If both, front or hind, feet are affected the condition may be hereditary or due to a nutritional deficiency. It can affect ponies that have access to too much grass and have insufficient exercise. The feet will feel hot to the touch and the animal will be in a lot of pain. If just the front feet are affected the animal will stand with its hind feet well under the body to take weight off the fore-feet. If all four feet are affected, the animal will spend long periods lying down.
Veterinary attention is essential because of the seriousness of side effects.
Check on diagram of Bones Below The Knee for position of Pedal Bone. Front and hind feet may be different sizes. Mud Fever can be recognised by matted hair, crusty exudate and scabs that form on the legs of horses and ponies. Like Cracked heels, it is more common on white legs. Is usually occurs around the coronet and heels but, in severe cases, it extends higher up the legs and even as far as the belly.