The heavy rain in April and May followed by the recent spell of warm weather could increase the risk of laminitis, a leading equine charity has warned.

Grass is greener

The wet and warmer weather has meant grass will grow more quickly. Grass can be surprisingly high in calories and can lead to obesity, which can cause long-term health problems.

“After an unusually dry winter we have seen a lot more rainfall recently and with the weather warming up, the combination of the two will certainly mean plenty of new grass appearing," said Sam Chubbock, Deputy Head of UK Support at World Horse Welfare. 

"This sudden growth can often take horse owners by surprise so it’s important to have a plan in place," she adds.

Main cause 

Rich grass can be a huge problem for horse owners, and it is one of the main triggers for laminitis. 

"Although the condition affects all types of horses and ponies throughout the year, our charity’s Field Officers certainly attend more calls regarding laminitis at this time of year," added Sam.

"It’s an incredibly painful condition and it’s notoriously difficult to manage, but if you monitor your horse regularly, you may be able to avoid weight-induced laminitis completely. Therefore it’s vital to ensure your horse is consuming the correct amount of calories for its breed, age, type and workload."

For more advice, watch the 'Right Weight' video (above).