The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has announced that it has authorized expenditure of $1,661,180 to fund 15 new projects and 10 continuing projects at 16 universities as well as three career development awards. The 2022 slate of research brings Grayson’s totals since 1983 to more than $32.1 million to underwrite 412 projects at 45 universities.

“Grayson aims to support projects that address a wide range of equine health issues, and this diversity can be seen in our approved projects this year,” said Jamie Haydon, president of the foundation. “We are not able to fund these research projects and career development awards without the generosity of our donors, and we are grateful to them for recognizing the importance of equine veterinary research.”

Below is an alphabetical list by school of the new projects:

Persistence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Horse Farms
Laura Huber, Auburn University

This project will determine the effect of antimicrobial pressure on multidrug resistant Rhodococcus equi. persistence in the soil of horse breeding farms in a 5-year period.

Evaluating extracellular vesicles from equine fetally-derived mesenchymal stem cells as an endometritis therapeutic
Fiona Hollinshead, Colorado State University

This project will be evaluating extracellular vesicles from equine fetally-derived mesenchymal stem cells as an endometritis therapeutic.

Development of a Palmar Osteochondral Disease Model
Chris Kawcak, Colorado State University

The goal of this proposal is to develop an experimental model of palmar osteochondral disease in horses to better study disease progression and facilitate development of improved treatment strategies.

Development of a Vectored Vaccine to Equine Rotavirus A
Mariano Carossino, Louisiana State University

A novel viral vectored vaccine against equine rotavirus A (G3 and G14), the leading cause of foal diarrhea, will be designed and evaluated in mares and a neonatal mouse model as proof-of-concept. 

Novel Strangles Vaccine Using CD40-Targeted Delivery
Luc Berghman, Texas A&M University

This project will be targeting bacterial components of Streptococcus equi spp. equi to the horse’s immune surveillance cells (the APCs) that will result in a fast and strong immune response that will protect against strangles.

Trained Immunity in Foals
Angela Bordin, Texas A&M University

This project will study how giving oral live bacteria protects foals against infection by Rhodococcus equi, the cause of severe and debilitating pneumonia in foals, for future development of a vaccine.

Immunogenicity in Foals of an mRNA Vaccine for R. Equi
Noah Cohen, Texas A&M University

This study proposes to develop an mRNA vaccine delivered by inhalation to protect foals against pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi.

Does Antibiotic Treatment Change the Microbial Resistome
Paul Morley, Texas A&M University

This research will compare four antibiotic treatments to these protocols that can be selected to treat bacterial infections while also lessening the risks for promoting antibiotic resistance.

Immunomodulation and Exosomes to Enhance Tendon Healing
Sushmitha Durgam, The Ohio State University

This study aims to characterize M1 and M2 macrophage-derived inflammatory factors and assess their impact on superficial digital flexor tendon tenocyte activities while examining the potential of extracellular vesicles/exosomes to enhance tendon healing.

Pharmacokinetics of Oral Mycophenolate Mofetil in Horses
Gwendolen Lorch, The Ohio State University

This proposal will evaluate the pharmacokinetics of orally administered mycophenolate mofetil as a safe, effective, and inexpensive immunosuppressant drug for management of equine immune-mediated disease.

Equine Placentitis: New Approaches to an Old Problem
Pouya Dini, University of California, Davis  

The goal of this study is to identify pathogens involved in placentitis and investigate their interaction with the placenta using bioinformatics and in vitro studies to develop better diagnostic and treatment methods.

Motion of the Proximal Sesamoid Bones on Uneven Footing
Susan Stover, University of California, Davis

This study proposes to determine how hoof conformation, shoeing, and uneven racetrack surfaces could contribute to fetlock breakdowns.

Influence of Vitamin D and Cortisol in R. Equi Infection
Kelsey Hart, University of Georgia

This study will investigate how blood levels of cortisol and vitamin D are related to the development and progression of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals after natural exposure.

Fentanyl Matrix Patches in Horses
Rachel Reed, University of Georgia

This study aims to show that fentanyl administered via patches placed on the skin is well-absorbed and represents a promising means of providing clinically relevant continuous pain relief to horses.

Sirolimus for the Control of Insulin Dysregulation
Andrew Van Eps, University of Pennsylvania  

This study will evaluate the drug sirolimus (a potent suppressor of insulin production) for the treatment of insulin dysregulation (the most important cause of laminitis) in horses.