Central Kentucky is finally getting a break after two months of heavy rain, according to University of Kentucky (UK) staff meteorologist Michael Mathews, and horse owners should now assess the lingering effects of all that wet weather.

April in the Commonwealth was the wettest ever, nearly doubling the previous record set in 1972. At 12.04 inches, rainfall totals were 7.7 inches above normal. The sustained heavy rains during the last three weeks of April flowed into May, which also had above-normal rainfall of 6.8 to 7 inches. Meteorologists predict June, July, and August rainfall to be normal, with temperatures below normal, except for predicted temperatures slightly above normal in June.

"The rain has been good for pastures and they are growing vigorously," said Ray Smith, PhD, professor and forage extension specialist at UK. "The downside is that it has been too wet to spray weeds. Pastures with a high-stocking density may be torn up and may have some decline. But moderately grazed, well-drained pastures have loved the rain and cooler weather