Another joy of owning a horse!! Moisture gets under the hair, mostly on the legs, it gets trapped in there and it starts to create sores.
Mud Fever is a fungal infection. It creates these sores that scab over. The treatment is to pick the scabs off. Some people just put Zinc cream on to keep any more moisture out but, I being in the medical profession, decided to go one step further–an anti-fungal cream! Why not?
The other issue is that it should be done at least three times a week–we’re only out at the barn twice a week, so, here, on my extra day off for Thanksgiving (Canadian), I will be heading out to the barn in order to treat our dear, poor, pony who has once again managed to get this horrible infection.
Oh the joys. I guess it beats having to have a vet out constantly to look after it for which we are grateful.
In a few weeks my little team of two will be showing, at “home”. It has definitely been quite the challenge since I now work 6 days a week! I’m trying to rearrange things so I can have that day off but it’s more difficult than it looks apparently!
If you’re looking to own a horse, ask about its history with fungal infections. As I said, there are far worse things for your horse to have, but this, it’s a pain in the butt for you and a pain in the leg(s) for your horse!
Journal of a Horse Mom 