The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has announced the launch of an aggressive $1 million campaign for laminitis research and the start of the first of multiple studies that will occur to help unravel the mysteries of this disease.

Also announced at the AAEP’s 57th Annual Convention was the donation of $200,000 to the AAEP Foundation for support of the first study: "Case-Control Study of Pasture or Endocrinopathy Laminitis," supported by Prascend (pergolide mesylate), manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI).

"This project is in response to AAEP members prioritizing laminitis as the most important disease requiring research," said Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS. "We are fortunate and very grateful our long-time industry partner Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and their new exciting product Prascend is willing to support research to help us help horses with this devastating disease."

Laminitis remains one of the most frustrating and devastating diseases confronted by equine practitioners. The disease, which has the potential to cripple horses beyond repair, damages the critical laminae structures in the equine foot and has a variety of causes and symptoms