|
|
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
During the 1960 American Quarter Horse Association Convention in Amarillo, Texas, a presentation was made to the members that described several diseases that were a serious threat to the horse industry. The tone of the message expressed a grave need to fund research - research that would benefit all horses. And so it began, AQHA's Research Committee was formed and a $20,000 budget was established. That first year, Texas A & M was given the lion's share of a $10,000 grant to study equine parasites, which ultimately lead to today's medications that control parasites in horses. However, since then, more than 200 projects have been funded allowing researchers to better understand ailments to treat and cure our horses. Additionally, AQHA was instrumental in helping establish Morris Animal Foundation's Equine Division. During the 1960s, MAF was involved only in small animal research but today funds some 15 projects each year and has awarded more than $3.2 million in equine research funds.
Since 1960, and thanks in large part to its generous members, AQHA has contributed more than $7.8 million in research grants to colleges and universities. Among the notable discoveries or advancements achieved through AQHA research funding are: •The role of progesterone in equine pregnancy Additionally, the American Quarter Horse Foundation currently is seeking funds to establish university studies that will make advances in equine trauma-related injuries, stallion reproduction issues and anhydrosis (inability to perspire). The American Quarter Horse Foundation, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Morris Animal Foundation and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation have provided a searchable database of currently funded equine research projects. All four organizations raise private funds to be directed toward the best and most relevant research projects aimed at enhancing the safety, health, and soundness of horses of various breeds. (Please note that this database includes only the recent and current research funded by the organizations shown, and does not constitute an attempt to list all current equine research from other sources.) Click here to download a list of the 2008-2009 approved projects. The distribution of approved funds will be determined based upon a successful research site visit by the Equine Research Committee. View past research projects by year or by school. For information on obtaining the results of any AQHA-funded research, please contact Gary Carpenter at (806) 378-5029 or gcarpenter@aqha.org
| |||||||||||||
"It's only research until it saves the life of one of your horses…"
"The research funds AQHA has provided to investigators over the past 20 years have been either partially or, in some cases, fully responsible for notable discoveries that have significantly improved the health and welfare of all horses," says Dr. Nat Messer, Associate Professor of Equine Medicine and Surgery with University of Missouri at Columbia.
 
|