Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation

01/21/2025

"A steward cares for something, you nurture something, but it really means you were given something and you give it back better than how you received". George Bowen on the legacy of his father.

During his 24 years with Grayson, Ed was an exceptional steward and tireless advocate for the health of all horses through equine research. The Foundation extends our deepest condolences to his wife and family.

Edward Bowen captured the color of Thoroughbred racing during a more than 60-year career as a journalist and author. He was editor-in-chief of The Blood-Horse from 1987-92 and president for 24 years of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

01/16/2025

Grayson is a proud sponsor of the 2025 The United States Pony Clubs Inc., (USPC) Official Page Research Fair. Supporting young scientist of the future, who some day become promising veterinarians, researchers and protect the health and welfare of our horses!

Are you considering participating in the 2025 USPC Research Project Fair? Not sure where to start? Research Project Fair pros from the Midwest Region share their secrets for a fun and successful experience here bit.ly/tips-for-the-uspc-research-project-fair
Applications for the 2025 USPC Research Project fair, presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation with support from Kentucky Equine Research,
Encore Lab, and The Equestrian College Advisor are open until January 2, 2025

01/15/2025

‼ Attention Mare Owners: EPL Early Pregnancy Loss Update➡ https://mailchi.mp/acc3df09f49b/mare-owners-epl-early-pregnancy-loss-update

01/14/2025

- Check out the American Association of Equine Practitioners graphic on how to recognize colic symptoms in your horse.

Grayson has funded multiple research projects making great strides in how we prevent colic, check it out here:https://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/resources/spotlightFall%202020.pdf

And our colic treatment update herehttps://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/resources/Colic%20Update.pdf

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is — the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:

• Alert your veterinarian immediately

• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings

• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs

• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself — but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe

• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of colic signs. Horses are individuals and may display signs of pain in a variety of ways. Always consult your horse doctor for more information.

01/13/2025

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Did you know? Horses are able to manage cold weather naturally! Their dense coat of hair acts like a blanket, trapping air and retaining body heat. This allows them to enjoy the cold & snow all winter long🥰

01/09/2025

Check out some cool facts from American Association of Equine Practitioners on how our horses are adapting to this cold snap! ❄️

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/07/2025

Reflecting on 2024 and ushering in a New Year - all for the health of the horse! Check out the many ways Grayson is supporting your horse here: https://mailchi.mp/c35eedaf6464/reflecting-on-2024-and-ushering-in-a-new-year-all-for-the-health-of-the-horse

12/25/2024

Wishing you a happy holiday season and into the New Year! https://mailchi.mp/5a1adf6df439/wishing-you-a-happy-holiday-season-and-into-the-new-year

12/23/2024

🏇 Still looking for that gift for the racing enthusiast in your life? Check out a BloodHorse subscription here: https://subscribe.bloodhorse.com/tbh_sub.aspx?productId=SUB-BH-S-MARCH23&promo=CH23B000BH

12/23/2024

Checked your holiday shopping list twice, wondering who has been naughty or nice? Give back to the horse this Christmas here. https://mailchi.mp/36f7cd41cf00/checked-your-holiday-shopping-list-twice-wondering-who-has-been-naughty-or-nice-give-back-to-the-horse-this-christmas-here

12/19/2024

Join the Gold Standard in Racing Partnerships as they support the Gold Standard in Funding Equine Research!! Donate here to join the challenge: https://mailchi.mp/1305b6c66053/join-the-gold-standard-in-racing-partnerships-as-they-support-the-gold-standard-in-funding-equine-research

12/17/2024

Still looking for that special something for your equine pal? Pay tribute to a special horse and receive a brass plated nameplate bracelet as a gift! 🎁

https://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=TRIBUTE&menu=1

12/16/2024

Looking for some last minute gift ideas for equestrians that also support healthy horses through equine research? Check them out here: https://mailchi.mp/17e8822e7640/looking-for-some-last-minute-holiday-gift-ideas-for-equestrians

12/13/2024

12/13/2024

- Looking for some holiday gifting ideas, grab a box of Old Kentucky Chocolates, LLC and give back to equine research with $1 of each purchase coming back to Grayson!

You can find these delectable boxes at any Old KY Chocolates store or as spotted here - The Keeneland Shop Gift Shop! 🍫🍬🎁

12/11/2024

- Did you know Grayson is currently funding two projects concerning Equine Herpesvirus? Check them out here: https://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=Research&menu=2

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease, and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

12/10/2024

12/09/2024

The Gold Standard In Racing Partnerships Supporting The Gold Standard In Funding Equine Research! Find out more here and join West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc. in supporting the health of all horses: https://mailchi.mp/bcad6e376035/the-gold-standard-in-racing-partnerships-supporting-the-gold-standard-in-funding-equine-research