Morris Animal Foundation Announces Funding for Equine Behavior Studies

Home » Blog » Articles

The studies will help veterinary scientists improve the well-being of horses.

Morris Animal Foundation, a leader in advancing animal health, recently announced the selection of five new equine-behavior studies receiving funding in 2022.

Dr. Wendy Koch, a veterinarian who has supported the Foundation for 30 years, provided funding for awarded grants. She notes, “Unwanted behaviors are our horses’ only way of telling us that our actions may be negatively affecting their welfare—and we often miss the subtler signals our horses send us.”

Dr. Koch has closely followed equine behavior and welfare research and wanted to address an unmet need for funding in these areas. She worked with Morris Animal Foundation to create a special fund to support studies that will improve understanding of horses’ behavioral and psychological needs and challenges.

The Foundation’s Equine Behavior Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all submitted grant applications and selected the approved studies based on scientific merit and potential impact for improving equine welfare.

Specific Studies Funded

Studies funded are: 1. The effect of touch in human-horse interactions; 2. Stress in mares during weaning time; 3. Development of online educational tools for horse owners; 4. The effects of roughage availability on behavior; 5.The impact of light on stabled horses. 

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

Morris Animal Foundation’s Mission

Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. The Foundation has invested more than $142 million in nearly 3,000 studies to advance the health and well-being of animals around the world. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.

Select a list(s):

Leave a Comment