The Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group Inc. is accepting proposals to fund research investigating equine metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance (EMS/IR) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).

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The ECIR Group’s mission is to improve the welfare of equines with metabolic disorders via an interface between research and clinical experience with laminitis prevention as the ultimate goal. The ECIR Group serves the scientific community, practicing clinicians and owners by focusing on investigations most likely to directly, immediately and significantly benefit the welfare of the horse.

“Quality scientific research is critical to the continuous advancement of knowledge to benefit metabolic equines,” says Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, ECIR Group Inc. Research Director. “Our goal in 2024 is to fund research and encourage collaboration between scientists, scholars, veterinarians, and hoof care professionals to positively affect the health and welfare of these equines.”

The ECIR Group, an Arizona nonprofit corporation, began in 1999 and, in 2013, was approved as a 501(c)3 public charity. It is the largest field-trial database for PPID and EMS/IR in the world. The group communicates the latest research, diagnosis and treatment information, including dietary recommendations, for horses with these conditions through a central outreach group, website, social media, published research and the NO Laminitis! Conference.

“Through the sharing of their in-the-barn experience, ECIR Group supporters have helped build effective protocols for metabolically challenged equines,” says Nancy Collins, ECIR president. “It is an honor that now, through member financial support, the ECIR Group has expanded to also fund equine metabolic research.”

Applications for funding should be limited to topics relevant to EMS and PPID, especially those within the ECIR Group philosophy of diagnosis, diet, trim and exercise (DDT/E) and prevention of laminitis. Proposals that meet these general guidelines will all be considered. All applications must be submitted via the ecirhorse.org research portal. The deadline for submission is May 31, 2024.

Researchers will find more information at ecirhorse.org/research-proposals.php.