Actually, the difference between mud fever and scratches is not so much about what they are, but where they occur. Mud fever is located at the lower parts of the legs, in the pastern area or around the fetlock and cannon bone. Scratches are higher up, usually on the hind legs, often at the front of the hock, and sometimes even higher. However, mud fever and scratches often have the same causes.

Collective Term

Mud fever is a kind of collective term. It refers to an irritation or inflammation of the skin, usually in the pastern area or on the lower legs. Symptoms include redness, flakes, sores, crusts, swelling, itching, and/or pain. Mud fever can be caused by bacteria and fungi or by parasites such as mites.

Scratches

Scratches is a form of (dry) mud fever but occurs higher up on the leg, often at the front of the hock. Severe mite infections can also appear higher up on the legs.

Dry Mud Fever

Dry mud fever is characterized by skin flakes and cracks. For dry mud fever, it can be useful to wash the legs once (not more often as it may damage the natural protection). Do not remove the crusts from dry mud fever; they will fall off on their own as the skin underneath heals. You can use mud fever ointment. If the mud fever is very persistent, an antibiotic ointment from the vet might be an option. However, be aware that this also removes beneficial skin bacteria, so a spray with effective microorganisms can help restore the skin after an antibiotic treatment.

With wet mud fever, you will see blisters and wound fluid.

Solutions for Mud Fever and Scratches

You can address skin problems like mud fever and scratches on your horse's legs in two main ways: from the inside and the outside. To treat skin damage and crusts, a wash with an antiseptic shampoo, special ointment, and a spray with good bacteria and yeasts (called ‘Effective Microorganisms’) are very suitable. If your horse has a mite infection, you need to actively treat it. This should be done multiple times to address all stages of the mites.

In addition to external treatment, it's wise to help your horse from the inside to combat mud fever. If your horse has a lot of itching and skin inflammations, a clove supplement can help. The powerful plant cannabinoids from the clove plant work as pain relievers, itch relievers, and anti-inflammatory agents. It also helps rebalance the immune system. To remove toxins from all the inflammatory reactions, giving your horse a mild nettle course after treating the mud fever can be a good idea. Once your horse is completely ‘clean,’ you can prevent a new mite infestation by adding a special herbal supplement to the feed to address rubbing and stamping.