More horses dying from obesity

The number of obese horses in Britain has seen a major increase, an animal charity has said.

World Horse Welfare found that 81 per cent of the 230 horses it weighed across the UK were overweight.

The charity said that people fed their horses too much and exercised them too little, leading many animals to develop health problems which could lead to them being put down.

The charity, formerly the International League for the Protection of Horses, said many new owners lacked specific knowledge about animal nutrition and exercise.

It says obesity can strain a horse's heart and lungs or cause laminitis, a condition where foot bones rotate and push through the sole.

It follows similar concerns voiced by the RSPCA about obese pet dogs and cats.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.