Conquering the Mud & Flood: Protecting Your Horse's Legs in Wet Weather

For like two seconds I thought it would make sense to include a picture of a horse suffering from rain rot here (so it would be clear what we’re talking about) but then, OMG, I looked at pictures on Google Images and yikes. Not a good plan to hit you with that on a Monday, if you know what I mean. Maybe at the end so you’re ready for it.

Instead, here’s a Monday Meme for ya.

Muds & Floods: the bane of horses everywhere

As winter finally abates and spring rolls into town, what was frozen turns to mud and muck. It seems like we trade one set of challenges in caring for our horses, for another.

Keeping our horses healthy in the soggy conditions which frequently accompany spring and fall is definitely a challenge.

Let’s break it down

Without getting too academic about it, we’ll describe what it is, and why you care about it. Then we’ll talk about some treatment and prevention strategies.

Rain rot aka rain scald aka scratches aka mud fever aka dermatophilosis (say that ten times fast)

Rain rot is a stubborn and unsightly infection that can cause painful sores for our beloved horses. It's caused by bacteria that take advantage of compromised skin, which can happen when our horses are constantly exposed to wet and muddy environments.

Treating rain rot

Carefully remove any scabs, taking it slow to minimize discomfort and pain for your horse, and cleanse the skin using a gentle antibacterial soap. It can sometimes be a real task, especially when you're faced with the daunting combo of cold, wet, and muddy conditions that leave your horse damp and covered in a layer of thick, muddy fur. Just remember to stay patient with both yourself and your horse – it's a trying process for both of you, but with a little perseverance, you'll get through it together.

Once you have picked all the scabs off and cleaned the area with antibacterial soap, you’ll want to make sure to rinse thoroughly and pat the area dry. You can then apply a topical antiseptic or antibacterial ointment recommended by your vet.

Since horses love being as dirty as possible, you may need to occasionally repeat the process (wash with antibacterial soap, thoroughly dry, reapply antibacterial ointment) to ensure your horse recovers quickly and completely.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the healing process, and reach out to your vet if you have any concerns. With patience and care, your horse will be back to their healthy, happy self in no time!

Preventing rain rot

This one is tricky, because rain rot can be hard to see coming. Sure, you know it’s wet out there, but it can be hard to predict when it’s tolerably wet versus troublesome wet.

…Which is to say that it’s likely impossible to entirely prevent all cases of rain rot—even when you know what causes it, and even when you know how to prevent it. Don’t be too hard on yourself should your horse ever catch a case, is all we’re saying.

As far as strategies for prevention, they essentially boil down to:

1. making sure your horse’s legs are absolutely dry

2. applying (and reapplying) a moisture barrier

If you’re in a wet and muddy situation and fighting the good fight, what are your moisture barrier options?

Popular options include:

• Vaseline (get the name brand since some off-brands have been known to contain carcinogens)

• Olive oil

• Beeswax

• Lanolin

• Coconut oil

• Vegetable oil

• Mineral oil

Some folks even swear by sulfur, for it’s antibacterial properties, mixed with mineral oil. It might work, but be aware it stinks. Wear those disposable gloves because it does not wash off hands very easily (been there!).

Remember: The key to making effective use of a barrier is to ensure the legs are as close to “bone dry” as you can get them before applying the barrier.

Keep in mind that if you apply something like Vaseline on top of wet legs all you’ve succeeded in doing is locking in moisture.

In the end, it's all about finding what works best for your horse and specific situation. Good luck navigating the mud and keeping your horse's skin healthy!

What rain rot looks like on a horse’s legs

How have you handled treatment and prevention of rain rot with your horses? Let us know!

Until next time,

Happy trails!

Nicole