Mud season is more than an inconvenience. Constant moisture, manure, and shifting footing can undermine hoof health, irritate skin, and turn grooming into a full time job.
This news brief breaks mud season into turnout choices, leg checks, and simple product based routines that help you protect hooves and hair without living in the wash rack.
Horse Health News
Mud Season Hoof, Skin, And Hair Care For Real Barn Life
Mud is more than a laundry problem. Constant wet and dry cycles stress hooves, soften skin, and hide small sores that can turn into bigger issues. This guide keeps your routine realistic without giving up on healthy legs and a clean coat.
Draw It Out® Horse Health Care News
Turnout Choices When The Ground Is Soup
Horses still need movement even when the paddock looks like a swamp. The goal is to balance turnout time with footing risk.
- Use sacrifice lots or high ground for the muddiest weeks of the year.
- Feed hay away from gates and waterers to reduce deep holes and churned mud.
- Pick manure often in high traffic areas so you are not mixing waste, water, and mud into one sticky layer.
Hoof Health In Mud Season
Mud packs into the sole and frog, holds bacteria against the hoof, and keeps the wall soft. Daily picking is non negotiable during this part of the year.
Daily Hoof Routine
- Pick feet completely, getting into the clefts of the frog and around the bars.
- Rinse if needed, then let hooves dry before applying any product.
- Check for a strong frog, clean central sulcus, and any smell that signals thrush brewing.
Support From SilverHoof EQ Therapy
Once hooves are clean and dry, many riders use SilverHoof EQ Therapy to support hoof and skin health. The cream is designed to cling to the hoof and coronet band and can fit easily into a daily mud season routine.
Skin And Leg Care When Mud Hangs On
Constant wet legs create a perfect place for skin irritation and crusty patches. Your best defense is clean skin, dry time, and regular checks.
Clean Without Over Washing
Rinse heavy mud off lower legs when temperatures allow, then blot dry with a clean towel. On very cold days, let mud dry and brush it out instead of soaking legs in icy water. The goal is to keep skin reasonably clean without stripping natural oils every single day.
Watch For Early Warning Signs
- Small scabs at the back of the pastern or on the heel bulbs.
- Warm, puffy skin that feels different from the other leg.
- Reluctance to let you touch certain spots on the fetlock or pastern.
Catching these early lets you loop in your veterinarian before mud season turns one sore patch into a bigger problem.
Mud will always be messy, but it does not have to be a health crisis. A few non negotiable habits, plus the right hoof and skin support, go a long way toward keeping horses comfortable until the ground firms up.
Keeping Manes And Tails Manageable
Manes and tails take a beating when horses use them as fly swatters in muddy pens. The trick is to protect hair without slathering on heavy products that attract more dirt.
- Detangle with a wide tooth comb or fingers, starting at the bottom and working up.
- Use light, conditioning products that add slip without leaving a sticky film.
- Consider a loose braid for turnout on very muddy days, checking often to be sure hair is not pulling.
ShowBarn Secret® For Mud Season Grooming
For manes and tails that still need to look good on show weekend, many barns reach for ShowBarn Secret® Detangler & Shine. Used after a good rinse and towel dry, it helps hair slide free of knots and repels some of the grime that mud season throws at it.
Mud Season Horse Care FAQ
How often should I pick my horse’s feet in muddy weather
During mud season, plan to pick hooves at least once daily and again after riding. Horses in deep mud or with a history of thrush may need checks more often.
Is it better to wash mud off legs or let it dry and brush out
In mild weather, rinsing heavy mud and drying legs carefully works well. In very cold temperatures, letting mud dry and brushing it off may be kinder than soaking legs in cold water. The goal is clean, dry skin as often as possible.
Where does SilverHoof EQ Therapy fit in my mud season routine
Apply SilverHoof EQ Therapy to clean, dry hooves and skin around the coronet band as part of your daily checks. Always follow label directions and consult your farrier or veterinarian for horses with existing hoof or skin issues.
