New partnership launched to aid research into equine disease

An initiative has been launched to find a solution to the scourge of equine grass sickness – and horse owners are being encouraged to take part in the research.

The Moredun Foundation (TMF) and The Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF) have joined forces to breathe fresh thinking and multi-disciplinary approaches into the disease which has no treatments or vaccines, and which kills 80% of the horses which contract it.

Recruitment for a three-year research fellowship which will be based at the Moredun’s institute near Edinburgh will begin shortly.

One of the main objectives will be to set up a national database and sample biobank with the assistance of a Uk-wide network of vet ambassadors and horse owners.

Kate Thomson, of the EGSF, said the fellowship marked a step change in the approach to the disease.

“We plan to engage the considerable expertise amongst horse owners and other equine charities as EGS detectives in submitting case reports and samples to the biobank,” she said.

Professor Elisabeth Innes of the Moredun Research Institute added: “This new fellowship position is part of an exciting programme that Moredun is pioneering to help support excellent early career researchers who wish to develop their careers in furthering the understanding, prevention and control of infectious diseases of animals and we are very excited to be teaming up with EGSF to help shed light on this complex disease.”.

To get involved in the project contact beth.wells@moredun.ac.uk

Grass sickness kills 80% of the horses which contract it.