Areas of Research Interest

The American Quarter Horse Foundation is committed to supporting innovative research that benefits the public and advances the health, welfare, and utility of the American Quarter Horse. Guided by a mission to foster evidence-based practices, our Equine Research Committee evaluates all grant proposals aligned with these goals, with particular attention to the following areas of research interest:

1. Joint and Bone Health (soundness) – Advancing research in joint and bone health plays a critical role in enhancing the long-term soundness, comfort, and quality of life for performance, working, and aging horses.
   • Research Subtopics: early detection and prevention, nutrition and dietary ingredients, conditioning and training regimens, therapeutics and regenerative medicine, inflammation and immune response, developmental and growth disorders, aging and degeneration
2. Training and Performance – Safeguarding horse welfare in competition, while advancing training and performance practices, is vital to ensuring the ethical and sustainable future of competitive equestrian disciplines.
   • Research Subtopics: training and performance optimization, mental wellness and welfare of the horse, competition integrity, human-induced stress factors
3. Reproduction and Breeding – Improving reproductive health and responsible breeding practices is essential to supporting the longevity, well-being, and overall versatility of both performance and working horses.
   • Research Subtopics: fertility optimization, disease prevention, reproductive technologies, mare and foal health, reducing reproductive losses, behavioral aspects, sustainable breeding practices
4. Genetics and Genomics – Understanding the equine genome is foundational to improving horse health, performance, breeding, and disease prevention.
   • Research Subtopics: mapping the equine genome, inherited diseases and disorders, behavior and temperament, performance and athletic potential, precision medicine and individualized care, reproduction and breeding practices, epigenetics and gene expression, conservation and measures of genetic fitness
5. Colic Colic remains one of the most common and potentially life-threatening conditions in horses, and improving its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is a top priority in equine health.
   • Research Subtopics: early detection and diagnosis, understanding underlying causes, medical and surgical interventions, non-surgical treatment strategies, preventative care and management, gut health and nutrition, personalized medicine and risk assessment, epidemiological and field studies

Learn more about the AQHF Equine Research Survey and how it shapes future initiatives of AQHF's equine research grant program.

Through scientific discovery, AQHF-funded research aims to provide practical, impactful solutions that benefit the entire equine community - from veterinarians and breeders to trainers and owners.