The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has released a report identifying future research priorities for the study of equine colic, including investigations to improve the veterinarian’s ability to diagnosis, treat and prevent the disease. The report was created by the Research Priorities Panel, a group of leading researchers that met during the 10th International Equine Colic Research Symposium, July 26-28, 2011, in Indianapolis, Ind.
The report is now available here: http://www.aaep.org/foundation_research.htm. Each section of the report includes a list of diseases or fundamental problems requiring research. The sections are prioritized with an outline of the needed research and funding priorities.
The Symposium, alternating every three years between Europe and North America, is designed to bring together leading researchers, practitioners, residents and graduate students to share knowledge about equine colic, the leading cause of premature death in horses. As with previous symposiums, this meeting facilitated the exchange of new information about colic among investigators while stimulating new collaborations and ideas for research projects.
Held in conjunction with the AAEP’s 2011 educational meeting “Focus on Colic,” the Symposium featured 45 oral presentations and 72 poster presentations. After the Symposium, a panel of researchers met to answer specific questions about the direction and cost of future colic research.
“I want to thank all the researchers who volunteered their time to help develop this important document,” said Nathaniel White, II, DVM, symposium co-chair. “I look forward to the equine and veterinary communities embracing and using this information to help horses through much needed equine colic research.”
Similar to other research panels organized by the AAEP Foundation, the meeting allowed equine colic researchers from many disciplines to prioritize the most important aspects of this deadly disease. The panel was also challenged to develop a plan for investigator collaborations on colic research for the next five to 10 years.
The Symposium was presented by AAEP Educational Partner Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Additional sponsors for this meeting included the American Quarter Horse Foundation, British Equine Veterinary Association, Bioniche Animal Health, USA, Inc., Equine Feed Oat Project, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, The Horse Trust, Merck Animal Health, Morris Animal Foundation, North American Equine Ranching Information Council, Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Nutrena and Platinum Performance. This cooperative effort is helping to identify priorities for equine colic research and will benefit the owner, veterinarian, supporting industries and, most importantly, the horse.
If you wish to support this or other similar workshops that support equine research, please visit www.aaepfoundation.org or call toll free in the United States or Canada at (800) 443-0177 or direct at (859) 233-0147.
For the past 17 years the AAEP Foundation has allocated more than $2.2 million in grants to programs that promote the health of horses. Grant applications for 2012 are due on May 1 and are available at www.aaepfoundation.org.
The AAEP Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, was created in 1994 as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The AAEP Foundation’s mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse through support of research, education, benevolence and the equine community.
