Fall Mud Season Playbook: Stop Scratches, Rain Rot & Thrush (Before They Start)
Mud season shows up every fall with surprise puddles, sugar swings in pasture, and a whole lot of wet legs. This field-ready guide gives you a simple routine to protect skin and hooves without turning your barn into a science lab. If you want our ingredients philosophy behind these routines, see Why Our Formula Is Purposefully Minimal.
1) Map Turnout Like a Pro
- Rotate access points. Drop temporary panels or step-in posts weekly to shift the gate “landing zone.”
- Feed smart. Move hay stations a few steps every day to avoid creating a mud bowl.
- Gravel pads. Even a few wheelbarrows of screenings at gates can cut hours of fetlock-deep standing water.
- Timing. Kick out after the morning slick has had wind/sun; bring in before evening chill sets with wet legs.
2) Your “Dry Fast” Protocol
Wet skin is vulnerable skin. Here’s the simple sequence you can do in five minutes per horse:
- Scrape quick: use a sweat scraper to shed standing water from knees/hocks down.
- Blot (don’t rub): towel press on pasterns and heel bulbs.
- Airflow: safe, indirect fan for 3–5 minutes while you fill waters or set grain.
- Barrier: light, breathable skin shield on clean, dry skin (see section 3). For a dead-simple, short trial that proves the routine to yourself, run the 3-Day Gel Challenge.
3) Skin Barrier: Build It, Don’t Chase It
Chasing active crud is a pain. Build a daily barrier on clean, dry legs—thin layer, not a grease slick. If you’re curious why we keep formulas focused and purposeful, read Why Our Formula Is Purposefully Minimal.
Daily Defense (clean skin)
- Keep hair manageable: cleanse as needed, condition lightly, and detangle for faster drying.
- Use a breathable dry barrier on pasterns/heels before turnout on wet days. Want a quick test plan? Try the 3-Day Gel Challenge.
When You See Red Flags
- Clip feathers if they harbor moisture.
- Spot-clean, dry fully, then apply a targeted restorative salve as a thin film.
4) Hoof Hygiene for Thrush Season
- Pick twice daily during wet spells; focus on sulci of the frog and collateral grooves.
- Dry contact before any treatment—paper towel the frog; avoid sealing in moisture.
- Stable footing in high-traffic lanes with mats or screenings to reduce muck packing.
- Spike your schedule after big rains: add a lunch-time pick and a quick fan pass in the aisle.
5) Barn Hacks: Bedding, Buckets & Tack
- Bedding depth: keep stalls dry enough that pasterns don’t sink to wet mats.
- Clean contact points: girths, boots, and wraps should be clean and fully dry before reuse.
- Disinfect high-touch plastic (brushes, scrapers, curry combs) to reduce biofilm transfer.
Printable: Mud-Season Checklist
- Gate/feeder position moved this week
- Gravel/screenings topped at high-traffic spots
- “Dry Fast” station set: scraper, towels, airflow
- Legs/heels dry before barrier applied
- Hooves picked a.m. / p.m. (add mid-day after rain)
- Boots/wraps fully dry before reuse
- Grooming tools disinfected weekly
Related Guides
FAQ — Mud Season, Scratches & Thrush
Do I wash daily in mud season?
Only when needed. Over-washing can strip the barrier. Focus on quick drying, light cleansing, and breathable protection.
Clip or don’t clip feathers?
Clip if hair traps moisture and slows drying. Keep it neat; you’re aiming for faster airflow, not a full shave unless advised by your vet.
How thin is “thin” for barrier products?
Enough to lightly coat the skin without shine or tack. If dirt sticks, it’s too much.
When do I call the vet?
If lesions spread, there’s heat or lameness, or you’re not improving in 3–5 days, get a professional diagnosis.
What about wraps?
Only on dry, clean skin and for short, supervised intervals. Never trap moisture under a wrap.
Helpful Tools Real Riders Use
ShowBarn Secret® Powder Coat — Routine Defense Powder
Light, breathable daily barrier for pasterns/heels on wet days.
Shop Powder CoatShowBarn Secret® Skin & Hair Enhancer
Supports skin look and feel; helps hair stay manageable for faster drying.
Shop Skin & Hair EnhancerRESTOREaHORSE® Liqui-Gel Salve
Targeted, stay-put support on clean, dry skin when trouble spots appear.
Shop RESTOREaHORSE®ShowBarn Secret® Lavender Shampoo (32oz)
Clean when needed—then dry fast. Keep it minimal and purposeful.
Shop Lavender ShampooSuperClean™ Stall & Trailer Cleaner
Cut grime and biofilm on tools and high-touch plastic surfaces.
Learn About SuperClean™Citraquin® Environmental Defense Spray
Support a cleaner environment around skin during wet-weather turnout.
Shop Citraquin®Information here is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for veterinary advice. Always follow label directions and your vet’s guidance. Show-safe = crafted with awareness of FEI/USEF rules—always verify for your specific discipline.
