Morris Animal Foundation accepting new proposals for equine behaviour studies

Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals for pilot studies focused on equine behavior, relating to health and welfare. Proposals should generate data to prove the viability of a novel approach or idea and may involve domesticated or wild horses.

Dr. Wendy Koch, a veterinarian who has supported the Foundation for 30 years, is providing funding for awarded grants. She began a career in animal welfare with the federal government in 1990 and became board-certified in that field in 2016. Dr. Koch has closely followed equine behavior and welfare research and wanted to address an unmet need for funding in these areas.

All investigators are eligible to apply, but studies must be limited to one year in duration and budgets cannot exceed $10,000. Competitive applicants will have a previous record of research and publication in equine behavioral science.

Applications will be reviewed and rated, based on impact and scientific rigor, by a scientific advisory board, made up of equine behavior and/or welfare experts. Interested researchers can learn more and apply for the award here. Grant applications are due by Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 4:59 p.m. ET.

This is the second time Koch has funded a study on equine behavior. The first study, led by Utrecht University’s Dr. Janny de Grauw, was awarded earlier this year. That study is testing a simple questionnaire to see if it can reliably help horse owners recognize and monitor signs of chronic osteoarthritis pain in their horses, leading to earlier intervention.

This request for proposals is part of the Foundation’s Donor-Inspired Study program, which allows individual donors to directly support a research topic they have a passion for, and for which there is a pressing need.

Morris Animal Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit organizations worldwide that funds health studies benefiting cats, dogs, horses, llamas, alpacas and wildlife. The Foundation currently is funding 165 studies encompassing a broad spectrum of species and diseases.

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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.