Veterinarians and horse owners alike consider colic (gastrointestinal diseases) the most important equine health care problem in need of more answers, according to the results of research surveys conducted in partnership by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and the American Horse Council (AHC) Foundation.

In 2018, AAEP and AHC asked members to complete similar surveys to identify the most pressing disease problems they encounter and to prioritize the importance of specific diseases. Following colic, veterinarians listed lameness, laminitis, osteoarthritis, endometritis, dental issues, lacerations, metabolic conditions, infertility, and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) as the 10 most common equine medical problems treated in their practices. These results resembled those of the AAEP’s 2009 membership survey, which identified laminitis, colic, arthritis, tendon injuries, and navicular disease as the diseases in most need of research.

When asked to rank technical areas in need of research, veterinarians listed horse-side tests, regenerative medicine, podiatry, exercise physiology, vaccines, and imaging as the top six.

Among horse owners, infectious diseases and musculoskeletal diseases followed colic/gastrointestinal/liver issues as their most pressing equine health care issues. Owners also prioritized research on pain recognition; information on genetic diseases; and research on nonmedical problems, including horse abuse/neglect, wild horse and burro management, alternative therapies, and the benefits of riding