Participate In Research

As part of FHANA’s Strategic Plan, one of the association’s goals is to become a leader in genetic research and equine wellness by working with research organizations and supporting their research.  To that end, the FHANA Health Committee has compiled a list of research studies across North America currently seeking candidate horses.

 

Interested FHANA members are encouraged to contact research organizations directly for more information and enrollment details.

Aortic Rupture in Friesian Horses
Aqueous shunts as a treatment for glaucoma in horses
Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Horses
Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Tendonitis and Desmitis in Horses
Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Intra-articular Lesions in Horses
Bilateral Corneal Stroma Loss in Friesian Horses
Correlations Between Connective Tissue Diseases in Friesian Horses
Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Disease (DSLD)
Distichiasis in Friesian Horses
Equine Sarcoid Tumor Clinical Treatment Trial
Equine Microbiome
Equine Muscle Disease Study
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) Susceptibility
Equine Microbiome Project
Evaluating a new immunotherapy for the treatment of melanoma in horses
Gastric Rupture, Gastroparesis & Delayed Gastric Emptying in Friesian Horses
Investigating How Stem Cell Therapy Could Help Treat Equine Synovitis
Megaesophagus in Friesian Horses
Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sarcoid Clinical Trial
Stem Cell Therapy Administration to Horses with Laminitis
Vincristine Chemotherapy Treatment for Equine Lymphomas

 

 

Aortic Rupture in Friesian Horses-ongoing

Organization:  Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses
Requested Subjects:  Friesian horses with confirmed diagnosis of aortic rupture or threatened aortic rupture.  Horses may also be diagnosed via necropsy
Study Type:  DNA blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  Contact Angie DePuydt – [email protected]

Aqueous shunts as a treatment for glaucoma in horses-ongoing

Organization:  Purdue University
Requested Subjects:  Horses must currently have glaucoma that has not been controlled with standard therapy or in which the eye is already blind because of glaucoma and removal of the eye is recommended (enucleation).
Study Type: To determine if equine eyes affected with glaucoma that have not responded to standard therapy (topical medications and/or laser therapy) or that have become blind because of glaucoma can be controlled by placing an aqueous shunt.
Remote Participation: No. Horses must be examined at agreed upon location.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established.
Enrollment Information: https://vet.purdue.edu/ctr/clinical-research/equine.php

Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Tendon and Ligament Injuries in Horses-ongoing

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses diagnosed with tendon/ligament injuries.
Study Type:  Stem cell injections (either a single dose or 1-2 doses every two weeks for up to 3 treatments) under sedation, rehabilitation and reevaluation every 60-90 days (there may be another injection during rehabilitation if there is increase in lameness and signs of worsening tendonitis or desmitis)
Remote Participation: Depending on the degree and stage of the injury, a UC Davis veterinarian will either request that you to bring your horse to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) or a UC Davis veterinarian from the research team will go to your location and administer the stem cells treatment.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/assessing-a-stem-cell-therapy-for-tendon-and-ligament-injuries-in-horses-368001/

Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Tendonitis and Desmitis in Horses-ongoing

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses diagnosed with tendonitis/desmitis.
Study Type: Ultrasound-guided injection of either autologous or allogenic stem cells.
Remote Participation: Depending on the degree and stage of the injury, a UC Davis veterinarian will either request that you to bring your horse to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) or a UC Davis veterinarian from the research team will go to your location and administer the stem cells treatment.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/assessing-a-stem-cell-therapy-for-tendonitis-and-desmitis-in-horses-908097/

Assessing a Stem Cell Therapy for Intra-articular Lesions in Horses-ongoing

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses with intra-articular disorders.
Study Type: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of the affected joint before first injection, immediately following the injections and then six months after completion of the injections.
Remote Participation: Depending on the degree and stage of the injury, a UC Davis veterinarian will either request that you to bring your horse to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) or a UC Davis veterinarian from the research team will go to your location and administer the stem cells treatment.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established.
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/assessing-a-stem-cell-therapy-for-intra-articular-lesions-in-horses-544914/

Bilateral Corneal Stroma Loss in Friesian Horses

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Friesian horses with and without BCSL
Study Type:  Ophthalmology examination, photography, and hair DNA sample
Remote Participation: No. Horses must be examined at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://studypages.com/s/understanding-the-genetics-causing-bilateral-corneal-stromal-loss-in-friesian-horses-148189/?ref=gallery

Correlations Between Connective Tissue Diseases in Friesian Horses- open, Dr. Halper encourages more participation with this.

