A new study of laminitis at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been approved by the Barbaro Memorial Fund, which is administered by NTRA Charities and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Funds for the study will flow through the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.The new study, "Effect of Digital Hypothermia on Inflammatory Injury in Laminitis," by Dr. James Belknap, is a two-year project funded for $82,109. The study will examine the effects of extreme, isolated cold on the damage done to hoof tissue when laminitis damages the hoof wall's bond to the inner foot.
Barbaro funds also will support two continuing projects: "Targeting 5-HT in Equine Laminitis," by Dr. Douglas Allen at University of Georgia and "Treatment of Equine Laminitis with Doxycycline," by Dr. Susan Eades at Louisiana State University. Both studies were funded with a $100,000 contribution from the Barbaro fund to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation in 2007; an additional $8,692 completes the projects in 2008. Both projects are on schedule to produce research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The Barbaro Fund contributed an additional $60,000 in 2007 toward laminitis research projects and programs at the University of Pennsylvania, bringing its total disbursements to $250,801.
A distinguished panel of equine veterinarians, assembled by the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation, evaluated several proposals before making final recommendations on the laminitis studies. The panel included Dr. Larry Bramlage, chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; Dr. Johnny Smith, the Foundation's veterinary consultant; Dr. Paul Lunn, Professor and Head of Clinical Studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University; Dr. Scott Hay, President of the Teigland, Franklin, Brokken veterinary firm and a specialist in equine lameness; racetrack practitioner Dr. Tom Brokken, also of Teigland, Franklin, Brokken veterinary firm (and a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners); Dr. David Horohov, the William Robert Mills Chair at the Maxwell Gluck Research Center, University of Kentucky; Dr. Gary Lavin, a retired race track practitioner, past AAEP president, and Vice-Chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation; Dr. Rick Arthur, Equine Medical Director for the California Horse Racing Board; Dr. John Stick, Professor and Chief of Staff at the Large Animal Clinic of Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. James Orsini, Director of The Laminitis Institute, and Associate Professor of Surgery at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania.
Barbaro, winner of the 2007 Kentucky Derby, was euthanized while recovering from fracture surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. The horse developed laminitis, a common and often fatal complication of orthopedic procedures for some horses.
Photo: University of Pennsylviania, Hoof Blog archive
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