Equine Innovators

Dr. Uneeda Bryant describes how veterinary pathologists safeguard horse populations, determine causes of death, and protect the human-animal bond.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis.About the Researcher: Uneeda Bryant, DVM, is a tenured associate professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, in Lexington. She earned her veterinary degree from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama. In addition to her responsibilities as a pathologist and teaching role as adjunct faculty for Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bryant works regularly to educate the public about this nontraditional veterinary medicine career path.Show Notes:Veterinary Pathologist Recognized on Kentucky Senate FloorEquine Tyzzer’s DiseaseAn Update on Rotavirus in FoalsUKVDL Goes Mobile to Educate KentuckiansThe University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic LabMare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

Equine herpesvirus-1 can infect horses and cause mild respiratory disease, abortion in mares, and severe neurologic deficits. Dr. Lutz Goehring, the World Organization of Animal Health’s Reference Laboratory expert on equine rhinopneumonitis, weighs in on what researchers have learned about EHV-1, how it spreads, and how to prevent infection.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. About the Researcher: Lutz Goehring, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, is the Warren Wright, Sr.-Lucille Wright Markey Endowed Chair in Equine Infectious Diseases at the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. He has an extensive background in research, scholarly journals, refereed book chapters, advising, mentoring, and service. Goehring is a specialist in equine internal medicine and a member of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine, and his research expertise has been equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1).

As horse owners, we might not think about how research in humans can help horses, and vice versa. Carrie Shaffer, PhD, of the University of Kentucky ’s (UK) Department of Veterinary Sciences and the Gluck Equine Research Center, is working at the interface of human and equine medicine, creating tiny models of horses’ body systems to better understand how we can prevent and fight equine disease, and help body processes such as wound repair and tissue healing.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. About the Expert: Carrie L. Shaffer, PhD, is an assistant professor in the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Veterinary Sciences and the Gluck Equine Research Center. She holds joint faculty appointments in the UK College of Medicine (Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics) and the UK College of Pharmacy (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Shaffer is a graduate of the UK College of Agriculture (BSc) and Vanderbilt University (PhD), and she completed National-Institutes-of-Health-funded postdoctoral fellowships at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the California Institute of Technology. An expert in host-pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis, her research interests include understanding mechanisms underlying equine infectious disease using novel in vitro biomimetic models. One major focus of the Shaffer Lab is developing an innovative “horse-on-a-chip” microfluidic platform and diverse equine organoid model systems to enable investigations that address fundamental questions in equine infectious disease, therapeutic and vaccine development, allergic and immune-modulated conditions, tissue remodeling in response to injury, developmental and reproductive biology, and the identification of genetic factors that determine disease outcome in the horse.

As horse owners, we have our rhythms and routines around the barn. But why do we do farm chores the way we do them, and could we—and our horses—benefit from changing our approaches? Steve Higgins, PhD, the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington, describes ways horse farm owners and managers can optimize daily horse farm tasks for efficiency, cost-savings, and environmental soundness.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. Show notes:Using Drylots to Conserve Pastures and Reduce Pollution PotentialUsing Soil-Cement on Horse and Livestock FarmsEconomics of Round Bale Feeders ExaminedHay Feeder Height Affects Neck, Back, and Jaw PosturesGroup or Individual Horse Housing: Which is Less Stressful?Does Your Horse Need Rest? Give Him More Bedded Space.Winter Can Mean Poor Footing for HorsesAbout the Expert: Steve Higgins, PhD, is the director of Animal and Environmental Compliance for the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Agricultural Experiment Station, in Lexington. During his time at UK, Higgins has helped establish the university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment as a leader in animal welfare and environmental stewardship and has cultivated a new way of thinking for managing UK’s Experiment Station farms. Through his extension publications, presentations, and demonstrations throughout the state, Higgins shares his unique perspective and working knowledge of water quality, farm efficiency, and resource management issues with Kentucky landowners and farm managers.

