Mud fever when there's no mud????

[BabyBear]

My poor boy!!!!:(


Went up to the yard tonight to be met by a very grumpy horse - Mr C was all ears back, tail swishes and trying to bite which is not like him.

Decided to check him over and discovered that his legs are all scabby and sore again - he has a couple or really sore patches.

I feel so guilty - I last applied his piggie oil about 3-4 weeks ago and checked them properly about 2 weeks ago and there were no scabs. It's been dry and sunny since then and his fields are bone dry therefore legs have been nice and clean and dry so never even throught to check.

So he got another oiling tonight and he'll get done again tomorrow then I'll have to order another batch. Have also given him tonight off ridden work just incase his legs are hurting him.

Is this mud fever? It looks like it but why has he got it now?

[Tango<3]

Ive never heard of it with no mud?
... but I know that the mud fever bacteria gets on the mud and there fore horses are more likely to get it if another one in their field have it..

Hugs for Mr C xxxx

[karsteine]

Ive had mud fever smack bang in the middle of summer...when its been bone dry....., to be honest at the time i had never seen a horse in summer get mud fever untill mine did, so i'm guessing it can happen

[Mehitabel]

yes, mud fever is a bacteria that lives in the soil, and any entry into the skin can let it in. so even morning dew can be enough to soften the skin to let it in and start scabs going.

[NoviceNic]

Captain gets this and quite honestly it gets worse in the Summer. It isnt Mud Fever, its an allergy to something in the grass. Im thinking Clovers at the moment. Just keep slapping the Pig Oil and Sulphur on. :)

[xstephx]

Yup mehitabel is right, Fred had it very bad last summer, i know it was a wet one but still where we were we didn't get much mud and it he got it the back end of summer when most of the wet weather had gone but he got horrendous mud fever. His field had fairly long grass and was soaking in the morning with dew which softened the skin and he got mud fever. It lasted from August to about October, the worst he has ever had it thankfully i got rid of it before winter and it didn't return but i will always keep a close eye on his legs now as before i never realised they could get it in summer but now i know!

[BabyBear]

I feel like such a bad mum letting his legs get in this state!:mad:

[NoviceNic]

I feel like such a bad mum letting his legs get in this state!:mad:


I wish I had my camera with me last night. I could show you how bad Captains legs get. They are 10 times worse than Caspers and that is without seeing Caspers legs. ;) Your doing something about it, not leaving it to get worse. Captain spent 8 yrs of his life without his owners doing something about his legs. :eek: So I dont feel bad when Captain is being treated everytime his legs start getting bad. Cause I know Im doing the best I can and the vet has agreed I can do for him. :)

[coyote]

Oh hun.:(
just slap the piggy stuff on more frequently,to combat it,Nelly sprouted one last weekend out of knowhere,so i know what your feeling i was like :eek::eek::eek: where the hell did that come from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Treated it straight away and its nearly gone. ;)

[sancho]

Yes my daughters horse also suffers.

Vet thinks its some photosenthisys thingy (sp) caused by the sun, but being the expert I am (;)) I too put it down to something in the grass as she has only suffered since being at this yard.

[BabyBear]

I wish I had my camera with me last night. I could show you how bad Captains legs get. They are 10 times worse than Caspers and that is without seeing Caspers legs. ;) Your doing something about it, not leaving it to get worse. Captain spent 8 yrs of his life without his owners doing something about his legs. :eek: So I dont feel bad when Captain is being treated everytime his legs start getting bad. Cause I know Im doing the best I can and the vet has agreed I can do for him. :)

Nic - do you stop all ridden work when his legs get bad?

Because of C's feathers it's damn near impossible to tell if there is any swelling although there obviously is heat coming from the legs (only the front ones that are affected:confused:)

I don't want to work him if it's going to hurt but at the same time don't want to be too soft and give him time off if he doesn't need it cause he'll just start piling the weight on again!:rolleyes:

[Clava]

Yes, Mehitabel is right. My arab mare had it last summer and I had to have the vet out, she needed 2 lots of antibiotics to clear the 5 different sorts of bacteria in the scabs (after lab results). I couldn't believe it. At the time I was sure it was triggered by a change in diet (possible access to buttercups) causing sunburn (pink skin only), but my vet was having none of that (even though her pink skin star on her head was scabby). It it doesn't respond to the usual treatments then get the vet!

[greeneyes13]

oh very interesting thread.

ive noticed a few scabs on my new horses legs either and cannot figure out how he got them with no mud or rain and hes only out in the field a couple of hours a day!

ive been putting vaseline on to soften the scabs and then sudocream when they come off. whats this pig oil stuff and where can i get some????

