Laminitis and colic were the top two equine conditions in need of more research, according to nearly 600 members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) who recently responded to a survey conducted by the AAEP Foundation. The Foundation coordinates equine research and supports student scholarships. This is the second member survey conducted to aid the group in prioritizing areas of study in equine health.

The average AAEP-member veterinarian responding to the survey was a U.S. resident in general practice who has been in practice for more than 20 years.

Respondents were asked to rank the most pressing equine healthcare problem(s) they faced and wished they had answers for by body systems in the order of importance for research needs. They ranked the musculoskeletal system highest from the choices they received, with 85% of respondents ranking this system as being either extremely important or important.

The body systems that followed in order of importance under the same criteria were gastrointestinal (82%), respiratory (74%), endocrine (67%), and nervous (62%)