March 29, 2010
Goal set to Conquer Laminitis by 2020
On Nov. 8-10, 2009, the AAEP Foundation hosted the 2nd AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop in West Palm Beach, Fla. Nearly 50 researchers and laminitis experts from around the world met to prioritize future laminitis research needs. The group also explored specific questions about the direction and cost of future laminitis projects.
In the two-day workshop, presentations and discussions of varied topics ranged from inflammation, vascular, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance to biomechanics and chronic pain management. The group learned there is much information being generated on the topic of laminitis and they will seek answers to the many questions that loom surrounding this disease. A "World Cafe" session posed a special opportunity for attendees to delve into 10 important questions that will guide a plan for future research efforts and the corresponding funding needs and establish timetable to accomplish the industry’s vision "to conquer laminitis by 2020."
"During the 2nd Equine Laminitis Research Workshop we learned that we must continually develop and refine our vision for the future," said Dr. Rustin Moore, chair of the 2009 workshop. "By continually engaging veterinarians, researchers, farriers, caretakers and the greater equine community in a collaborative effort to advance, expand and disseminate knowledge through research and collective experiences to effectively prevent and treat equine laminitis, it is hopeful that together we will move closer to our 20/20 vision of conquering this devastating disease by 2020."
The 2nd AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop was designed to build upon the foundation established by the 2004 AAEP Foundation Laminitis Research Meeting, as well as other meetings that have been hosted by the Havemeyer Foundation and the International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot, over the past decade. The purpose of these meetings is to move the industry closer to unraveling the elusive mysteries of laminitis and help to develop effective strategies that will eventually lead to eradicating the disease.
Participants of the November meeting were challenged to develop plans for collaboration between investigators and to identify specific priorities in laminitis research for the next 10 years.
Please visit the AAEP Foundation Web site at www.aaepfoundation.org to see the complete 2009 AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop report, summaries and related articles.
This research workshop would not have been possible without the support of the following agency and corporate sponsors: AAEP Foundation, American Quarter Horse Foundation, Barbaro Memorial Fund (NTRA Charities), Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Morris Animal Foundation. The AAEP also recognizes supporters of this meeting including Marianne and John K. Castle, Margaret Hamilton Duprey, Gretchen and Roy Jackson, Elizabeth Moran, Denise and Michael Rotko and Carol and Mark Zebrowski. This cooperative effort aims to identify priorities for the equine industry and benefit the owner, veterinarian, supporting industries and, most importantly, the horse.
The AAEP Foundation, Inc., 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. Since its inception, the AAEP Foundation has allocated more than $1.5 million to support its mission and help horses.
Contact: Keith Kleine
kkleine@aaep.org
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