Post by brigadier on Feb 17, 2014 9:53:29 GMT
Thought Id share this which was on the dredded FB
SHOULD I BE WASHING THE MUD OFF EVERY DAY?
At EqWest Equine Clinic we often are asked if horses should have the mud washed off their legs when they come in in the afternoon. After all, mud fever is caused by mud isn't it?.....Well , not quite. Out-wintered horses that spend their days hock-deep in mud rarely suffer from mud fever, and mud fever is rare in wet summers. It seems that it is the constant wetting and CHILLING of legs that is the key predisposing factor. We have shown, by washing just one front leg with a hosepipe and then scanning both front legs with a thermographic camera, that the washed leg remains significantly colder than the unwashed for at least two hours afterwards.
The picture shows a pony that had it legs washed free of mud every day last winter, yet suffered from severe mud fever in all four legs. On our advice this winter the owner just applies leg wraps directly on top on the muddy legs, to dry and warm them. The legs are never washed, just brushed in the morning. And contrary to what you might expect, it has been completely free of mud fever this winter - one of the wettest and muddiest we have ever had!
Please share this if you have friends who are a bit keen with the hose-pipe every day!
SHOULD I BE WASHING THE MUD OFF EVERY DAY?
At EqWest Equine Clinic we often are asked if horses should have the mud washed off their legs when they come in in the afternoon. After all, mud fever is caused by mud isn't it?.....Well , not quite. Out-wintered horses that spend their days hock-deep in mud rarely suffer from mud fever, and mud fever is rare in wet summers. It seems that it is the constant wetting and CHILLING of legs that is the key predisposing factor. We have shown, by washing just one front leg with a hosepipe and then scanning both front legs with a thermographic camera, that the washed leg remains significantly colder than the unwashed for at least two hours afterwards.
The picture shows a pony that had it legs washed free of mud every day last winter, yet suffered from severe mud fever in all four legs. On our advice this winter the owner just applies leg wraps directly on top on the muddy legs, to dry and warm them. The legs are never washed, just brushed in the morning. And contrary to what you might expect, it has been completely free of mud fever this winter - one of the wettest and muddiest we have ever had!
Please share this if you have friends who are a bit keen with the hose-pipe every day!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
One particular owner scubbed thir mare's lags every night and then she appeared in turnout boots to stop her getting mud fever!!! Sadly any advice advice fell on deaf ears; poor mare. More infuriating was that they washed her legs outside my barn and then took her to her stable in the bottom barn; they never once considered that all the water may freeze overnight and prevent our horses being turned out due to an impromtu skating rink! I personally rub their legs down with hay or straw and then they have Thermatx leg wraps; never had a problem with this regimen. I don't need to wash the wraps that often as any mud brushes off easily.
