SKIN & HOOVES
The winter months can mean mud, mud, glorious mud and this brings challenges for our horses’ wellbeing. Charlotte Cooper looks at common winter skin and foot conditions, as well as how to prevent them or help with the healing process
PREVENTATIVE CARE & TREATMENT
THE SKIN IS the largest organ of the horse’s body and in the winter it can take a bit of a battering due to cold, wet conditions. Standing in muddy fields and wearing soggy rugs isn’t part of horse’s natural habitat, and both can lead to a range of uncomfortable conditions.
But what are the main winter worries for equines and their owners and how can a horse be kept free of these cold weather scourges?
Mud fever
■ Pastern dermatitis — also known as mud fever, cracked heels, or greasy heel — is a common issue that affects a horse’s lower leg. It particularly occurs in heavily feathered animals with white socks and pale skin.
The name is misleading as it doesn’t need mud to occur, just wet conditions, and it is caused by a number of bacterial or fungal infections.
These bugs or fungi are normal inhabitants of a horse’s skin, but persistent wetting of the epidermis over the winter months causes damage, letting in infection.
An owner will be able to spot crusty lesions on the back of the pastern and down to the heel, and these can be very sore, leading to lameness in severe cases.
■ The early stages of the condition chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL) — which also affects heavily feathered horses — can present very much like mud fever, according to equine vet Ben Curnow. Affected horses end up with thickened lower legs, with skin folds and lumps which are prone to bacterial and parasitic infections.
Anyone concerned by such symptoms should always consult their vet.
Prevention better than cure
Traditionally, equestrians have discovered different ways to reduce the chances of pastern dermatitis, and success will depend on the individual horse as well as how the owner tackles the problem, according to Ben.
“Some people think that the best way forward is to wash off the legs and dry them when the horse comes in for the night, while others prefer to let the mud dry on the legs and brush it off in the morning. You should do whatever works for you, although
