Mud Fever is one of the most common winter ailments. Vet Claire Williams talks to Fiona Price about the bacterial infection and how it becomes activated in the horse's skin. Using a racehorse as her model, she shows the indicative tufts of hair in the heels and profusion of scabs, then sets about treating them. Having cleaned any mud and dirt from the area, Claire uses a scrub to cleanse deeply and explains the importance of drying the heels before applying a barrier cream. She tells us when to call a vet and indicates what other conditions give rise to similar symptoms. Claire also offers some very useful tips on prevention!