The British HBLB has awarded £1.6m in equine veterinary research and education grants for 2013. Nine new research projects will be supported, in disciplines that reflect the HBLB’s research priorities will begin April 1, 2013 and run through March 31, 2014.
Veterinary research and education for better horse health
HBLB collects a statutory levy from horse racing businesses which it then distributes for the improvement of horse racing, breeds of horses, and the advancement of veterinary science and education.
The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is a statutory body established by the Betting Levy Act 1961 and now operating in accordance with the provisions of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 (as amended).
Unlike some other non-departmental public bodies, the HBLB receives no central Government grant-in-aid and no National Lottery funding.
Instead, it is required by the Act to collect a statutory levy from the horseracing business of bookmakers and the Tote successor company which it then distributes for the improvement of horseracing and breeds of horses and for the advancement of veterinary science and education.
The successful breeding, training and racing of thoroughbreds relies on numerous grooms, riders and jockeys with specialist skills and knowledge. Their recruitment and training is substantially funded through the Levy, as is Racing's schools education program.
Three new research scholarships have also been awarded, providing higher level research training leading to the award of a PhD qualification.
These awards support qualified veterinary surgeons to undertake research training leading to a PhD, in any equine veterinary field relevant to the Thoroughbred horse.
Diseases and conditions to be addressed through research include:
- African horse sickness,
- Equine herpes virus,
- Rhodococcus equi,
- Strangles,
- Streptococcus equi,
- West nile virus
Research priorities for better horse health:
Improved prevention of current and emerging infectious diseases by the development of more effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, biosecurity and management strategies.
Developing essential tools for equine regenerative medicine Research priority: Improved methods of identification, management and prevention of musculoskeletal disease and injury in racehorses.
Modelling EHV-1 induced abortion – factors affecting virus spread from leukocytes to endothelial cells Research priority: Improved male and female reproductive efficiency.
pprentice to Journeyman: the influence of jockey technique on Thoroughbred racehorse locomotion (1) Research priority: Improved training environment and racecourse design and surfaces, riding strategies, tack and equipment to enhance the safety, health and well-being of racehorses.
Further details on these new projects, together with summaries describing recent and current research on diseases and injuries of the thoroughbred, is available on a new online resource at racehorsehealth.hblb.org.uk