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Mud fever in horses
Quick answer
**Mud fever (pastern dermatitis)** is common on UK yards in wet weather — scabs and sores on the pastern from bacteria infecting softened skin. **Keep legs dry, clip heavy feathering, and contact your equine vet** if legs are swollen, hot, or lame.
Key takeaways
- Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is skin inflammation of the lower leg — scabs, sores, and swelling — triggered by prolonged wet muddy conditions and bacterial infection of damaged skin.
- Wet mud softens skin; repeated wet-dry cycles and dirt allow bacteria (often Dermatophilus) to infect the pastern. Long feathering on heavy breeds traps moisture.
- Keep legs dry and clean, gently remove loose scabs as advised by your vet, use prescribed topical or systemic treatment, and avoid returning to deep mud until healed. Severe cases need veterinary assessment.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is mud fever in horses?
- Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is skin inflammation of the lower leg — scabs, sores, and swelling — triggered by prolonged wet muddy conditions and bacterial infection of damaged skin.
- What causes mud fever?
- Wet mud softens skin; repeated wet-dry cycles and dirt allow bacteria (often Dermatophilus) to infect the pastern. Long feathering on heavy breeds traps moisture.
- How do you treat mud fever?
- Keep legs dry and clean, gently remove loose scabs as advised by your vet, use prescribed topical or systemic treatment, and avoid returning to deep mud until healed. Severe cases need veterinary assessment.