What is Mud Fever?
Mud fever is a catchall phrase for a variety of skin issues that arise in damp, muddy conditions. Rain rot shares the same characteristics, just typically on the back, withers or neck. The same bacterium, dermatophilus congolensis, causes both conditions, along with many others.
When Does Mud Fever Happen?
Mud fever flares during the fall and spring, even in the winter if the ground doesn't freeze. It's a time of year horse owners dread. Not just because of the rain and snow, it's officially mud season.
This is the time of year that our typically dry pastures suddenly become mud pits straight from the Swamp of Sadness in The Never Ending Story. Only now, we have to pluck our own Artax from the sinking, sticky, boot sucking mud.
A particularly annoying part of this season, besides cleaning the mud off your horse constantly and trying to find a somewhat dry spot to put hay piles, is the inevitable mud fever that comes along with it. For some horses, no matter how much brushing, washing, scrubbing, drying and ointment applying that we do, they just seem to have this gunk stuck to their legs like glue.
I am a believer! It’s a miracle for Mud Fever. I have been dealing with this issue for months! I applied 2 applications; Sunday and Tuesday and then had to go out of town. I came home last night, pulled him out of the stall to hose his leg down and the scabs were gone. Down to fresh skin!
-JILL ROMASK; MIDDLEFIELD, OHIO
How do you treat mud fever in horses?
Here is the interesting thing about this bacteria, it’s in a family called actinomycetes. Actinomycetes behave like both bacteria and fungi. This is why the debate on how to treat mud fever lasted so long, it displays symptoms of both. Horses naturally have these organisms on their skin; they lay dormant until muddy, damp conditions cause them to flare-up. So, what if there was a way to keep this bacterium from flaring up and thriving?
Well, lucky for horse owners, a new product has hit the market that actually treats mud fever. It's called COAT DEFENSE®, and it's about to be your go-to grooming aids for keeping your horse’s skin clear and healthy.
What's COAT DEFENSE®?
COAT DEFENSE® TROUBLE SPOT DRYING PASTE is used AFTER the skin is heavily inflamed or broken. The thick consistency creates a protective barrier and defends the skin cells from pathogens and moisture. Fungus and bacteria require moisture to survive and thrive. COAT DEFENSE® TROUBLE SPOT DRYING PASTE provides the skin with a dry environment to enable healing, it continuously draws out moisture, and allows the body to repair damaged cells. You can see it treat Billiam's mud fever in the video below...
COAT DEFENSE® daily PREVENTATIVE POWDER is used BEFORE the skin is heavily inflamed or broken. It can be used as a barrier against skin and coat ailments, while also treating the early stages of fungus and bacteria buildup. This can be applied all over to help PREVENT mud fever.
COAT DEFENSE® is an all-natural solution with no harsh chemicals. While many other treatments contain chemicals that can actually cause harm to healthy skin, COAT DEFENSE® will aid in clearing up scabs, while nurturing healthy skin.
Put an end to the vicious cycle of mud fever, rain rot, scratches and more with our Heal & Prevent Package. It includes a 24oz TROUBLE SPOT DRYING PASTE and 8oz DAILY PREVENTATIVE POWDERto help alleviate all your open skin ailments! The bonus? FREE SHIPPING!