The key to preventing and managing mud fever in horses is to protect your horse’s legs from the wet and mud so that bacteria cannot enter the horse’s body via compromised areas of skin. A cut or wound, tack rubbing (an over-reach boot for example) or skin that has softened due to constant wet conditions can all cause one of the most common winter horse health issues: mud fever. For most horse owners, preventing it means you’re going to need some decent mud fever products — a barrier cream at least — in your tack room ready to use when your horse’s legs get wet.
Applying a barrier cream to legs before daily turnout, thoroughly drying legs each time they get wet and considering using a pair of purppose-made turnout boots are effective ways to prevent mud fever. Some people use one or the other, other people might use all three — choose whatever works best for you and your horse.
The name mud fever is misleading as it doesn’t actually need mud to occur, just wet conditions, and it is caused by a number of bacterial or fungal infections. These bugs or fungi are normal inhabitants of a horse’s skin, but persistent wetting of the epidermis over the winter months causes damage, letting in infection. Learn all you need to know about mud fever here.
There are plenty of mud fever products and barrier creams on the market, which we’ve rounded up below:
Shop for a barrier cream
NAF Love the Skin He’s In Mud Gard Barrier Cream
This is a nourishing barrier cream that will help protect your horse’s skin from the wet and mud. It contains MSM to support healthy skin and hair growth, as well as rosemary to soothe sore skin.
RRP £24.99 (US$31.99) for 1.25kg
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Nettex Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream
This barrier cream provides waterproof, breathable and antibacterial protection for your horse’s legs against wet and muddy conditions.
RRP £18.98 (US$22 sale price) for 600ml
Buying in the UK? Find a stockist here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Equinat Aromaheel Mud & Wet Ointment
Made from natural ingredients known for their antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, this ointment works as a barrier, softens scabs and soothes skin for the prevention and management of mud fever.
RRP £23.90 (US$22.20) for 200g
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Cavalor MudDoc
A mud fever balm with essential oils; contains aloe vera, lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree oil. Stimulates blood circulation for fast recovery from mud fever.
RRP £32.50 (US$42) for 200ml
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Equimins Mud Block Cream
A range of ingredients including tea tree oil and lavender oil help to support your horse’s skin and keep it healthy.
RRP £10.31 for 500g
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Not currently available in the USA. European delivery available (product RRP €12.16
Shop for other mud fever products
Ruff and Tumble Drying Mitts
Originally designed for drying dogs — but found to work really well on horses too! The mitts are made of two layers of cotton towelling, and they absorb wet and wipe away mud easily. They are soft and feel lovely to use, while being extra-long in length to cover most of your arm means they protect your clothes too.
Your Horse’s tester says: “These mitts are a fabulous idea and they make drying off your horse’s legs and other parts of their body so quick and easy. My mare has white legs and, in the past, has suffered from mud fever so whenever her legs are washed, I’m always very careful to make sure they are dry. The Drying Mitts give me that piece of mind that her heels are completely dry because I can easily get to these areas.” Read the full review here.
RRP £24.95 (US$27)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Henry Wag Noodle Glove Towel
Made with soft, highly absorbent microfibre, the Henry Wag Noodle Glove Towel makes cleaning and drying simple. It is effective in removing dirt and water from a horse’s lower legs helping to reduce the risks of infection and sores. Easily washable at 30 degrees.
RRP £19.99 (US$11)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
N.E.W Freedom Stretch Turnout Socks
These boots help to guard against mud fever and keep the legs clean and dry, providing protection from below the knee and hock to the hoof, and shaped to the leg to avoid spinning or slipping. All seams are stitched with heavy duty rot-proof thread to ensure that they withstand daily winter use.
RRP £35.99 (US$66.76)
Buying in the UK? Purchase here
Buying in the USA? Purchase here
Main image: copyright: Shutterstock
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- Horse grooming: expert advice for a mud- and dust-free coat that shines
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- 7 common winter vet call outs and how to avoid them