[Soot]

Do you have St John's Wort in your fields? That can trigger mud fever like lesions caused by photosensitivty after eating the plant.

[jumper_stars]

I have hud mud fever in the summer too. As Soot has said it can be cause by St John's Wort - i you have a look on the internet there is plenty ino on google :)

[BabyBear]

Do you have St John's Wort in your fields? That can trigger mud fever like lesions caused by photosensitivty after eating the plant.

Nope - nothing but plain old grass and very little of it!

[Clava]

Just to add what I also had to do as part of the treatment (other than inject her twice a day! I hate needles:eek:) was scrubb the scabs off with Hibiscrub and dry carefully (then apply antibiotic cream). It is important to remove the scabs as they protect the bacteria and give them somewhere to live.

[jumper_stars]

Just to add what I also had to do as part of the treatment (other than inject her twice a day! I hate needles:eek:) was scrubb the scabs off with Hibiscrub and dry carefully (then apply antibiotic cream). It is important to remove the scabs as they protect the bacteria and give them somewhere to live.


Sudu (think that is what it is called):confused: its baby bum cream works wonders too!! ;)

[BabyBear]

Just to add what I also had to do as part of the treatment (other than inject her twice a day! I hate needles:eek:) was scrubb the scabs off with Hibiscrub and dry carefully (then apply antibiotic cream). It is important to remove the scabs as they protect the bacteria and give them somewhere to live.

That's what C's previous owner used to do however I think this itself can cause problems.

The pig oil has worked wonders for him before so hopefully it will clear it up again this time - just means I have to keep applying it over the summer.

[chickyd444]

think the humidity and moisture rising from the ground in this warm weather can bring it on - not sure - jasper had it terrible last summer. :(

[chickyd444]

Sudu (think that is what it is called):confused: its baby bum cream works wonders too!! ;)

suducrem ?

[Clava]

Previously my mare had had mud fever and it cleared up with Sudocreme , or Dermisol cream (very good), but this time nothing was shifting it -which is why I had the vet out. Hibiscrub did not cause any problems, helped to soften and remove the scubs (had to pick them off), but it worked and left the area clean for the prescription cream (supplied by vet).

[jumper_stars]

suducrem ?
thats the one! Thanks!

[Camyds]

Hi

I was surprised to find a little itsy bit last nite too, so put some prep H on to treat it, but, I was a bit wary of putting the piggy oil on as I wanted to ask you guys if you should put it on when its sunny? I was just thinking of the oil heating up and causing damage by burning? could that happen or am I having a blonde moment!!!!:o

[coyote]

Just to add what I also had to do as part of the treatment (other than inject her twice a day! I hate needles:eek:) was scrubb the scabs off with Hibiscrub and dry carefully (then apply antibiotic cream). It is important to remove the scabs as they protect the bacteria and give them somewhere to live.

NEVER EVER EVER SCRUB THE LEGS OR PICK OFF THE SCABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek::mad::mad:

[coyote]

Hi

I was surprised to find a little itsy bit last nite too, so put some prep H on to treat it, but, I was a bit wary of putting the piggy oil on as I wanted to ask you guys if you should put it on when its sunny? I was just thinking of the oil heating up and causing damage by burning? could that happen or am I having a blonde moment!!!!:o

No this wont happen!:rolleyes:

[Camyds]

Thankies Coyote:cool:

[coyote]

where can i get some????
Here:
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/matt286bay/

OR here
http://www.matthewburks.co.uk/

Its the same bloke and he is my hubbys cousin.;)
He breeds/shows/judges shire horses.:D

[Clava]

NEVER EVER EVER SCRUB THE LEGS OR PICK OFF THE SCABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek::mad::mad:

This was the vets advice to the letter and it started to heal directly!

[coyote]

It contradicts my vets advice and all of my experience.;):rolleyes:

If you do a search in the search bar above for pig oil and sulpher and mud fever, read it all ,it might just give you an insight into other less abrasive ways of treatring it,your way is babaric and very painfull for the horse.

[Clava]

There is no way that the bacteria could be removed without removing the scabs in which it was inhabiting, as already mentioned it was a serious case requiring antibiotics and not the usual mudfever that goes with the usual ointments. It is not barbaric to cure your horse and by soaking the scabs, then scrubbing, they come off easily with almost no discomfort to the horse. My point is really is that if the case is not going with the usual creams then it is important to get the vet in. My mare's case was serious and I wasted too much time with creams that were never going to kill a particularly nasty "bug" (as the vet described it). She had two lots of antibiotics as the first ones were not strong enough.