Organization:  University of Georgia
Requested Subjects:

·      Friesians with a documented diagnosis of Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Disease (DSLD),

·      Friesians with documented diagnosis of Megaesophagus

·      Friesians with documented diagnosis of Chronic Proliferative Pastern Dermatitis (CPPD)

·      Friesians with a documented diagnosis of regular pastern dermatitis

·      Control subjects (Friesians unaffected by DSLD, megaesophagus, CPPD or pastern dermatitis)

Study Type:  Punch biopsy taken from under the mane (2-3 biopsies, approximately 7 millimeters in diameter). UGA has developed a diagnostic test for DSLD, a disease caused by inappropriate accumulation of proteoglycans in connective tissue and would like to determine if their test could also be used to identify other connective tissue related diseases in Friesian horses. A DNA profile will be extracted from the tissue samples and sequenced and the histology of the tissue will be examined.

Remote Participation: Yes.  Samples will be shipped to UGA.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: [email protected] or [email protected]

Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Disease (DSLD)-open

Organization:  University of Wisconsin-Madison
Requested Subjects:  Peruvian or other breeds affected with DSLD
Study Type:  DNA sample (blood or hair)
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/lab/corl/dlsd-study/

Distichiasis in Friesian Horses-ended but open to continued examination of affected/unaffected Friesians through Dr. Bellone at UC Davis or Dr. Knickelbein at Cornell

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Friesian horses affected with Distichiasis
Study Type:  DNA blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  Contact Dr. Rebecca Bellone – [email protected]

Equine Sarcoid Tumor Clinical Treatment Trial-ongoing

Organization:  University of Georgia
Requested Subjects:  Horses with suspected or confirmed, measurable, well-defined, nodular or fibroblastic sarcoid tumors
Study Type:  Up to 24 months treatment trial with a single injection of tigilanol tiglate
Remote Participation: No. Candidates must be examined at the University of Georgia
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://vet.uga.edu/clinical-trial/study-to-evaluate-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-tigilanol-tiglate-in-the-treatment-of-equine-sarcoid-tumors/

Equine Microbiome-open

Organization:  Purina Equine Research Team
Requested Subjects:  Horses of all ages and breeds
Study Type:  Fecal swab
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://www.purinamills.com/horse-feed/campaign/equine-microbiome-kits

Equine Muscle Disease Study-open

Organization:  University of Minnesota
Requested Subjects:  Horses of all ages and breeds with suspected or diagnosed muscle disease (PSSM2, RER, dystrophic and non-dystrophic myotonia and some forms of malignant hyperthermia)
Study Type:  Survey, photos, videos, medical records, DNA sample (hair or blood) and samples of hay, grain, and supplements.
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://www.equine.umn.edu/research/equine-genetics-and-genomics-laboratory/participation-muscle-disease-horses-study

Equine Metabolic Syndrome-open

Organization:  University of Minnesota
Requested Subjects:  Horses of all ages and breeds with EMS
Study Type:  Survey, DNA blood sample, optional Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://www.equine.umn.edu/research/equine-genetics-and-genomics-laboratory/current-projects/equine-metabolic-syndrome/get-involved-research

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) Susceptibility-open

Organization:  Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Requested Subjects:  Horses chronically affected with EPM
Study Type:  DNA sample (blood or hair)
Remote Participation: No
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://vetmed.vt.edu/content/dam/vetmed_vt_edu/research/clinical-research-office/documents/Client-consent-form-EPM-genetic-bias.pdf

Equine Microbiome Project-ending June 2024, publications available online

Organization:  University of Delaware
Requested Subjects:  Horses of any age, breed, or gender.
Study Type:  Fecal sample, survey, health & diet history.  Participation kit fee is $90.  Owners will receive a summary of their horse’s microbiome they can share with their veterinarian.
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://sites.udel.edu/equine-microbiome/equine-microbiome-project/

Evaluating a new immunotherapy for the treatment of melanoma in horses-ongoing

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses with melanoma
Study Type: Intra-tumoral administration of Interleukin-2 (IL-2 cytokine) to induce regression of treated lesions.
Remote Participation: No. Horses must be examined at agreed upon location.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established.
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/evaluating-a-new-immunotherapy-for-the-treatment-of-melanoma-in-horses-877733/

Gastric Rupture, Gastroparesis & Delayed Gastric Emptying in Friesian Horses-ongoing

Organization:  Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses
Requested Subjects:  Friesian horses with confirmed diagnosis of gastric rupture, gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying.  Horses may also be diagnosed via necropsy
Study Type:  DNA blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  Contact Angie DePuydt – [email protected]

Investigating How Stem Cell Therapy Could Help Treat Equine Synovitis-ongoing

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses diagnosed with synovitis.
Study Type:  Stem cell injections (single stem cell or saline injection in the joint depending on what group your horse is placed in, horses stay overnight and will be evaluated for lameness the following day and will return at 3 weeks and 6 weeks post-injection for additional follow ups.)
Remote Participation: Participant is responsible for bringing the horse to the clinic or agreed upon location for the injections.
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/investigating-how-stem-cell-therapy-could-help-treat-equine-synovitis-172734/

