Equestrians urged to take part in vital study

Debilitating equine disease laminitis can affect any horse regardless of age, size or breed.

As part of National CARE Day Fylde owners are being asked to report data from their horses to help a national study being funded by World Horse Welfare which runs Penny Farm at Peel Corner, Blackpool.

PhD student Dee Pollard said: “Equine laminitis is ranked as one of the top health concerns by both owners and vets.

“Most horse owners will have either had experience of laminitis themselves or will know of someone who has.

“Laminitis is a major welfare concern because affected horses are much more likely to have multiple recurrent episodes, which can be life-threatening.

“Despite this, a knowledge gap still exists regarding the true frequency of this condition in Britain, as well as how to best prevent it.

“We need a collaborative effort by all horse owners, professionals and researchers to both raise awareness about laminitis and, in time, to help make early recognition of laminitis less deceptive.

“On National CARE Day we are calling on everyone involved in the equine world in Lancashire to join us in sharing our images and video on their website and social media, encouraging all of their horse-owning friends and supporters to register for CARE.”

To get involved, Fylde horse owners are urged to log onto www.careaboutlaminitis.org.uk