Researchers at the University of Tennessee are asking horse owners to donate a horse to research if it is overweight or has a cresty neck and suffers from founder (laminitis). This group is studying new ways of managing insulin resistance and preventing laminitis in horses, including assessment of SmartControl IR, a dietary supplement manufactured by SmartPak, LLC.
Donation of your horse will result in a permanent transfer of ownership of the animal. Interested owners should note that the value of the donated horse can be listed as a charitable contribution for tax purposes up to $5,000.
Procedures used in the research studies will be minimally invasive and all work will be approved and monitored by the University of Tennessee Institutional Care and Use Committee.
Studies will be conducted by Dr. Nicholas Frank, a veterinarian and associate professor at the University of Tennessee. Please contact Dr. Frank via e-mail at nfrank@utk.edu or Sarah Elliott (research technician) at (865) 974-5701 if you are interesting in donating your horse.
However, please take note of the following conditions before contacting us:
1. Horses must meet the following requirements:
a. Must be a gelding (preferred) or mare. Stallions cannot be accepted.
b. Must be between 3 and 25 years of age
c. Must be overweight and/or have a thick cresty neck or fat pads
d. Horses with a history of laminitis (founder) are preferred
e. Horses with high blood insulin levels are preferred
2. Morgan horses, Paso Finos, and Arabians are preferred. Ponies, draft horses, miniature horses, mules, and donkeys cannot be accepted.
3. Horses must be donated to the University of Tennessee with complete release of ownership.
4. Horses cannot be purchased, but shipping expenses will be paid if necessary.
5. Donated horses will be accepted until December 31st, 2007
Further information can be found at www.vet.utk.edu/cemr/donations.
Contact: Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; 865-755-8238, nfrank@utk.edu
