures to prevent my guy from getting mud scalds? Is it better to clip his feathers or have them long for the off-season? Are there any supplements or topical creams to prevent/treat it? Taking him off turnout is OUT OF THE QUESTION so if you want to suggest that, please keep it to yourself. :o I'm VERY pro-turnout, and its not an option to keep him inside until the mud goes away.

[tacotory]

Is it possible to bring him in at night and keep him turned out during the day? This way he could get some dry time at night. Better for their hooves to not be wet 24/7 also.

[AidEE]

yeah i agree. put him in @ night
yes CLIP THE FEATHERS and look at his legs every day when u put him in. I got a horse frm BC and he had HORRIBLE scratches. so bad that he was lame for 3 months. if he does show ANY siggn of it be sure to wash it w/ tea tree shampoo right away.

[xwaitandsee_eventing]

He comes in at night, but other wise he's out all day( or for atleast an hour, if its raining) unless the paddock is covered in ice or he's on stallrest.

Clip the feathers? Okay, thats good because I've heard conflicting messages about it. Tacotory, what do you think?

[tacotory]

I don't claim to be an expert on this, but my gut says to clip them off. Seems like the long hair would tend to hold/trap the moisture and/or mud. If for no other reason, it will make it easier to keep an eye on his legs so you can catch it the moment it starts. If it gets a few days head start on you, it'll be much harder to get under control.

Whenever ours come in from turnout when it's muddy, they get their legs hosed off so that there is no mud caked on. You could probably add a medicated shampoo (give tea tree a try since AidEE has good luck- probably MUCH cheaper than medicated from the vet) to the routine as a preventative measure.

We struggle with this with some of the horses- seems like some are more prone to it than others. The other thing we have issues with- especially with the ones that live outside all the time- is thrush.

Good luck- hope some of this help. ;)

[Lexi&Max]

I don't claim to be an expert on this, but my gut says to clip them off. Seems like the long hair would tend to hold/trap the moisture and/or mud. If for no other reason, it will make it easier to keep an eye on his legs so you can catch it the moment it starts. If it gets a few days head start on you, it'll be much harder to get under control.



i dont know much about mudscalds but i agree with ^that post. it sounds like the best thing to do is shave off his feathers.

hehe plus i cant stand like .."long hair" my horse gets clipped a LOT! poor guy, but he always just stands there sleeping. lol hes so used to it.

BUT If i do find anything else ill tell you!