Horses at threat from seasonal illness

Horse owners have been warned to keep their animals stabled after an outbreak of a fatal disease caused by the mild weather.

Reported cases of Atypical Myopathy, a little-known condition spread through bacteria in soil and pastures, have more than doubled in the past month.

The illness, which is fatal in more than 85 per cent of cases, is rarely a threat outside the "risk" seasons of spring and autumn when the ground is wet and cold, but not frozen.

Vets warned of a spate of recent cases in the Thames Valley and Hampshire, where the warm winter has enabled bacteria in the soil to reach unusually high levels.

A number of ponies have already been put down and West Berkshire has been particularly badly affected, causing concerns for racehorse trainers with yards in Lambourn, near Newbury.

Two died after catching the disease at Hall Place Equestrian Centre in Sulham Hill, near Pangbourne, and a number of other cases have been reported by owners using internet chat rooms.

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