Mud fever. Pastern dermatitis. Greasy heels. Scabby legs. Whatever name you use, it is one of the most common winter frustrations for horse owners in the UK, and it nearly always starts the same way: damp skin, compromised barrier, and a perfect environment for irritation and infection.
The good news is that most cases can be avoided, or caught early, with a routine that is simple, consistent, and focused on keeping the skin barrier healthy. This guide covers what to look for, what to do daily, what not to do, when to involve your vet, and how to support skin “from the inside out”.
What is mud fever (pastern dermatitis)?
Mud fever is an umbrella term for inflammation and infection of the skin on the lower limbs, most commonly around the pasterns, heels, and fetlocks. It is strongly associated with wet, muddy conditions and prolonged moisture on the skin.
It is not one single cause. It can involve bacteria, fungi, mites, and irritation from mud and repeated wetting. Continuous moisture weakens the skin’s natural barrier and makes it easier for organisms to get established.
Why winter triggers it so easily
Winter creates the perfect conditions:
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Chronic wetting from mud, rain, and saturated turnout.
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Skin maceration (softening of the skin) from staying damp
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Micro-abrasions from grit and mud, creating tiny entry points
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Feathers that trap moisture and make drying harder
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Stable hygiene challenges when bedding is damp or dirty
Early signs checklist (catch it before it escalates)
Mud fever often starts subtly, especially under feathers or winter coat. Aim to check legs daily by touch, not just by sight.
Look for:
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Heat or tenderness in the pastern/fetlock area.
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Small scabs or crusts that feel raised under your fingers
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Redness, sore patches, or irritation
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Weeping or sticky discharge
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Swelling around the pastern, fetlock, or lower limb
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Itching, stamping, or obvious discomfort
If you catch it early, you can often prevent it becoming a painful, time-consuming problem.
A simple daily leg-care routine that actually works
The goal is not to obsessively scrub legs. The goal is to protect the barrier, reduce wet exposure, and keep skin clean and dry.
Step 1: Quick daily check (30 seconds)
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Run your hands down each lower leg.
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Feel for heat, tenderness, scabs, or swelling.
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If your horse has feathers, part them and check the skin underneath.
Step 2: Remove mud gently
If legs are muddy but the skin looks healthy:
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Let the mud dry, then brush it off gently.
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Avoid washing “just because”. Frequent washing can strip natural oils and soften the skin, making it more vulnerable.
If you do need to wash:
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Use warm water (not cold), and keep it quick.
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Use a mild, properly diluted antibacterial/antiseptic wash if advised, then rinse.
Step 3: Dry thoroughly (non-negotiable)
Drying is where most routines fall down.
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Pat dry with clean towels.
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If feathers are thick, consider clipping to allow effective drying and treatment.
Step 4: Barrier support (only when appropriate)
Barrier creams can be helpful for prevention, but they are not a cure-all.
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Use barrier products on clean, dry skin.
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Avoid applying heavy products over active infection without guidance, as you can trap moisture and bacteria.
Step 5: Keep a “mud fever kit” ready
So you act quickly at the first sign:
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Clean towels
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Mild wash (for when washing is appropriate)
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Clippers (for feathered legs if needed)
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Gloves
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A notebook or phone note to track: which leg, where, what changed
Turnout and stable hygiene (the part that makes everything easier)
Prevention is often less about products and more about environment.
Turnout management
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Reduce time standing in deep mud, especially if your horse is prone to mud fever. This may mean rotating paddocks or stabling during the wettest periods.Improve high-traffic areas like gateways with hardcore, mats, or a dedicated turnout pen.
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Avoid overcrowding, which churns fields faster.
Stable management
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Muck out daily and keep bedding clean and dry. Avoid deep littering if it leaves legs standing in damp bedding.
These changes sound basic, but they make your daily routine far more effective.
What not to do (common mistakes that make it worse)
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Do not overwash legs as a default winter habit. It can strip protective oils and soften skin.
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Do not leave legs damp, even “a little”. Chronic moisture is a major risk factor.
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Do not pick scabs aggressively. If you need to remove scabs for treatment, do it gently and ideally with guidance, because you can leave raw, painful skin.
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Do not ignore swelling, heat, or pain. That is when simple home management is no longer enough.
When to involve your vet
Mud fever can become severe quickly, and some cases need diagnosis to rule out mites, fungi, cellulitis, or other skin conditions.
Speak to your vet promptly if you see:
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Marked swelling, heat, pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms Lameness or reluctance to move
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Open sores, spreading lesions, or heavy dischargeSigns of cellulitis, where the whole limb becomes hot, swollen and very painful
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No improvement after a few days of careful management
Early veterinary advice matters, especially in recurrent or severe cases.
Nutrition and “skin from the inside out” support
Topical routines matter, but so does skin resilience.
A healthy skin barrier depends on overall nutrition, including trace minerals and essential fatty acids that support skin maintenance and repair. Sources discussing skin and coat nutrition commonly highlight nutrients such as zinc, copper, biotin, and fatty acids as key contributors to skin and coat health.
If your horse struggles with recurring scabby legs, waxy scabs, or generally poor skin condition in winter, it is worth reviewing:
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forage and bucket feed balance
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whether a vitamin and mineral balancer is already covering trace minerals
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whether your horse is sensitive to sugar and starch, especially if prone to metabolic issues
Product support: DermaSecret
If you are building a winter skin routine and want a feed-based option designed for skin and mineral support, DermaSecret is Radiance Gold’s low sugar, molasses-free, cereal-free vitamins and minerals supplement. It is formulated to support skin and coat, with a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, and is positioned as suitable for horses and ponies prone to weight gain, laminitis, and Cushing’s.
It is also described as supporting management of waxy scabs linked to excess keratin production, which can be relevant for horses that struggle with recurrent scab formation across winter.
(As always, if your horse has a diagnosed condition, or you are feeding multiple supplements, check compatibility with your vet or nutritionist.)
Your simple winter plan (copy and save this)
Daily
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Hands-on check of lower legs
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Dry brush mud off when possible
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If you wash, use warm water and dry thoroughly
Weekly
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Review turnout pinch points (gateways, walkways)
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Keep stable bedding dry and clean
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Check heels and pasterns properly under feathers
If prone to mud fever
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Reduce time in deep mud during wettest spells
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Consider feather management if drying is impossible
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Review nutrition and mineral coverage, plus skin support