The research funded in 2003 will take place at 11 universities in the United States and Canada. Included are the launch of 10 new projects and the conclusion of nine two-year projects begun last year.

The foundation board, chaired by John Hettinger, met in Florida recently to act on the recommendations of a 33-person Research Advisory Committee. The committee, chaired by Dr. Larry Bramlage, involves private veterinary practitioners and university research veterinarians from across North America.

The new slate of projects addresses key issues of health and soundness--cartilage repair, laminitis, pneumonia, and West Nile virus--that affect many horses of various uses and breeds.

Projects for 2003 are titled:

Key factors in the cause of laminitis

Specific immune functions involved in protecting against herpesvirus-1

Vaccine development for Rhodococcal pneumonia

Toward a better strangles vaccine

Effects of early exercise on bones and joints

Variations in EPM, and how they relate to the causative organism

Hoof growth and development: New revelations

Laminitis: Changes in the small arteries of the foot

Managing damage to joint cartilage resulting from exercise

Immunity in foals vaccinated for West Nile Virus

Two-year projects funded for a second year are titled:

Accelerated regression of endometrial cups

Effect of airway inflammation and mucus on racehorse performance

Respiratory immune responses of foals

Role of Streptococcus bovis exotoxins in equine laminitis

Colonic pathophysology in horses administered phenylbutazone

Growth factor gene transduced stem cells for cartilage repair

Functional analysis of equine laminar artery

Electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in the horse