Thinking about mud rash / mud fever and the new Robinsons book...

[Trewsers]

I know its not winter yet, but last year poor Joe suffered terribly with mud rash - even tho turnout was limited on the old yard poor lad still picked it up from being in the sandschool and the occasional field visit. Well, I'm thinking about getting some of those turnout boots / socks - what do you think? I know if I put them on when he's already started with it then its just going to trap the bacteria / infection, but if I put them on say, end September - do you think they'd work? Am really really wanting to prevent this - as he's going to be out a lot more when he comes home with us at the end of the year - I guess I had a bit of a "false" winter last year as there was practially no turn out - its going to be a bit of an eye opener I think! Have just got the new Robinsons catalogue so will see if theydo them - just wanted some opinions.

[andreaB]

depending on your horses size equestrian clearance are doing some sizes of the equilibrium equichaps , which are really good , at £30 pair , rrp is £50+ , worth a look

[eventerbabe]

we used the equilibrium hardy chaps on bonnie last winter. They are cheaper than the equichaps by a fair piece and they worked well. we were primarily using them for warmth, but they kept her legs clean and dry even in the worst mud. i'd definately recomend them :)

[Trewsers]

Thanks for the replies - I'm going to look on line - haven't had a proper look in the Robinsons book either yet. Can't believe I'm thinking about winter already!:rolleyes: Just don't want Joe to end up in a bad way this winter, it was bad enough with very restricted turn out last year!! At least there are things I can do to help prevent / manage it.

[NoviceNic]

Trewsers - Sand is just as bad as mud for sufferers. The sand is more abrasive and gets in the cuts and causes the fever to flare up. Good for you looking now. You can use the boots to prevent it. I have brought my rugs home today to give a wash and freshen up for the autumn and winter. Lets face it the weather has hardly been very kind this Summer. :(

[mogadoga]

Ive spoke to my vet about this. As he gets sores on his legs all year. He said the boots only work if its really boggy. Otherwise the heat/sweat can cause just as much damage.

So i onyl use mine for the worst months. And this worked.
When i used them religiously like many people do they didnt work. So keep that in mind! x

[Trewsers]

Novicenic - funny you should mention that with the sand - somebody else on the yard said exactly the same thing last night!! I really thought it was just muddy fields - you learn something new everyday!!! (You're right bout the weather too - horrid at the mo!) Mogadoga, will bear that in mind bout not putting them on all the time - I'll have to just play it by ear - fingers crossed he might not get it so bad this time.

[Jessey]

My filly has MF at the moment, it started in all that hot weather when the fields were dry as a bone, we have sandy soil round here so I think that is what opened the skin to the nasties.

Our Bowen lady recomended using Benzyl benzoate before you get the scabs, apparently it kills the bugs which are lurking on the skin waiting for a way to get in :D

J x

[eventerbabe]

My filly has MF at the moment, it started in all that hot weather when the fields were dry as a bone, we have sandy soil round here so I think that is what opened the skin to the nasties.

that's really interesting to know. i had noticed one or 2 scabs on toby's MF-prone leg yesterday but had dismissed it as not being MF.

[Trewsers]

Crumbs, better check Joe's legs tonight - knowing our luck it will have started already!! I brushed his legs the other night and didn't spot anything tho. Where would I get the Benzyl benzoate from? Is it something I'd have to get from the vet? I ought to ask them, they're coming out to see Joe Friday anyway.

[nicolaj]

You can get Benzoyl Benzoate from a chemist.:)

[Trewsers]

Ah right thanks, I'll be able to get some easily then.

[Jessey]

You can buy it from the vet if you want ;), but any chemist will get it for you (they rarely stock it now days) I got it from tesco recently and a big bottle was under a fiver and that will last me ages!
Jackie said just to wipe it over the skin once in a while to kill off the nasties that cause MF. MF nasties are almost always on the skin (all over most horses), you get the problem when the skin gets broken (soggy with mud so splits/chaps or scratched by sand etc etc) when it can then get in and fester. So the principle is to kill the nasties before they get in and cause problems, feeding garlic also seems to help alot and giving a course of echineacia would probably help too, its about getting the immune system up to be able to fight it more effectively (thats why some horses always seem to get it, they are lacking natural immunity to the bugs where some others are fine)

J x

[Sexy Sietske]

VASELINE!!! or even the cheap alternative. Get a massive pot of it and smear it all over the legs. Works a treat in muddy fields as it is nearly impossible for the mud to stick and can also help keep legs warm!! So therory is...no mud no mud fever!!:p If mud does get on the legs just wait for it to dry and a quick flick with the brush and gone!

I assume its okay to use on broken skin because you can use it on chapped lips :rolleyes: just make sure the legs are really clean before you put it on.

[Trewsers]

Thanks for all the info - I wish I'd known last year about what it is / what causes it - I think Joe must have gotten it just through going into the sandschool - I had visions of only horses getting it through standing in bogs in their fields!!

[Retty]

Hi there,
Used the chaps on Max last winter as he is prone to mud fever, they worked well until he managed to snag a hole in them :rolleyes: I won't be getting any more as I just know he will do the same thing again! Will be clipping any feathers off and applying good ole benzole Benz!