[coyote]

Yes some cases do require antibiotics,im not disputing that,as did my lads legs too.
storminateacups was the most sever case i or her vet had ever seen (thread with pics on here) he had numerous antibiotics.
There is a way to get the scabs off actually,with the piggy stuff you dont need to soak or scrub anything it soaks in and the scabs fall off, while the sulpher treats and cleanses the skin and protects from further occural.
Why put your horse through the trauma of hibiscrub (which is bad for long term use btw) and the picking of scabs (which are there for a reason:rolleyes:)
when there is no need,the testaments on ALL the threads in the search bar PROVE how effective the pig oil and sulpher is.
For alot of people on here it has been a gift from god, when they were at their wits end,alot of people would be lost without it now.
So having a go at me will get you nowhere.

[BabyBear]

I think it's horses for courses.

I tried the hibiscrub method and it didn't work for me and I've seen hibiscrub do some horrible damage to some horses who have more sensitive skin Within days of using the pig oil & sulphur mix my boys mud fever had cleared. C's previous owner also had injections and antibiotics none of which improved things.

I know many other on the forum, some with much worse cases than mine have had similar positive results with pig oil but I'm sure some others have not and have had to resort to other treatments although based on the posts I've read on this, there only appears to be a minority who have to result to other treatments.

[xstephx]

I had the vet to Fred's mudfever last summer as his leg had swelled although there weren't too many scabs at this point and i had been trying to treat it with the likes of mudguard. The vet just sort of dismissed it and was more concerned about my other horses mudfever (my then mare also had it) even though hers was clearing she had one or two deep lesions. I was not happy because i knew hers was clearing and that Fred's was going to get worse which it did, a lot worse. I used the antibiotics for Jazz on Fred, i also had some flammazine cream about 500g tub cost me about £50 (can't remember exactly). It sort of started to work and i had always heard that picking the scabs off was the best thing to do and also the vet had advised this. Fred was having none of it he would rather try and kick you than let you pick scabs off, now Fred doesn't have a nasty bone in his body so it must have painful. I left them and once i had ran out of flammazine i started to put on MSM ointment during the day and hibiscrub it off at night but leave the scabs alone if they came off then they came off but i wasn't going to pick. I didn't wash the hibiscrub off and left the leg over night and again in the morning applied the MSM ointment and within a few weeks it had gone. His mudfever was around his pastern and had spread up both sides of his cannon bone and was the worst i had seen it. But the method i used worked well with him and sometimes i think different horses respond well to different methods. People say not to hose legs in winter let them dry and brush the mud off i know because its happened that if i do that with Fred he gets mudfever but if i hose them clean and dry them with a towel he doesn't get it. I think you just have to do whatever works for your horse best!

Btw have never tried pig oil as have neevr heard of it but will def give it a try if Fred gets mudfever again!

[coyote]

Storminateacup's horse Jack.

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133141

[Nookster]

Pig oil and sulpher all the way for me - vol has tiny wee smidge on his back leg at the moment but its been 3 /4 since i last done him.

Will always use pig oil and suplher now. Have tried everything else and nothings works in my eyes but this no matter how much money i tried to spend on the problem including vets etc. all his legs looked skinned and so sore back in dec and now all fluffy white and happy :D

[StormyJ]

I've never tried the Pig Oil/Sulphur method, but I do know that Aromesse's Aromaheel (http://www.aromesse.com/pages/aromaheel.php) is incredible, having used it on our horses for lots of different problems. Does what the website says and they are so helpful and will send you samples of all their products to try and help you :)
NN - what your boy gets is more likely to be either photosensitivity from St. John's Wort or an allergic reaction to ranunculus (buttercups!) than clover - my mum sees both at work and they are horrific and present similar to mud fever. They do use pig oil/sulphur on this and it seems to work.

[Clava]

So having a go at me will get you nowhere.[/QUOTE]

I have not been having a go at you in anyway! I am just describing what the situation was with me and defending myself from being called barbaric! My mare recovered quickly and all treatment was done with her in the field on my own (no-one holding her) so couldn't have been so terrible. There is logic to removing the scabs as in my case they were harbouring the bacteria, the new skin grew back incredibly quickly. I trust my vet entirely and only raised my case as a warning to others, not as a procedure for everyone. I do not claim to have all the answers.

