One Big Thing: Equine Researchers Secure Over $1.8 Million in USDA Funding for Horse Health Studies
University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment researchers have received awards from the USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture totaling more than $1.8 million to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing horses and the equine industry. The projects will be led by Department of Veterinary Science faculty working across infectious disease, immunology, reproduction and musculoskeletal health, reflecting UK’s broad role in equine research and its connection to Kentucky’s signature industry.
“The number and variety of research topics funded within a single grant cycle is highly unusual and reflects the scope and expected world-wide impact of the research conducted in the Department of Veterinary Sciences,” said Associate Dean for Research James Matthews.
Awarded Studies:
Non-antibiotic treatments for Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals — led by Feng Li — $650,000 funded
Li’s project will develop genetic tools to isolate and study equine rotaviruses, examine how the viruses change over time and determine how those changes affect the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight infection. The work could help guide next-generation vaccine strategies for equine rotavirus and related diseases in other agricultural animals.
Genetic diversity of equine rotaviruses — Yosra Helmy — $300,000 funded
R. equi pneumonia can cause serious illness and losses on horse farms, and treatment has become more difficult as some strains respond poorly to current antibiotics. With few vaccines available, Helmy’s team will test small molecules that stopped R. equi growth in early laboratory work and study how well they prevent the bacteria from infecting equine lung immune cells. The goal is to identify safer, more effective treatment candidates while reducing reliance on traditional antibiotics.
Joint corticosteroid injections’ possible effect on vaccine protection — Allen Page — $300,000 funded
Corticosteroids are commonly used in joints to treat pain and inflammation, but these drugs can affect immune function. Page’s team will test whether administering a joint corticosteroid injection at the same time as a booster vaccine reduces vaccine protection and increases susceptibility to illness after influenza exposure. The findings could help veterinarians better time treatments and vaccines for horses that travel, compete or breed — situations where infectious disease outbreaks can be costly and disruptive.
Anti-inflammatory drug use and chronic musculoskeletal inflammation — Bruno Menarim — $300,000 funded
Musculoskeletal conditions are among the leading causes of loss in the horse industry and carry major welfare and financial costs. Menarim’s project will focus on phenylbutazone, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and whether it interferes with the inflammatory processes horses need for exercise adaptation and recovery. The study will use horses exposed to increasing exercise and experimental joint inflammation to measure how phenylbutazone affects the body’s ability to adapt to training and resolve inflammation.
A long-sought biological signal tied to early pregnancy maintenance in mares — Hossam Elsayed — $300,000 funded
Successful pregnancy depends on maternal recognition of pregnancy, a process in which the embryo sends a biochemical message that helps the mare maintain the corpus luteum, a temporary ovarian structure that produces progesterone. Elsayed’s project will test whether a hormone, known as CG-beta, may be that signal in horses. Since early pregnancy loss is a major concern in the horse breeding industry, identifying this signal could lead to better pregnancy tests and future treatments to reduce losses.
Major International Events This Weekend
Nations Cup at Bicton International CCIO4*-S (GBR): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Baborowko Equestrian Festival CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Royal Jump Chaumont-en-Vexin CCI4*-L (FRA): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
US Events This Weekend
Equestrians’ Institute HT (WA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
IEA HT (IN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
The Spring Event at Archer (WY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
GMHA June HT (VT): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
MCTA HT at Shawan Downs (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Ocala Summer I + Area III Championships (FL): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club Spring HT (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer]
Essex HT (NJ): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Carriage House Farm Combined Test (MN): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring]
Other Links and Reading
Sponsor Corner: Stable View
Camp Run-A-Muck is a 3-day immersive adult running and wellness camp hosted at Stable View in Aiken, SC — an expansive, trail-filled venue that captures the spirit of movement, community, and the great outdoors. This all-inclusive summer camp for adults brings together trail runs, coaching workshops, nutrition seminars, yoga, a self-defense session, and delicious chef-prepared meals, creating an experience that’s equal to education, adventure, and pure fun.
Camp Dates: Thursday, June 25 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
Accommodations and Meals: The Bistro at Stable View will provide freshly prepared meals, whole-food breakfast options, and refreshments from Thursday dinner time to Sunday breakfast time. There are professionally designed single and shared occupancy accommodations available. Shared occupancy would be a two bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom and a full kitchen with coffee making facilities. Single occupancy offers you your own bedroom and bathroom, with coffee making facilities and a microwave.
[Find more info and register here]
Training Tip of the Day
Working on improving hind leg impulsion is tricky, so let Louise Ann Bell break it down for you… and if you didn’t have enough imposter syndrome today, her rider is doing it with one less leg in the stirrups than you:
Go Eventing
Our One Big Thing from Wednesday’s News & Notes covered an update of the USEF rule change proposal regarding Concussions, Injuries, and Return to Sport. Watch the USEF’s Learning Center video below discussing concussions, traumatic brain injury, and helmet safety:
