NAF Mud Guard - Anyone used it?

[Mimi + Me]

Hi

My mare is now living out all the time and has always suffered from slight cracked heel/mud fever on her hind legs around the pastern area (even in summer when the ground is completely dry with no mud in sight).

I've started putting the Mud Guard supplement in her feed and just wondered whether anyone else has used it and what results they had. Obviously I'm going to have to give it to her for a few months, I can't expect results in a couple of weeks, but would be reluctant to use it for an indefinite amount of time as these supplements can get quite expensive (she's already on a joint supplement).

So basically, has anyone used it and what did they think of it?

[Bay Mare]

I use it because I'd heard really good reports on it. Saff hasn't had mud fever but then I don't know if she'd get it if I didn't supplement so I don't know if it's worked or not ....

Others have said that they wouldn't be without it and that previously affected horses have been mud fever free with the supplement. Whether that's to do with better management (not washing the legs, leaving the feathers, no drying the legs by rubbing etc) I don't know.

Not much help really, was I?

[NoviceNic]

I had used it in Captains food but didnt see much difference but then I have come to the conclusion that he has greasy heel. However I have been using the barrier cream and really like it. It is soothing and softens the scabs. I was advised that if he had Mud Fever that I was to use the supplement as Mud Fever needs treating from the inside out.

[Kenzie]

I feed Mud Gard during the winter months, as Toby had a slight touch of it when I bought him. But he was fine all last winter, and has been fine this winter while other horses on our yard suffer from it badly due to the muddy fields. So I assume the product is helping.

He is brought in for me by someone else, and by the time I get to him, the mud has dried and I brush it off. Very occasionally, I will hose the mud off his legs, if it is still very wet, and then I dry his legs off with Thermatex leg warmers. These factors obviously also affect his likelihood of developing mud fever, so not sure what your routine is.

But I would recommend the Mud Gard, overall, if that's any help.

K

[shirley]

Agree wholeheartedly with Kenzie. I use Mud guard on all my horses. Last year I did not use it, and my cob actually got a cracked heel, something he had never had previous years with using the Mud Guard, so this year started using it in the back end of September and will go on using it until they go out onto their summer turnout at the end of April time. So far (touch wood) non of mine have had any mud fever, but then not been so wet in the South East as we already have a hose pipe ban!!!
I have a cob, use barrier cream to help protect from outside as well, as his feathers are cut off. If I do wash off mud at night / shampoo at all then towel dry off and apply Thermatex leg wraps.
So Mud Guard does have my vote of approval for my animals and it works as far as I am concerned.

[mogadoga]

I use equi chaps and there a******* but also feed the mud guard suppliment. And swear by it!

[Mimi + Me]

Sorry what are the equichaps? The words got blanked out (you weren't being rude were you hee hee!)