No Horse! No Hoof,

It is not just the hoof that is affected by wet conditions, the delicate skin around the pastern can develop a bacterial infection commonly known as mud fever. This can be extremely painful and difficult to manage.

Snow And Ice

The discission of whether to keep horses shod or not through winter varies from horse to horse. Regardless of whether their shoes are on or off, regular trimming should still be taking place. Shod horses may suffer a little more in snowy conditions, as snow can accumulate and compact in the soles of feet. Whereas unshod horses may find the frozen ground more difficult to walk on and are more susceptible to bruising of the sole.

Foot Abscesses

Even though most cases are straightforward to remedy, a foot abscess is extremely painful for horses and efforts should be made to reduce the risk of them occurring. Abscesses occurs when bacteria enter the hoof capsule and causes an infection. The build-up of infection and inflammation results in increasing pressure as the solid hoof wall can’t expand, and it is this increasing pressure that is so painful. Throughout winter the changing conditions from wet to dry and warm to cold, cause the hoof wall to expand and contract. This creates opportunity for bacteria to invade the hoof capsule and infection to set in. This is made easier still by feet being regularly coated in mud, in which the bacteria live. While abscesses can occur despite even the best hoof management, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of this painful condition. Firstly, keep feet trimmed regularly to reduce the chance of cracks and splits. If the hoof wall isn’t compromised, bacteria cannot enter. Daily care should include cleaning your horse’s feet thoroughly once a day to remove the mud. Try to avoid using excessive amounts of water on the hooves while cleaning – use a hoof brush and towel to removes mud and dry the feet. After cleaning, the of barrier creams such as Nettex Hoof Tar spray create a waterproof yet breathable barrier that prevents water and dirt entering via the sole

Thrush

Horse’s feet are cleverly designed to remove debris through normal movement. As mud, small stones and other debris build up in the sole, particularly in the sulci of the frog, it is dispersed through the natural movement of the foot. If debris such as mud, or urinesoaked bedding, accumulates in the sulcus and isn’t removed, there is a risk of the development of thrush, which thrives in wet, dirty conditions. Thrush is characterised by a black oozing discharge with a foul-smelling odour. Through winter when horses tend to spend more time stabled and less time moving, it is vital to pick horse’s feet out twice a day. Ensure that the feet are being trimmed regularly to avoid the frog growing excessively and overlapping the clefts of the feet. For additional help, Nettex Frog Health can be sprayed to the frog and soles of the feet to support hoof hygiene.

Fever

Mud fever is a common term for a bacterial infection also known as pastern dermatitis. It is most commonly seen on the pasterns and is a condition that causes scabs, irritation, sores and in more severe cases heat, swelling and lameness. As the name suggests, mud fever is typically seen in winter, in wet and muddy conditions. The prolonged cold and wet can soften the skin on the lower legs, leaving it susceptible to abrasions from mud. Bacteria can enter the skin through these tiny rubs and infection can take hold. Mud fever can be difficult to get on top of, so try to limit it occurring by –avoiding horses standing in wet conditions for long amounts of time, avoid over-washing legs and use an effective barrier cream such as Nettex Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream.

*Pick feet out twice a day. This gives you the perfect opportunity to take a look at your horse’s feet, check for any bruising or nasty smells, and importantly to dislodge any stones or debris that may have become trapped.

*Clean mud off feet whenever possible. Prolonged exposure to wet and mud can result in the hooves softening, which in turn can lead to cracking and separating. Feet which are left coated in mud for long periods are also at risk of developing foot abscesses. For cleaning hooves, a stiff bristled brush is adequate to knock the mud off, and you shouldn’t need to use excessive amounts of water. If you are cleaning the lower legs too, ensure you use warm water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.