In this episode Dr. Amanda Adams and PhD student Erica Jacquay of the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center describe new research on how horses of all ages respond to transport—even just 1.5-hour trips across town. They also preview the results of a survey of U.S. horse owners and their trailering practices.This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. Show notes:Article: Immunosenescence: What Owners of Old Horses Need to KnowArticle: How Does Transport Impact Senior Horse Immune Function?Article: Equine Immunity: From Birth to Old AgeArticle: It’s All Connected: Bodywide Inflammation in HorsesPodcast: Equine Innovators: Dr. Amanda Adams Talks about Older HorsesAbout the Researchers: Amanda A. Adams, PhD, is an associate professor and a Mars Equestrian Fellow at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center. She’s authored 40+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and presented her research at more than 40 national and international scientific meetings. Her research interests include the geriatric horse’s immune system; adiposity’s effects on horses’ inflammatory responses, particularly in EMS horses; and the mechanisms responsible for and pathways involved in EMS to identify potential treatments that target both the inflammatory and metabolic component of the disease.Erica Jacquay, MSc, is a PhD student and the first Mars Equestrian Scholar in the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky working under Amanda Adams, PhD. Erica earned her BS in animal science from Virginia Tech and graduated from Kansas State with a MS with an emphasis on equine reproductive physiology. She’s worked in various facets of the equine industry, including training dressage horses, working on a large sport horse breeding farm, and working in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Her research program focuses on equine transportation, with specific aims to evaluate the impact of short-term transportation on stress and immune function in horses.

In this episode Dr. Barry Ball of the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center describes what he and his colleagues have learned about reproductive endocrinology, placental function, feeding broodmares, and equine contraception during his time as the Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction. Ball, who retires this month, also reflects on 35 years of equine reproduction research. This podcast series is brought to you by Zoetis. Show notes: Nocardioform Placentitis September 2020 Workshop (Lectures curated by Dr. Barry Ball) Identifying High-Risk Pregnancies Seminar Anti-Mullerian Hormone Helps Assess Aging Mares’ Fertility New IUD for Suppressing Estrus in Mares (June 2019) About the Researcher: Dr. Ball received his DVM degree from the University of Georgia in 1981. He completed a theriogenology residency at the University of Florida and his graduate training at Cornell University. He was a member of the faculty at Cornell University from 1987 to 1996. In 1996 he was appointed as the first Hughes Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the University of California, Davis. In 2010 he was appointed as the first Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Ball’s research has been directed toward reproductive endocrinology and pregnancy loss in mares.  His research is documented in more than 200 refereed research publications. He has served as primary mentor for ten PhD students, six MS candidates, and 17 postdoctoral or visiting scholars. He also mentored 16 clinical residents who are board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists. Of his trainees, ten serve as current or past faculty members in veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America.  Dr. Ball is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists (ACT). He has received numerous awards, including the SmithKlineBeecham Award for Research Excellence, the Excellence in Equine Research Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Schering-Plough Award for Outstanding Research from the World Equine Veterinary Association, the Norden–Pfizer Distinguished Teacher award from UC Davis, and the Theriogenologist of the Year award. Ball was a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar at the University of Cambridge 2004-2005. He is a past chair of the International Equine Reproduction Symposium Committee, and he is a past president of the ACT. 

In this episode Dr. Emma Adam of the University of Kentucky describes the research that identified a novel strain of rotavirus in foal diarrhea cases this year.This podcast is the twelfth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Show notes:An Update on Rotavirus in FoalsSessions from the 2021 Rotavirus Workshop, funded by the University of Kentucky’s CAFE Gluck Equine Research Center Koller Emergency Response Funds and gifts from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Coolmore America, and Grayson Jockey Club.The Gluck Equine Research CenterThe Gluck Center’s newsletters, Equine Science Review and Equine Disease QuarterlyPractical Biosecurity Tips to Protect Your HorseInfographic: Protecting Your Horse From DiseaseAbout the Researcher: Emma Adam, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVS, is an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center and the equine outreach veterinarian for UK’s Department of Veterinary Science. Her career focuses on the health and wellbeing of the equine athlete and she has worked in four countries on three continents. Adam received her veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College, in the U.K., after which she gained equine internal medicine specialty training at Texas A&M University and equine surgery specialty training at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. She completed her PhD research in regenerative medicine as it relates to articular cartilage using RNA sequencing at the Gluck Center. Her primary role now is to connect the university with equine industry stakeholders through outreach and the dissemination of information.

