A DISORDER which causes colic in horses is more prevalent in Lancashire compared with other nearby counties, according to new research.

Academics at Lancaster and Liverpool universities found that lesions which obstruct a horse's small intestine - known as Idiopathic Focal Eosinophilic Enteritis (IFEE) - is also seasonal and occurs more often in younger horses.

Their report suggested future research should consider investigation of environmental factors such as soil types and pathogens associated with similar spatial patterns of disease in other species, including humans.

A seasonal pattern was evident with the greatest risk of IFEE being identified between July and November.

The risk of IFEE was found to decrease with increasing age, with younger horses, from birth to five-years-old, being at greatest risk.

The report's co-author Professor Debra Archer said: “Horse owners in the Lancashire area should be aware that the chances of their horse or pony developing this condition overall are still relatively low but we would appear to see more cases of IFEE here than anywhere else in the study region. It is important that we continue to try to find out what the underlying cause is to determine whether it can be prevented from occurring.”