The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has reported an increase in the number of diagnosed atypical myopathy cases.

"There has been a recent surge in cases of atypical myopathy, even in areas where the disease has not previously been reported," the organization said in a statement on its website.

Atypical myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease in the United Kingdom and northern Europe. Researchers recently learned that horses develop the condition after ingesting hypoglycin A, a toxin found in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) seeds.

"Recent high winds and heavy rain have resulted in large numbers of seeds falling from trees in a very short period of time, posing a risk to horses grazing on surrounding fields," the BEVA statement said