How many American horse owners are willing to adopt wild horses and what type would they select? Jill Stowe, PhD, of the University of Kentucky, recently found out.Show notes:Can Horse Owners Absorb the Surplus of Wild Horses?Contact Dr. Stowe if you’re interested in studies on incentive programs and wild horse training competitions.This podcast is the eleventh episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.About the Researcher: Jill Stowe, PhD, is a full professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Agricultural Economics (UK Ag). She previously served as director of the UK Ag Equine Programs. Her areas of specialization include economics of the equine industry, decision-making under risk and uncertainty, and neuroeconomics. 

Pathology has been defined as the science of the causes and effects of diseases. In this month's episode Dr. Jennifer Janes of the University of Kentucky describes her work as an equine pathologist—essentially a CSI for horse diseases, conditions, and poisonings. This podcast is the ninth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Additional Resources: Wobbler Syndrome: What’s Going on With the the Neck Vertebrae?Wobbler Syndrome: What We Know and Where We’re HeadedWhere are we Headed With Wobbler Syndrome?About the Researcher: Jennifer Janes, DVM, PhD, graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music degree focused on piano before heading to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, she completed a one-year rotating internship at Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital. Developing interests in equine musculoskeletal disease lead her to the University of Kentucky, where she completed a dual anatomic pathology residency and PhD program in the Department of Veterinary Science, finishing in 2014. Since 2015 Jennifer has been on faculty there at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) and is currently associate professor of veterinary anatomic pathology in the Department of Veterinary Science.

In this episode Drs. Ernie Bailey and Ted Kalbfleisch of the University of Kentucky and Dr. Jessica Petersen of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discuss genetic variation in horse breeds, why it is important, and what we will learn from the Thoroughbred Genetic Diversity project.This podcast is the ninth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.About the Researchers: Dr. Ernie Bailey is a professor at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington, where he trains graduate students, teaches, and conducts research into the genetics of horses.Dr. Ted Kalbfleisch has been working in the field of animal genetics for nearly 20 years. He is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky where his research focuses on the use of genetic sequence data to understand the genetic basis of health and disease susceptibility in horses. He led the work that culminated in the 2018 publication of an improved reference genome for the horse and has authored or co-authored more than 60 scientific publications.Dr. Jessica Petersen has led genetic studies to define the relationships among and within horse breeds and works to understand how genes of the horse are regulated. She is an associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has led or contributed to over 40 scientific publications and the textbook, The Horse (3rd edition).

Dr. Scott Stanley of the University of Kentucky describes the challenges conventional drug testing presents and a potential biomarker-based solution.This podcast is the eighth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis. Learn more about the equine biological passport in this video. Scott Stanley, PhD, is a research scientist with more than 30 years of regulatory drug testing experience. He currently runs a research lab at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington, and a service lab, The Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab, also located in Lexington. One of his research focuses is the Equine Biological Passport, which aims to identify specific biomarkers that will detect drug use by monitoring these biomarkers overtime.

Good barn and indoor arena ventilation are crucial for both horse and human health. Dr. Morgan Hayes of the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, describes what can go wrong with ventilation in each of those spaces, and how farm owners and managers can combat those issues. She also lets us in on results of her study on stall fans. Hint: They might not be accomplishing what you think.This podcast is the seventh episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Dr. Morgan Hayes joined the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky as an Extension Assistant Professor in July 2016. She is working in the area of animal facilities. Her interests are ventilation design, heat stress management and resource (energy, fuel, and water) use on farms. Her current work includes extension and research efforts on indoor air quality in equine barns and arenas, appropriate ventilation rates for modern swine, design considerations in beef cattle confinement and opportunities to reduce energy usage on farm.

