ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] mud fever

Re: [endurance] mud fever

Sue Cunningham (SCUNNING@fs2.scg.man.ac.uk)
Tue, 3 Oct 1995 09:28:02 GMT+1

A couple of people have asked this, so I thought I'd post to the
group. Mud fever is what I think you know as scratches - skin, usually
on the back of the heels, cracks and (I think) a bacteria gets in.
In bad cases it may need an antibiotic to clear it up. In
the UK it is also known as greasy heel and cracked heel - though our
mare gets it along the front of her back cannons. So far the mares OK
this year, but Ari gets it on both front heels, and it is difficult
to control because the skin is prone to cracking as he moves around.
We seem to be getting somewhere now using zinc and castor oil cream.

Incidentally since he saw the vet on Friday the swelling in his leg
has completly gone, but he still appears off on that leg on a very
tight circle. Sees the vet again tomorrow, so we'll see.

Thanks for all the info on sports saddles by the way - everyone seems
to like them overall. It brings to mind a discussion we had about
endurance saddles. Most endurance saddles in the UK, based on English
saddles, are relatively big and heavy, with well padded deep seats.
In truth though, you (well I) spend very little time actually sat in
the saddle, most of the time I'm either posting or hovering about it.
Is this how most people ride, or do you sit a lot? Do you think one
style of riding benefits the horse more?

Sue
sue.cunningham@mcc.ac.uk

Sue Cunningham
Multimedia Support Officer
Computer Graphics Unit
University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester M13 9PL
UK

email Sue.Cunningham@mcc.ac.uk
'phone +44 61 275 6095
URL http://info.mcc.ac.uk/CGU/mmsup.html