Mucky conditions are unavoidable when you work with horses. But frustrating problems like Mud Fever can be preventable... if you make the right moves!

Natural Ways to Prevent Scratches & Mud Fever

1. Minimize exposure to mud & moisture

Rotate paddocks to keep mud to a minimum, and keep your horse stabled with clean, dry bedding at night and when paddocks become mucky. Take care to groom daily and check your horse’s legs for early signs of problems. For horses prone to mud fever, clipping long hair can help keep moisture at bay.

2. Protect the skin before turnout

Use Coat Defense Daily Preventative Powder on your horses legs and body prior to exercise and turnout to create a barrier to moisture and help maintain your horse's natural skin protection. The all natural powder draws moisture away, helps keep Ph stable, and assists the skin's natural defenses.Shake the powder onto your hands or onto a brush, and rub onto your horse’s legs so they are well coated. Be sure to thoroughly coat the fetlock area, around the tops of hooves and behind the heel areas with powder.

For horses who are known to be prone to Mud Fever problems, our Trouble Spot Drying Paste provides a stronger layer of protection. The paste can be thinned with water and spread onto the legs. Apply and allow to dry before turning out your horses.

3. Wash & dry legs after turnout

The mud that clings to your horse after exercise or turnout contains nasty micro-organisms, so it's important to wash mud and moisture from paddocks and arenas off without stripping your horse's skin of natural protective barriers. CD Clean Shampoo is specially formulated with all natural ingredients to support the skin and immune systems of horses, dogs, and even humans! A little goes a long way, a pea size dollop per leg is just fine. Once your horse's legs are clean, dry thoroughly with a soft, clean, absorbent towel and apply a fresh coat of Coat Defense Daily Preventative Powder before bedding your horse down for the night.

Natural Ways to Treat Mud Fever

Mud Fever symptoms frustrating you and your horse? Here are some easy, natural things to try!

* note: For infections and severe cases, be sure to consult with your vet!

If you have stubborn scabs or a persistent problem, give us a shout! We are happy to help guide you. Contact info is at the bottom of this article.

1. Remove excess hair

Clip away any excess hair or shaggy feathers to help keep the area clean and dry.

2. Gently wash the affected area (only with skin-friendly shampoo)

Gently wash the area with warm water and a small amount (pea size dollop for each leg) of CD Clean Shampoo. Unlike other shampoos and antibiotic washes, Coat Defense does not use any ingredients that strip the skin of necessary healing oils and good-bacteria biomes. Remember, we are not only trying to cleanse and heal - we are working to support the skin's natural barriers and prevent further problems! Avoid irritating the skin with cold water or harsh scrubbing.

3. Gently and thoroughly dry the skin

Gently blot dry with a clean, soft, absorbent towel. If the scabs are softened and fall off, that's good.

4. Apply Preventative Powder

Once completely dry, apply Coat Defense Daily Preventative Powder all over each leg to draw away any remaining moisture and help maintain skin health.

5. Apply Trouble Spot Paste

Apply a liberal amount of Coat Defense Trouble Spot Drying Paste to any scabs, open sores, raw skin, and other irritated areas. Be sure the underlying hair is dry, as moisture can prevent the paste from sticking. To coat legs, you can thin the paste with water to a soupy texture that you then apply to the legs. The idea is to form a consistent barrier layer. If turning out, allow to dry first.

Repeat 2x Daily

Repeat this routine morning and night until you have achieved the desired results! Once symptoms have abated, continue to maintain optimal skin health with the preventative measures in part one.

Stubborn problems? Call Zena!

Our resident expert Zena is happy to take a look at a photo of your mud fever / scratches / scabby legs challenge and walk you step by step through how our products can help your horse and how to apply them. Trust us, she's seen it all! (661) 309-0829‬

Coat Defense is committed to helping your horse, naturally!

Thousands of horses have experienced fast relief from Mud Fever symptoms with Coat Defense products. Check out our reviews!

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