Megaesophagus in Friesian Horses-ongoing

Organization:  Fenway Foundation for Friesian Horses
Requested Subjects:  Friesian horses less than 5 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of megaesophagus via esophageal endoscopy or barium swallow test.  Horses may also be diagnosed via necropsy
Study Type:  DNA blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  Contact Angie DePuydt – [email protected]

Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma-open

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses with confirmed ocular SCC (confirmed by pathology), or horses that have not been diagnosed with ocular SCC that are at least 13 years old. Horses that are suspicious for ocular SCC are invited to participate, but confirmation would be required prior to inclusion in the study
Study Type:  DNA sample (blood or hair)
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Equine Genetic Projects of Dr. Rebecca Bellone (ucdavis.edu)

Sarcoid Clinical Trial-ongoing

Organization:  Oklahoma State
Requested Subjects:  Horses of any age, breed or gender that have a sarcoid. The sarcoid mass cannot be larger than three inches or within two inches of the eye
Study Type:  Clinical treatment.  Blood and Urine samples required
Remote Participation: No.  Horses must be examined at Oklahoma State
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://vetmed.okstate.edu/research/clinical-trials/large-animal/index.html?fbclid=IwAR3BZ39ZxP__CYtY2yjE3womAHgkVCmIyrYDXjvomco2YVfFoZY6dlqMbk8&fs=e&s=cl

Stem Cell Therapy Administration to Horses with Laminitis-open

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses diagnosed with laminitis
Study Type:  Stem cell injections (3 treatments 2-3 weeks apart)
Remote Participation: No.  Horses must be treated at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital or be within local distance
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/comparing-how-stem-cells-are-given-to-horses-with-laminitis-217702/?ref=gallery

Vincristine Chemotherapy Treatment for Equine Lymphomas-open

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses with a confirmed diagnosis of the type of lymphoma through biopsy and special stains, and clonality (additional special tests performed on the biopsy sample)
Study Type:  Vincristine administration at weekly intervals for a maximum of 6 treatments
Remote Participation: No.  Horses must be treated at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://studypages.com/s/evaluation-of-vincristine-chemotherapy-for-the-treatment-of-lymphomas-in-horses-560288/?ref=gallery

 

 

 

COMPLETED STUDIES

Colloid Transfusion in Horses with Gastrointestinal Disease-ended

Organization:  Oregon State University
Requested Subjects:  Horses with naturally occurring gastrointestinal disease that receive transfusions in the course of normal treatment
Study Type:  Clinical treatment with plasma and hetastarch transfusion
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  Contact Dr. Erica McKenzie at (541) 737-4809 or [email protected].

Equine Melanoma & Sarcoid Tumor Treatment Trial-finished

Organization:  Ohio State University
Requested Subjects:  Horses diagnosed with sarcoid or melanoma
Study Type:  4-week treatment trial with topical cream
Remote Participation: No. Candidates must be examined at the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center’s Galbreath Equine Center
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: Contact Dr. Margaret Mudge at [email protected] or Dr. Caitlin Moreno at [email protected]

Equine Asthma – Effect of Nebulized Lidocaine-ended

Organization:  Tufts University
Requested Subjects:  Horses with veterinarian-diagnosed equine asthma with no other signs of infectious or inflammatory disease
Study Type:  Hospital admittance, medication, and monitoring
Remote Participation: No.  Horses must be examined at Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Hospital
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://trials.vet.tufts.edu/clinical_trials/examining-the-effect-of-nebulized-lidocaine-on-equine-asthma/

Overweight Horses with Cresty Necks-finished

Organization:  Oklahoma State University
Requested Subjects: Overweight horses and ponies with cresty necks (body condition score at least 7.5/9), aka ‘easy-keeper’ types. A history of laminitis is acceptable; however, the enrolled horses need to be otherwise systemically healthy (no other co-morbidities, not actively laminitic, no medications)
Study Type:  Oral Sugar Test, blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Enrollment Information:  https://vetmed.okstate.edu/research/clinical-trials/large-animal/index.html

Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy-Completed

Organization:  University of California-Davis
Requested Subjects:  Horses of all breeds affected with Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy
Study Type:  DNA blood sample
Remote Participation: Yes
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information:  https://studypages.com/s/understanding-the-genes-behind-temporohyoid-osteoarthropathy-in-horses-535627/?ref=gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Molecular Diagnosis for Bacteria and Fungi of the Reproductive Tract-ended

Organization:  Cornell University
Requested Subjects:  Any mare that has a uterine sample collected prior to breeding.
Study Type:  Uterine sample
Remote Participation: Yes.  Samples can be shipped to Cornell University
Recruitment Period:  Open. No end date established
Enrollment Information: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/clinical-trials/molecular-diagnosis-bacteria-and-fungi-reproductive-tract

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The FHANA Resource Book

THE FHANA Resource Book is now available for order. This publication is good for all NEW and SEASONED members alike. Contact FHANA to obtain your copy today.