Every year USA Equestrian Trust (USAET) provides grants to equine non-profit organizations. This year a total of $198,822 was awarded to 10 projects. More than 61% of 2011 grant funds went to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with the bulk of that going to its Equine Health Research Fund, which coordinates research to benefit all equine breeds and disciplines. Other monies went to programs of merit to help people with disabilities, create or expand educational opportunities for both people and horses, and preserve historical landmarks or the land used by our horses.

The health and industry related projects awarded grants are as follows:

EQUINE LAND CONSERVATION RESOURCE ($10,000) is an organization whose mission is "to advance the conservation of land for horse-related activity." Research by the USDA has shown that over 6,000 acres of farm and open lands are lost every day. The money will be used to help underwrite the cost of three regional forums (in Hartford, Los Angeles and Baltimore) designed to educate and unify the horse community to act regionally on the issue of equine land and trail conservation.

MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION ($10,000) requested a grant for researchers at the University of Massachusetts who are focusing on ways to treat equine laminitis. These researchers will then use this information to develop more targeted therapeutic drugs that could slow and/or prevent laminar tissue damage in horses