Research

A Research Advisory Sub Committee advises the AAEP Foundation. Comprised of veterinarians and practitioners with extensive knowledge of equine research, the Research Advisory Committee is responsible for updating, monitoring, and managing research protocols for the AAEP Foundation.

Unsolicited Grants: (Investigator Driven)

The AAEP Foundation currently does not accept or fund unsolicited grants for equine research projects directly. We do, however, recommend that you contact one of the below Equine Foundations as they all fund research directly.

AQHA Foundation

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation

Equineresearch.net is a cooperative effort of the AAEP Foundation, American Quarter Horse Foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, and Morris Animal Foundation.

A database of currently ongoing or recently completed studies is available and described in layman's language at the web site. Each organization involved in submitting studies will update its section from time to time.

The projects on EquineResearch.net include dates, which are provided to alert horse owners as to anticipated completion. The current and recent research runs the gamut of important problems affecting the horse, such as laminitis, colic infectious diseases, athletic soundness, and reproductive issues, and illustrates the cutting edge technology equine specialists are applying to their research.

Web users can easily access projects via searches utilizing key words, specific universities, specific funding organizations, or individuals heading research teams.

Research Panel Conclusions

The Foundation regularly convenes panels of equine researchers to determine the future needs and directions of pressing health issues. White papers of the following panel conclusions are now available below.

Immediately following the Eighth International Equine Colic Research Symposium, held in August 2005 in Quebec City, Canada, the Colic Research Panel met to discuss the future direction of research on equine colic. That meeting produced the Colic Research Panel Report. The AAEP Foundation, with the support of AAEP Educational Partner Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, put the Symposium together as a way to exchange information about colic among researchers, help increase collaboration and stimulate new research. Topics ranged from the latest information on colic, to shock, gastric ulcers, intestinal motility and diagnosis of the acute abdomen. Many of the advances that will affect the way veterinarians treat colic and related problems in the next few years were presented at this series of lectures and poster sessions. Click here to view a PDF of this report. 

A report of a panel held in conjunction with the World Equine Airway Symposium at Cornell University on July 19-22, 2005 is now available below. The group addressed the questions provided by Nathaniel White, II, DVM, on behalf of the AAEP Foundation. Infectious and non-infectious diseases were considered separately. In each section of the report, there is a statement of issues followed by a list of research priorities. Click here to view a pdf of this report.

The AAEP Foundation convened a summit of representatives from the research community, research funders, government and other stakeholders in equine research on April 19-20, 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Agenda topics included attracting more researchers to the profession, procuring more funding and promoting more collaboration among researchers and institutions.

Click here to download the Executive Summary of the recommendations advanced by the participants in the summit, and the preliminary steps proposed to initiate action on them.

Other Research Programs

In 2005 the AAEP Foundation made a founding contribution to and was instrumental in launching the Horse Facts Campaign. Managed by the Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) and launched with a December 2005 media briefing at the AAEP’s Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash., this educational program’s goal is to promote public understanding, respect and support for the vital role that humane and responsible animal research plays in advancing equine health and medicine. To learn more about the amazing story about how advances in equine research helped the undefeated filly, Personal Ensign, or to hear from the famous cowboy poet Baxter Black, click on this link www.horsefacts.org.

To take the AAEP member-based survey on recurrent colic in horses, click here.

The AAEP Foundation offers endorsements of member-based observational research studies, which will be awarded in addition to the Research Scholarships currently awarded by AAEP Foundation each year. These sanctioned studies allow investigators to “tap in” to the AAEP practicing member’s wealth of knowledge and to share their findings with the equine industry. The AAEP Foundation will approve two proposals per year.

An “approved study” is one that has been recommended by the AAEP Research Committee and approved by the AAEP Foundation Board of Directors. It will allow investigators to contact AAEP members through the AAEP to solicit participation in a given study.

The AAEP is willing to offer its support in the form of written endorsement, use of the AAEP logo, and/or letterhead in study communications. The AAEP will also provide a mailing list for initial contact with prospective participants. The AAEP will not provide funding for cost of mailing or any other aspects of these approved studies. Investigators must also provide evidence that funding to conduct and complete the study is available.