Mud fever made simple

Immediate Actions (The Essentials)

• Bring the horse onto dry footing
• Mud fever thrives in moisture. Getting the legs dry is the single most important first step.
• Trim or part the hair
• Expose the skin so you can clearly see lesions. Avoid shaving raw or irritated skin.
• Do one gentle clean
• Use a mild antiseptic wash (chlorhexidine or dilute Hibiscrub 0.1%).
• Lather, leave for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.
• Dry thoroughly
• Use disposable paper towels — cloth towels can reintroduce bacteria.
• Remove scabs — gently
• Mud fever bacteria live under the scabs, so they must be removed once softened.
• Soften with baby oil, emollient cream, or a cold poultice.
• Wrap loosely with clingfilm for 1–3 days, then gently lift scabs off.
• If removal is extremely painful → call your vet.

Internal support:

• Adding Mugal to feed or water during this stage helps support the horse’s natural healing response while the skin is inflamed and vulnerable.

Treating the Skin After Cleaning

• Apply a thin, breathable antibacterial cream
• Avoid thick greasy ointments that trap moisture.
• If there is discharge or infection
• Use an antibiotic ointment from your vet.
• Keep the horse on dry bedding overnight
• Moisture at night slows healing dramatically.
• Repeat gentle cleaning + drying twice daily

Consistency is key.
Internal support: 

• Continue Mugal daily to help support immune balance and skin recovery while external treatments handle the infection.

How to Prevent Mud Fever

• Improve paddock conditions
• Add gravel, hoggin, or woodchip to gateways.
• Move water troughs regularly.
• Rotate paddocks to avoid deep mud.
• Use sacrifice paddocks in winter.
• Daily skin care
• Check pasterns for scabs or heat.
• Dry legs after turnout.
• Apply a light barrier cream if the paddock is wet.
• Remove mud gently — never scrub.
• Keep bedding dry and clean.
• Trim feathers to reduce moisture retention.

Internal support:

• Using Mugal during wet seasons or when horses are prone to mud fever helps support skin resilience from the inside out, reducing the likelihood of flare‑ups.

Causes of Mud Fever

• Infectious Causes
• Dermatophilus congolensis (primary organism)
• Secondary bacterial infection (Staph, Strep, mixed bacteria)
• Fungal involvement (yeasts, dermatophytes)
• Environmental Causes
• Persistent moisture on the skin
• Standing in mud or wet grass
• Wet rugs or sweat trapped under covers
• Poor paddock drainage / muddy gateways
• Long feathers trapping moisture
• Irritation from sand, grit, or rough surfaces
• Skin Barrier & Health Factors
• Skin abrasions or small cuts
• Over‑washing or harsh shampoos damaging the skin barrier
• Sunburn on white socks (solar dermatitis)
• Feather mites causing irritation and micro‑damage
• Compromised immune system (PPID/Cushing’s)
• Poor skin health from underlying liver issues
• Nutritional deficiencies (low zinc, copper, vitamin E)

 Internal support:

• Mugal can be helpful when mud fever is linked to immune stress, inflammation, or poor skin resilience — supporting the horse internally while environmental and topical factors are addressed.