Managing Mud Fever in Wet UK Springs: Prevention and Treatment

Spring in the UK means more daylight and the chance to turn horses out more consistently — but it also brings its fair share of challenges. With the ground still wet from winter, mud fever quickly becomes a concern for many horse owners. 

Mud fever is one of those frustrating, recurring conditions that can affect any horse — but it’s particularly common in damp climates and clay-based paddocks, which we have in abundance here in Britain. It’s caused when wet, muddy conditions break down the skin’s natural barrier, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infection. Once it takes hold, it can result in scabbing, hair loss, heat, and in more serious cases, swelling or lameness.

Why Spring is a Problem

Spring might bring a welcome boost in temperature and grass growth, but the ground often remains saturated from winter rain. Add regular spring showers into the mix, and fields and gateways quickly return to a muddy mess. Horses spending more time outside are exposed to moisture for longer periods, especially on their lower limbs, where constant contact with wet mud can cause the skin to soften and break down — the perfect conditions for mud fever to develop.

Feathered legs, white socks, and sensitive skin types tend to be more prone, but any horse turned out in soggy fields can be affected. Prevention, then, becomes a daily consideration.

Preventing Mud Fever Before It Starts

While it’s near-impossible to eliminate mud entirely, the aim is to reduce the skin’s prolonged exposure to moisture and bacteria. That means looking at both field management and leg care routines.

Some horse owners choose to clip the lower legs to make drying and cleaning easier, especially in horses with heavy feathers. Others prefer to leave the hair as a natural barrier — both approaches can work, depending on the horse and your routine. What matters is that legs are kept as clean and dry as realistically possible.

Using a mud barrier cream or water-repellent spray can help create a protective layer on the skin, reducing how much mud comes into direct contact. These are especially useful before turnout and after a wash-down, offering that extra buffer during wet days. Alternatively, some riders use breathable turnout chaps to shield legs from mud — these need to be fitted properly and checked daily to avoid rubbing or slipping.

Small adjustments in the field can make a surprising difference too. If you can rotate grazing or add hardstanding around water troughs and gateways, you’ll reduce the time horses spend standing in deep mud. It’s not always an option, but when it is, it pays off in the long run.

Spotting the Early Signs

With mud fever, early detection is everything. Look out for signs like scabby patches on the heels or pasterns, heat or swelling in the lower legs, or a horse becoming sensitive when touched in those areas. You may also see the coat lifting or hair falling out in tufts. Catching it at this stage makes treatment simpler and recovery much faster.

Treating Mud Fever the Right Way

Once mud fever appears, the goal is to clear up the infection and stop it from worsening. Start by gently cleaning the area using a mild antibacterial or antifungal wash, ideally something formulated for equine skin. Use warm water to soften scabs — but avoid scrubbing or picking, which can cause further irritation.

After washing, dry the leg thoroughly with a clean towel. Leaving moisture behind only invites more bacteria. Once the skin is dry, you can apply a specialist mud fever cream to soothe the area and create a barrier from further mud exposure. These creams often contain antibacterial properties and skin-soothing ingredients to encourage healing while offering protection during turnout.

Daily Routines That Help

Managing mud fever effectively often comes down to consistency. Making leg checks part of your daily routine — especially in spring — means you can catch changes early. If you do wash legs regularly, always make sure they’re dried thoroughly, and alternate between washing and dry brushing to avoid over-wetting the skin.

Some horse owners find that using topical sprays or creams daily, even as a preventative during muddy weeks, keeps the skin resilient. Others turn to supplements that support skin health, such as those containing zinc, biotin, or omega oils — all of which can help maintain the skin’s barrier function from the inside out.