The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation has announced the release of its new study assessing the opinions of AAEP members regarding priorities in equine health care research. The second study of its kind, the 2009 AAEP Membership Equine Research Study was conducted to assist the equine industry in directing its financial support of equine research projects.

Study results indicate that the equine body systems of highest research priority are musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine and nervous system, ranked respectively. Respondents also ranked laminitis, colic, arthritis, tendon injuries and navicular disease as the five priorities in the category of equine disease or condition. Regarding new technologies that require more funding, horse-side laboratory tests, regenerative medicine and imaging are considered the most important.

The study also polled members about their key sources of information for new research. Eighty-three percent of AAEP members indicate they learn new information from the annual AAEP Convention, followed by Compendium Equine magazine, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Equine Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education.

“The 2009 AAEP Membership Equine Research Study is a valuable tool in determining where the industry should direct support for equine research in the future,” said Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, chair of the AAEP Foundation. “With this updated study, the industry is able to identify the areas of equine research important to veterinarians, thus enhancing the industry’s ability to make important decisions as to where time and resources should be directed to help horses through research.”

The AAEP Foundation, 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. The AAEP Foundation supports equine research initiatives and works in collaboration on research efforts through alliances with the American Quarter Horse Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and many other equine organizations, universities and institutions worldwide through the Equine Research Coordination Group (ERCG).

To view the complete 2009 AAEP Membership Equine Research Study or learn more about the AAEP Foundation or ERCG, visit www.aaepfoundation.org.