[coss]

I've never tried the Pig Oil/Sulphur method, but I do know that Aromesse's Aromaheel (http://http://www.aromesse.com/pages/aromaheel.php) is incredible, having used it on our horses for lots of different problems. Does what the website says and they are so helpful and will send you samples of all their products to try and help you :)
NN - what your boy gets is more likely to be either photosensitivity from St. John's Wort or an allergic reaction to ranunculus (buttercups!) than clover - my mum sees both at work and they are horrific and present similar to mud fever. They do use pig oil/sulphur on this and it seems to work.

your link has too many http's... here is the link: Aromesse's Aromaheel (http://www.aromesse.com/pages/aromaheel.php)

[StormyJ]

Ooops have edited! :p

[coyote]

Of course your vets treatment worked you yourself said it took two lots of antbiotics to clear it,so it should have cleared it,it probably cost enough!
I didnt say YOU were barbaric i said the TREATMENT is barbaric but of course all vets are right all of the time (of course your paying him).:rolleyes:
Anyway as you said in a previous post your horse suffers from it repeatedly,this last time needed vetinary treatment.
Proves my point really,as once the pig oil and sulpher is used and it works for your horse (works for 98% cases) it should not be stopped and should be used all year round as this stops it from coming back ,therefore not needing the vet or antibiotics.
just dont be blinkered ,when alot on here have had there horses lives changed by using it,
Alot on here have done the scrubbing and picking way and they have then had a real problem getting anywhere near their poor horses legs and rightly so.

[horseygirl123]

My mare gets horrendous mud fever on her heels and i have tried everything in the book until a few weeks ago someone suggested green oils gel which i tried and its wonderful stuff :)
havent had a touch of mud fever since ;)


Heres a link for some on ebay !!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PETTIFERS-GREEN-OILS-HEALING-GEL-400G-HORSE-MUD-FEVER_W0QQitemZ190220036415QQihZ009QQcategoryZ90863QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

[Nookster]

storminateacups was the most sever case i or her vet had ever seen (thread with pics on here) he had numerous antibiotics.


i hate even admitting this but voltans were worse - why i could never post pictures. :( I might as well have taken a knife and skinned all four legs

Same her antibiotics never works, flamazine never worked, turn out boots never worked. keratex never worked, muddy marvels never worked, mfp never worked it was a nightmare.

What i think we all forgetting is, it is one thing to clear it up - we can all do that with certain products and keeping them boxed etc.

Its another thing to have a product that heals and is a barrier and protection for all future episodes of mud fever which none of the other products prove to be but pig oil and suplhur has clearly proven able to do and at a tenth of the price.

I applied and turned my skinned legged horse out into a bog field expecting his legs to fall off and day by day they got better until completely healed. Fab when a youngster such as vol was not gonna agree to box rest.

Also another major positive - its a once a week job (when really bad) all other creams etc i have used and for instance turnout boots are a dialy task!

[Clava]

Actually I didn't say my mare had had mudfever repeatedly, I said "previously! (possibly once 10 years ago in the winter , I can't remember, but it's not a big on going problem - I've had her 20 years). I am open minded and don't understand why you seem to be so annoyed with me as all I'm doing is describing what happened to me and what I believe. I have no experience of problems getting near horses legs etc, my mare never objected and it really wasn't so awful (just yukky). I tried many alternative therapies and believe in giving most things a go. The vet cured the problem but he wasn't right about the cause. (I still believe it to be photosensitivity, but she's been fine so far this year)
Here is an interesting article, covers a lot of what has been mentioned.....just for interest...not meant to upset anyone...:ohttp://www.championvet.com/articles/details.asp?aID=94

[Bobbin]

Captain gets this and quite honestly it gets worse in the Summer. It isnt Mud Fever, its an allergy to something in the grass. Im thinking Clovers at the moment. Just keep slapping the Pig Oil and Sulphur on. :)


What she said, my mates horses gets something that resembles mud fever in the summer. She has consulted her vet and he says it is more than likely a pollen type allergy, it mainly comes through in new pasture or long grass.

[Clava]

Sorry Bobbin, I was replying to Coyote who was talking about my mare. If you weren't replying to me..then oops, I'm just confusing things again:rolleyes:

[Trewsers]

Our Joe hasn't had mud fever this winter when clarted in it - but we moved pasture to the new summer paddock and he's started with what looks like it. I can only think its because in the old paddock the bacteria wasn't present, and it must be in the new one. Its most odd, he hasn't got it badly, but we felt the scabs. Hopefully it won't get a hold like it did a couple of winters ago.

