In order to help build on vital knowledge which can help keep horses in the sport industry healthy, the University of Calgary is opening a new research chair.
The Calgary Chair in Equine Sports Medicine is aimed at improving training for all types of sport horses to ensure that the animals are skilled enough to avoid being injured.
Officials say research through the program will end up benefitting the entire equine industry from show jumpers and race horses to Western pleasure and rodeo horses and draft horses.
"It's very important for the horse community to be at the cutting edge of research so it has direct access to new discoveries to better take care of horses and improve their health," said Dr. Renaud Léguillette, the inaugural research chair.
He says that the establishment of the chair will streamline the process to secure funding for research and get to work faster than before.
“You know the funding is there already and you can start work right away.”
Organizations and horse owners themselves are also enthusiastic about the idea and are supporting the research arm through financial donations.
The Calgary Stampede donated $250,000 to kick off the research chair while the Moore Equine Veterinary Centre contributed $135,000.
Linda Atkinson also donated $50,000 after her own horse was cared for by Léguillette.
