Equine Research Coordination Group Sets Goals for Progress
Equestrian News Release
The Equine Research Coordination Group (ERCG), a group comprised of
researchers and organizations that support equine research, has agreed upon
and announced objectives for the coming year.
"It's time to focus on the future of equine research," said Nathaniel White,
II, DVM, chairman of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
Foundation Advisory Committee. "Funding quality equine research and
promoting the need for more researchers must become a priority for the
industry if we are to stay on top of the growing health needs of horses
worldwide."
Comprised of various interested groups and researchers, the ERCG has been
meeting at least once annually to consider cooperative equine research
efforts. This group of individuals and organizations came together in April
2006 in Lexington, Ky., at the Equine Research Summit. Participants in the
research summit agreed that there is a lack of adequate funding for future
research, insufficient numbers of new researchers engaged in equine
research, and a need for increased horse owner and public education about
the cost of technology needed for research. To help educate the public and
collaborate to increase industry recognition of the problem, members of the
ERCG met during Summer 2006 to strategize about how to meet the needs for
future equine research.
Because ERCG members either fund or conduct research already, the ERCG will
not fund research but will facilitate the education of the equine industry,
general public and government agencies about the need to increase research
for the long-term benefit of horses and horse owners.
Participating in the ERCG are: Nat White, II, DVM (AAEP Foundation); Ed
Bowen (Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation); Patty Olson, DVM, Ph.D.
(Morris Animal Foundation); Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, Ph.D. (Colorado State
University); Rustin Moore, DVM (The Ohio State University); Dick Mansmann,
VMD, Ph.D. (North Carolina State University); Eleanor Green, DVM (University
of Florida); Ernie Bailey, Ph.D. (Maxwell H.Gluck Equine Research Center);
Catherine Kohn, VMD (US Equestrian Federation); Greg Ferraro, DVM
(University of California - Davis); Jim Moore, DVM (University of Georgia);
and staff members from the American Horse Council and the AAEP.
The ERCG adopted the following mission statement:
"To advance the health and welfare of horses by promoting the discovery and
sharing of new knowledge, enhancing awareness of the need for targeted
research, educating the public, expanding fundraising opportunities, and
facilitating cooperation among funding agencies."
In addition, the group identified and adopted the following five specific
objectives:
· Increase funding for equine research.
· Provide education about the importance and benefits of funding equine
research.
· Coordination of research information within the equine research community.
· Explore opportunities for joint funding of equine research projects.
· Identify the current needs of researchers and the research community.
In an effort to support the work of this group and to take a lead in the
coordination effort, the AAEP will hire a part-time staff person to work
specifically on ERCG projects. The ERCG plans to meet again in early
December, during the AAEP 52nd Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in
Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated
to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more
than 5 million horse owners through its 9,000 members worldwide and is
actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and
continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
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