[lauraandharvey]

now now ladies
we all have our opinions
my lad had mud fever and coyote was there to save the day ...again :rolleyes:
she obviously knows what she is talking about as her hubbys uncle/cusin sells the stuff
she gets the info from the horses mouth!
and is expirienced

i tried antibiotics, which didnt work :(

And im afraid to say i was told by thevet to pick off the scabs
so i did :( which made it 10 times worse!
x

[piebaldrider]

your link has too many http's... here is the link: Aromesse's Aromaheel (http://www.aromesse.com/pages/aromaheel.php)

I can't recommend Aromaheel enough, i had a mare with mud fever and had tried everything, Aromaheel softens the scabs and they come off without having to pick them or hurt your horse doing it.

My current boy gets something people refer to as greasy knees but basically it's scabs behind his knee and down the back of hs leg, the skin looks like a bad case of dandruff and the scabs itch him like mad. It's very painful for him to be clipped too.

I tried the Aromaheel on the scabs and within days the condition had completely disappeared the scabs had dropped off and the new skin was showing but a bit pink, i put the cream on to keep the area protected for a few days and now the hair is growing back and my horse is happy and itch free.

I don't recommend many things as i am not easily impressed but Aromaheel is worth recommending.

[NoviceNic]

NN - what your boy gets is more likely to be either photosensitivity from St. John's Wort or an allergic reaction to ranunculus (buttercups!) than clover - my mum sees both at work and they are horrific and present similar to mud fever. They do use pig oil/sulphur on this and it seems to work.

No buttercups or St johns Wort. But loads of clover. So not sure Im just eliminating things as we go along. :mad:

[NoviceNic]

Dont put turn out boots on if your horse has it. The turnout boots just warm up the infected area/bacteria and spread it. Apparently once its cleared you can put turnout boots on but to be honest Ive never tried. So I dont have any experience with boots at trying to prevent it.

[Clava]

No buttercups or St johns Wort. But loads of clover. So not sure Im just eliminating things as we go along. :mad:

Rosie's photosensitivity (which I think caused her problems) was after she got on to an area of buttercups AND clover, I just thought it was the buttercups but could have been the clover....

[lauraandharvey]

Dont put turn out boots on if your horse has it. The turnout boots just warm up the infected area/bacteria and spread it. Apparently once its cleared you can put turnout boots on but to be honest Ive never tried. So I dont have any experience with boots at trying to prevent it.

i agree
it makes the legs sweat and it spreads
x

[storminateacup]

ouch this thread is hot! :D

Obviously everyone has different experiences, And there probably are a few people out there who have successfully treated their horses with hibiscrub.

However lol :p

The piggy stuffs for me, worked, and i know of more people who have been successfull by this method of approach. And I think everyone should have an open mind towards it. It may not seem like the "done thing"
psst(when coyote first told us about it, we did think she was abit insane, when she started talking about piggy oil? lol):D

After reading up on mud fever, we decided to hibiscrub, and then we HAD to call the vet out! his legs were leaking fluid, pussy, scabby, bleeding, we thought he may even have something worse
Jack was put on antibiotics, and we were told to continue hibiscrub and pick away! (with a very distressed and grumpy horse:D)
Coyote came the day the vet came! she can vouch!

But after just two weeks of applying the pig oil and sulphur, his legs were five times better, he could even go and play in the field with his mate!

so overall= clean legs & happy horse! :D

I come across loads of people using hibiscrub and most of the time i have to bite my tonuge (i even had to treat it for a college assignment!) but i think its time the piggy oil came out! and peoples views were re approached!

:D sorry for the essay i bet ive taken up a page! :D xx

[Joyscarer]

I too was persuaded onto the piggy oil route having first read of numerous NR regulars who have had success with it.

Joy had a touch of mud fever the christmas before last when I first bought her. She was at a riding school and had her legs washed every day.

Since I bought her I have not gone down that route. I have mostly left her legs dirty and then started applying the piggy oil mix back in January as a preventitive measure just in case it came back and it hasn't.

Even though the weather has turned nice and the mud has gone from her field I still use it after the farrier has been (so I remember to do it) and not only does it keep her legs clear of mud fever but Joy also has lovely feathers that the mud doesn't stick to when out hacking so that is reason enough to continue in my book :p

[BabyBear]

Well good news! After only 3 days and 2 applications of pig oil the mud fever is subsiding!

He still has some sore bits so will apply some more tomorrow and order some more to keep is going over the summer!:)

[Joyscarer]

Well good news! After only 3 days and 2 applications of pig oil the mud fever is subsiding!

He still has some sore bits so will apply some more tomorrow and order some more to keep is going over the summer!:)

That is fantastic news :D

Just remember to keep applying it every 6 weeks or so even when it has gone as prevention. I do mine after the farrier has been so I don't forget.

[Clava]

That is great news - maybe time to stock up with piggy stuff, :) but fingers crossed for no mud fever!