Mud Fever and Cracked Heels in Horses

Mud fever or cracked heels: what's the difference?

Mud fever, or dermatophilosis, is a skin infection caused by a bacterium, Dermatophilus congolensis, which thrives when the skin stays wet. It forms scabs that leave bald patches when they fall off. Unlike sweet itch, it hardly itches at all.

Cracked heels are splits in the skin in the folds of the pastern: softened by moisture, the skin loses its elasticity and tears with every step. The two often go together and mostly affect the lower legs. Horses with white socks, pale coats or heavy feathering are more prone to them.

Signs of mud fever and cracked heels in horses

• Red, grainy skin that is sore to the touch in the hollow of the pastern.
• Yellowish or brownish scabs, with pink, weeping skin underneath.
• Cracks that may bleed, sometimes a slight smell.
• Bald patches where scabs have fallen off.

Call your vet straight away if the leg swells, becomes hot above the pastern or the horse goes lame: these are signs of a deeper infection.

Mud fever and cracked heels: what helps

Keep legs dry. A less muddy paddock, clean bedding, legs dried thoroughly after every wash: constant moisture keeps the problem going. Clipping the feather around the area also helps the care reach the skin.

Clean gently. Sensitive Shampoo cleans, soothes and sanitises affected skin: twice a week at first, then once a week, then twice a month. Never pull scabs off dry.

Repair the skin:

• Healing cream*: on damaged areas once the scabs are removed. It gradually softens scabs, even long-standing ones, while moisturising the skin.
• Soothing spray: takes over when the skin is too sensitive for the cream.
• Thermequin Terre: a thin layer on affected pasterns, when the skin is not broken.

The cream and spray come together in the Essential Pack.

Our guide to mud fever in horses

• Fighting mud fever in horses with Thermequin

Mud fever: frequently asked questions

*Does not replace veterinary advice.