Grayson-Jockey Club Awards $850,000 for Research

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has awarded $850,888 in funding for 20 projects in 2004. The organization said the money would be distributed to scientists at 12 universities.

Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $11 million to underwrite 189 projects at 31 universities.

The 2004 research includes the launch of 11 new projects and the continuation of nine two-year projects approved last year. The foundation funds only research relative to the health and safety of the horse.

The foundation board, chaired by John Hettinger, met in Florida recently to act on the recommendations of a 33-person advisory committee chaired by Dr. Larry Bramlage. The committee evaluates all proposals sent to the foundation and ranks them for the board.

The new projects in 2004 include research on foal pneumonia, more effective relief of pain in sick and injured horses, and improved ways to prevent proximal sesamoid fractures.

"We are always proud to fund projects which combine excellent science and high relevance," said Edward Bowen, president of the foundation, which is funded by donations and investment management. "The many important areas of progress in the past in horse care have been created by the knowledge, innovation, and dedication by such professionals."

Here's a list of new projects and ongoing ones:

New Projects

-- Seeking a Breakthrough on Combating Foal Pneumonia, Dr. Mary Hondalus, Harvard School of Public Health ($55,205 in the first year)

-- Genetic Determinants of Equine Herpesvirus-I CNS Disease, Dr. George Allen, University of Kentucky ($30,000 in the first year)

-- Seeking More Effective and Humane Pain Management for Horses, Dr. Linda Christine Sanchez, University of Florida ($46,730 for one year)

-- Proximal Sesamoid Fractures, Dr. Sue Stover, University of California-Davis ($62,416 for one year)

-- Tetracyclines as Therapeutics for Equine Arthritis, Dr. Lisa Fortier, Cornell University ($64,728 for one year)

-- A New Method for Curing Recurrent Airway Obstruction (Heaves), Dr. Dorothee Bienzle, University of Guelph ($26,000 for the first year)

-- Are Mares a Source of Rhodococcus equi in Their Foals? Dr. Noah Cohen, Texas A & M University ($43,047 for the first year)

-- Production of Antibodies for Various Diseases, Dr. David Horohov, University of Kentucky ($36,800 for the first year)

-- Working Toward a Vaccine for Strangles, Dr. John Timoney, University of Kentucky ($42,450 for one year)

--Enhancing Fertility via Recombinant Equine Gonadotropins, Dr. Janet Roser, University of California-Davis, and Dr. Irving Boime, Washington University School of Medicine ($51,258 for one year)

--Combating Endotoxins, Dr. Thomas Murray, University of Georgia ($36,670 for the first year)

Continuing Projects

-- Specific Immune Functions Involved in Protecting Against Herpesvirus-1, Dr. Paul Lunn, Colorado State University ($50,450)

-- Vaccine Development for Rhodococcal Pneumonia, Dr. Diana Stone, Washington State University ($42,923)

-- Effects of Early Exercise on Bones and Joints, Dr. Chris Kawcak, Colorado State University ($33,791)

-- Variations in EPM, and How They Relate to the Causative Organism, Dr. Linda Mansfield, Michigan State University ($19,809)

-- Hoof Growth and Development: New Revelations, Dr. Robert Bowker, Michigan State University ($32,541)

-- Laminitis: Changes in the Small Arteries of the Foot, Dr. Stephen Lewis, University of Georgia ($27,000)

-- Managing Damage to Joint Cartilage Resulting from Exercise, Dr. Michael Orth, Michigan State University ($23,610)

-- Respiratory Immune Responses of Foals, Dr. David Horohov, University of Kentucky ($72,250)

-- The Role of Neurokinin-A in Equine Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Dr. Changararm Venugopal, Louisiana State University ($53,210)