Mud fever on hind legs

[NewHorseMom]

My horse has some kind of fungus on his hind legs. It's on the front of the cannons and a bit on the back of his legs on the tendons below the hocks. How do I get rid of this and why is he getting this? Does anyone else have this? It's a bit thick and scabby and I can pick at it. Is this mud fever? There is no mud right now...

[striderrider]

I have seen some horses get this. Usually when it starts to get hot and they sweat a lot under their boots. Wash with an iodine shampoo after every ride and it should clear it up.

[horse99]

It sounds like it could be mud fever. There is this amazing cream that you get from the vet, it's called Special Formula or something like that and it's an antibiotic/anti fungal cream. I have used it for various skin issues and it has cleared most things up really well. It's cheap too- around $6 a tube.

[ThisOnesWild]

Mud Fever or scratches can be a nightmare!!

The virus is able to live in the dirt for ages, i would try to see that your horse has his own paddock to avoid contamination.

Horses with white legs generally are more prone to this. Also high sugar grains can become a source of the persisting problem, but not the cause.

Washing legs daily with a anti-fungal wash and apply a anti fungal cream religiously!!!!!
Generally with mud fever there will be swelling in the local area as well.

Otherwise it's just a fungus and you should probably try washing your horse boots on a more consistant basis to avoid build up of sweat and dirt and try washing legs after workouts to help keep it under control.

[ThisOnesWild]

Mud Fever is generally on the back of the lower fetlock to the heal. The cannon bone area is a bit high and unlikely it's scratches.

[horse99]

Otherwise it's just a fungus and you should probably try washing your horse boots on a more consistant basis to avoid build up of sweat and dirt and try washing legs after workouts to help keep it under control.

I use wraps on the hind legs now instead of boots as boots would cause a fungus breakout almost everytime I used them on my horse. And he has white legs and they are way more prone to stuff. Who would have thought.