Horses

Osteochondrosis – What Horse Owners Should Know

Foundation-funded researcher, Dr. Annette McCoy is studying a developmental orthopedic disease in young horses called osteochondrosis or OC. OC is caused by abnormal development of cartilage on the end of a bone in the joint.

Learn more about our large animal studies

Our health study database, searchable by species or area of study, houses our funded research that is making a difference in the lives of animals across the globe.

Search Now

Some of Our Studies

From Tip to Tail

Veterinary Advances for Horses

Since 1959, we have invested over $20 million in more than 510 equine health studies. We’ve contributed to the development of genetic screening tests for multiple equine diseases, including combined immunodeficiency disease, equine type I polysaccharide storage myopathy, and lavender foal syndrome. We also provided timely funding which led to the discovery of the cause, and subsequent vaccine development for Potomac horse fever.

Since 800 BCE, when humans first started riding horses, these magnificent animals have held a special place in our hearts. Though largely working animals through most of their years of domestication, the horse also fills history and families with stories of heroism, stoicism, determination and companionship – from Sea Biscuit to therapy horses, working ponies to steadfast partners in the Old West – our equine companions deserve the healthiest lives we can give them.

Learn More

590+

Equine/Llama/Alpaca Studies Funded

7.3 million

Horses and camelids helped in the United States alone

Looking for Genetic Risk Factors for Osteochondrosis

Researchers will identify genetic variants that are more common in OC-affected animals than unaffected animals. This new information will be used to help develop an assessment tool to predict an individual horse’s risk for developing OC – vital for monitoring and proactively intervening to help high-risk foals.

Learn More

Understanding How Diet Composition Influences Insulin Response in Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Researchers plan to analyze data on EMS horses fed five different forage diets to better understand insulin response. This new information will be used to help improve dietary management of EMS-ID horses.

Learn More