If your horse’s lower legs are scabby, swollen, or sensitive—especially after days of standing in wet, muddy paddocks—you’re likely dealing with mud fever (also known as pastern dermatitis, scratches, or greasy heel).
This painful condition is one of the most common equine skin problems, particularly for horses with feathered legs or pink skin. But here’s the good news: with the right care and daily prevention, you can stop it in its tracks—without harsh chemicals or endless vet treatments.
Let’s break down what causes mud fever, why it keeps coming back, and how COAT DEFENSE® provides a safe, natural remedy and long-term defense.
How to Stop Mud Fever in Horses — Naturally and for Good
What Exactly Is Mud Fever?
Mud fever is a bacterial and fungal skin infection that affects the lower legs—especially around the pasterns and heels.
It usually begins when constant wetness, mud, or sweat soften the skin, breaking down its natural barrier. Once the surface is compromised, opportunistic pathogens (like Dermatophilus congolensis) invade, causing painful inflammation, scabs, and oozing sores.
Left untreated, it can progress quickly, making your horse sore, lame, and prone to secondary infections.
Why Mud Fever Keeps Coming Back
Even after treatment, mud fever often returns because most solutions target the infection, not the environment that allows it to thrive.
Antibacterial washes and ointments may temporarily kill surface microbes—but they also strip away the skin’s natural oils and microbiome, leaving the barrier weaker and more vulnerable the next time it rains.
Mud fever is really a skin-barrier issue and a moisture-management issue.
That’s why COAT DEFENSE® works differently.
COAT DEFENSE®: The Dry Solution
Instead of poisoning bacteria or fungi, COAT DEFENSE® products change the environment so pathogens can’t survive or multiply.
1. COAT DEFENSE® Trouble Spot Drying Paste
For existing scabs or raw skin, the paste offers targeted healing and protection.
-
Draws out infection and moisture while keeping dirt away.
-
Creates a protective barrier that promotes healing from the inside out.
-
Ideal for open sores or thick scabs caused by mud fever.
Simply apply a thin layer to the area, let it dry, and continue to apply as it flakes off until healed. Most horses show visible improvement in just a few days.
Pro Tip - For areas of high movement, thin with a little witch hazel to keep it from flaking off too easily as your horse moves.
2. COAT DEFENSE® Preventative Powder
Our most versatile solution—it’s both a remedy and a preventative.
-
Dries excess moisture and keeps skin clean and balanced.
-
Stops bacteria and fungi from finding a place to thrive.
-
Soothes irritation without burning or stinging.
-
Non-toxic and safe for daily use, even on sensitive skin.
Apply the powder directly to prone areas to prevent mud fever. Continue daily as part of your grooming routine—especially during wet or humid weather—to keep it from returning.
Use it on legs before turnout as a protective dry barrier, and again after rinsing or riding to ensure the skin stays dry and comfortable.
3. COAT DEFENSE® Sensitive Skin Horse Shampoo
Our aloe-based shampoo is free of sulfates, parabens, and detergents that strip natural oils. Instead, it:
-
Cleanses without over-drying.
-
Supports the skin's natural microbiome.
-
Calms inflammation and soothes itch.
Use it as part of your routine to maintain skin health and keep mud fever from gaining a foothold.
Preventing Mud Fever Long-Term
Consistency is everything when it comes to prevention.
Here’s a simple, natural routine for healthier skin all season long:
-
Keeps legs dry. After turnout, towel off and apply COAT DEFENSE® Preventative Powder.
-
Use Paste as protection on heels and pasterns during wet spells.
-
Shampoo with Sensitive Skin Horse Shampoo to remove buildup and balance the skin when needed.
-
Avoid petroleum or caustic ointments that trap moisture.
-
Maintain clean bedding and reduce exposure to deep mud whenever possible.
Why Horse Owners Trust COAT DEFENSE®
Thousands of riders, barn managers, and veterinarians love that COAT DEFENSE® delivers real results without toxins. It’s safe, effective, and designed for horses living real barn lives—not lab conditions.
-
Heals fast.
-
Prevents recurrence.
-
Reduces the body's toxic burden.
-
Easy, mess-free application.
No stinging. No harsh smells. No stress for your horse.
Stop Mud Fever Before It Starts
Mud fever doesn’t have to be a recurring nightmare. With the COAT DEFENSE® line—Preventative Powder, Trouble Spot Drying Paste, and Sensitive Skin Horse Shampoo—you can dry, protect, and heal naturally.
Protect your horse’s skin barrier, restore comfort, and say goodbye to those painful skin struggles for good.
Shop the COAT DEFENSE® Mud Fever Collection — fast relief, natural protection, and prevention that lasts.
