On Jan. 24 the (American Association of Equine Practitioners) AAEP Foundation released the findings of its 2010 Equine Respiratory Research Workshop, held July 20-21, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The report sums up future objectives identified by leading researchers of upper and lower respiratory diseases, immune responses, genetics, diagnostic priorities, and treatments.

The report is now available on the AAEP website. Each section of the report includes a statement of issues followed by a list of research priorities.

The workshop, hosted by the AAEP Foundation, provided an opportunity for practitioners and researchers to discuss the future of equine respiratory research and the priorities that the industry should invest in for the future. Held in conjunction with the AAEP's 2010 Focus on Respiratory Disease educational meeting, the workshop included the presentation of abstracts by 12 panelists as well as a round table discussion and breakout sessions with 21 panel researchers. The goal of this panel was to answer specific questions about the direction and cost of future research of the equine airway system. The panel was divided into two groups representing upper and lower respiratory disorders and was moderated by Norm Ducharme, DMV, MSc, Dipl. ACVS, and Dorothy Ainsworth, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM.

"I want to thank Drs. Ducharme and Ainsworth and all the researchers who volunteered their time to help develop this important document," said Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, PhD, DSc, FRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, AAEP Foundation Chairman. "I look forward to the equine and veterinary communities embracing and using this information to help horses through much needed equine respiratory research