Nurturing horse health

Of those funds, more than $106,540 supports five equine health research projects led by WCVM faculty members. The remaining funds — nearly $71,000 —are allocated to a summer research student position as well as tuition awards for seven graduate students who are conducting equine health investigations at the veterinary college.

Most of the funding comes from the WCVM’s longtime Townsend Equine Health Research Fund (TEHRF), which receives donations from a wide range of people and organizations across Western Canada. An additional funding source is the estate of Kathleen Stinson, which supports an annual $20,000 award for the college’s top equine-focused graduate student.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

How does endurance racing affect the release of cardiac troponin I in horses from Saskatchewan?
Dr. Vanessa Cowan and Jon Morton, WCVM
WCVM researchers aim to implement a stall-side analyzer that rapidly detects elevated levels of a protein called cardiac troponin I, a sensitive indicator of heart disease.

How does iodine affect the skeletal development of foals?
Dr. Sally Sukut, WCVM
This study will help veterinarians develop a better understanding of how the presence and levels of iodine affect the development of foals’ skeletal systems so they can recognize disorders more quickly.

How can a new in vitro model help veterinarians better understand equine pregnancy?
Dr. Claire Card, WCVM
WCVM scientists are working to develop a cost-effective in vitro model for studying the earliest stages of equine pregnancy that will help identify the factors contributing to increased reproductive success.

Can a new AI tool keep veterinarians safe from ergonomic strain and injury?
Drs. James Carmalt and Monique Mayer, WCVM
WCVM researchers plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify the ergonomic risks associated with lameness examinations — information that will help to improve veterinarians’ safety. Read more on page 4.

Is there a better way to diagnose tapeworm infection in horses?
Drs. Emily Jenkins, Michelle Husulak, Muhammad Asjad and Tasha Epp, WCVM
WCVM scientists will use molecular diagnostic techniques to develop a more accurate fecal test for detecting tapeworms, which cause poor health and potential colic in affected horses.

STUDENT AWARDS

Undergraduate summer research award (summer 2026)
Johanna Brochhagen of Nelson, B.C. (WCVM Class of 2029). Research mentor: Dr. Claire Card. Brochhagen helped to investigate the equine placenta’s role in iodine storage and regulation during a mare’s pregnancy. The study is part of an overall research initiative targeting congenital hypothyroidism in foals.

Kathleen Stinson Research Fellowship
Dr. Alannah Friedlund of Fiske, Sask., has received the $20,000 scholarship in support of her research focusing on the efficacy of fish skin grafts for treating lower-limb wounds in horses. Friedlund is a Master of Science (MSc) student and large animal surgical resident supervised by Dr. Keri Thomas in the WCVM Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.

Graduate tuition awards

Dr. Josefina Ghersa of Argentina is completing a combined MSc-equine theriogenology residency program under the supervision of Dr. Claire Card. Research focus: maternal recognition of pregnancy.

Dr. Carolina Emparanza of Chile is enrolled in a combined MSc-equine theriogenology residency program, supervised by Drs. Claire Card and Sally Sukut. Research focus: congenital hypothyroidism in foals.

Dr. Mónica Arévalo Naranjo of Ecuador is completing a combined MSc-large animal medicine residency program under the supervision of Dr. Fabienne Uehlinger. Research focus: antimicrobial resistance in horses.

Dr. Daniel Lopez Mauriello of Venezuela is completing a combined MSc-large animal surgical residency program under the supervision of Dr. James Carmalt. Research focus: orthopedic surgery in horses.

Dr. Muhammad Asjad is completing a combined MSc-equine field service residency program under the supervision of Dr. Michelle Husulak. Research focus: parasite management in horses.