When it comes to scientifically documented information about horses, the foot is the least understood functioning part of the equine athlete.

We think we know how the foot works. We know how to shoe it in order to protect it and prevent injury. When a horse is lame, we can treat the problem with some predictable degree of success. Recent studies on the foot have opened our eyes to how--and why-some methods work, while others don't.

The horse world loses a substantial percent of its active working and sport population each year because of problems related to lameness and unsoundness. This loss costs millions of dollars--and lots of heartache--to the horse owning public. Farriers and veterinarians work diligently with owners and trainers to treat the problems, but it may be weeks or months before a horse returns to training. And that peak of pre-injury performance may never be regained.

The American Farrier's Association believes that research into the basic functions of the horse's foot and equine locomotion could shed new light on the treatment and prevention of lameness. At the same time, new knowledge on the circulation and weightbearing systems of the foot can improve shoeing and trimming techniques to enhance the farrier's ability to maximize a horse's performance potential.

In 1988, the AFA established a research foundation to seek out and financially support research projects that contribute to the scientific body of knowledge about the foot, lameness, and locomotion. Through annual grants and the generous individual support of members and the horseowning public, the AFA has been instrumental in encouraging and funding new research.

But the AFA can't support research without your financial help. If you've ever been mystified by why a particular shoe does or doesn't work ... if you've ever been frustrated by a stubborn foot condition ... if you've ever felt your heart break when a lame horse's career ended, then you'll remember wishing you had an answer.

The answers are out there. The AFA/ERF will use your donations to ask the questions, and bring the answers back to you and your horses.

Making sure that a penny
earned is a dollar well-spent...

The American Farrier's Association's Equine Research Fund has made a commitment to ensure that all donations are properly invested in credible research projects. Before a project is approved for funding, it must pass the scrutiny of the ERF's Review Board, which is comprised of leading farriers and veterinarians in the horse industry. In addition, grant applications must be approved by both the AFA/ERF Committee and the AFA's own Board of Directors.

Initial grants from the AFA / ERF...

In its first year as a funding source, the AFA's Equine Research Fund used donations from members and the horse-owning public to support two important projects.