In this episode, Dr. Laurie Lawrence of the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, describes recent equine nutrition research from her lab, covering everything from deciphering forage composition—and an easier-to-interpret hay analysis that’s coming—to accurately monitoring obesity in our horses. She also tells us about some common misconceptions about feeding horses.This podcast is the sixth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Laurie Lawrence, PhD, MS, is an equine programs professor in the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Her research interests include nutrient requirements of broodmares and foals, nutrient requirements of exercising horses, equine digestive physiology, pasture and forage utilization, and equine exercise physiology.​

University of Kentucky researcher Dr. Peter Timoney talks about the deadly African horse sickness and what it will take to prevent its arrival in unaffected countries. This podcast is the third episode in our new “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis. Peter J. Timoney, MVB, MS, PhD, FRCVS, is a professor and Frederick Van Lennep Chair in Equine Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. He received a MVB degree in veterinary medicine from National University of Ireland (UCD), MS in virology from the University of Illinois, PhD from the University of Dublin, and Fellowship from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London. He has worked at the Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dublin, Ireland; Cornell University; and the Irish Equine Centre, and has specialized in infectious diseases of the horse since 1972.

University of Kentucky researcher and equine industry economist Dr. Jill Stowe gives an glimpse of how COVID-19 is impacting the horse world and looks at the financial challenges that lie ahead. This podcast is the second episode in our new “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis. Jill Stowe, PhD, is an associate professor in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Agricultural Economics (UK Ag) and previously served as director of the UK Ag Equine Programs. Her areas of specialization include economics of the equine industry, decision making under risk and uncertainty, other-regarding preferences, incentives, and neuroeconomics. Her research has been published in the Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Economic Inquiry, Neuron, and Nature Neuroscience. Stowe received a PhD in economics from Texas A&M University (2002) and was previously on the faculty at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business (2002-2008).

University of Kentucky researcher and leading equine parasitologist, Dr. Martin Nielsen, talks about his research and the future of equine internal parasite control. This podcast is the premier episode in our new “Equine Innovators” podcast series.Martin Krarup Nielsen, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, is an associate professor of parasitology and the Schlaikjer professor in equine infectious disease at the University of Kentucky’s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, in Lexington. His research focus includes parasite diagnostic measures and drug resistance. Known as a foremost expert in the field of equine parasites, Dr. Nielsen chaired the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) parasite control task force, which produced the “AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines.”

Dr. Amanda Adams of the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, describes her senior horse research, which focuses on EMS, PPID, and immune system health.This podcast is the fifth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Amanda A. Adams, PhD, is an associate professor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center. She’s authored 25 peer reviewed scientific publications and presented her research at more than 40 national and international scientific meetings. Her research interests include the geriatric horse’s immune system; adiposity’s effects on horses’ inflammatory responses, particularly in EMS horses; and the mechanisms responsible for and pathways involved in EMS to identify potential treatments that target both the inflammatory and metabolic component of the disease.

Properly preparing racetrack surfaces is imperative for horse and jockey safety. It requires selecting the right materials, monitoring moisture content, watching the weather, and finely tuned maintenance from a highly trained crew. In this Equine Innovators podcast, we talk to Mick Peterson, PhD, director of the University of Kentucky’s Racetrack Safety Program. As a bioengineer, he and his team studies how horses interact with track surfaces to help improve safety and performance. They also monitor tracks throughout the United States.This podcast is the fourth episode in our “Equine Innovators” podcast series, brought to you by Zoetis.Michael “Mick” Peterson, PhD, is a professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering at the University of Kentucky, where he serves as directory of the Racetrack Safety Program. His research focuses on animal biomechanics engineering, specifically racehorses and racetrack surfaces.