EQUINE RESEARCH ■ SCHOLARSHIPS ■ THERAPEUTIC RIDING THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM 2012 ANNUAL REPORT By mission, the American Quarter Horse riding; ensure the future of the equine Foundation is the related philanthropic industry by developing and educating future organization of the American Quarter Horse industry professionals through scholarships; Association; but to many it’s the physical and preserve the past, present and future of the evidence of an unspoken understanding and American Quarter Horse through the Hall of Bbond between horse and man. Fame & Museum. The Foundation’s efforts touch the hearts and Each and every day our horses strive to reach minds of people all over the world. We support new levels of achievement by giving their best the care and welfare of the American Quarter for us. Through the support of donors, we can Horse through equine research; help children continue to give our best back to our horses and adults overcome physical and cognitive for many years to come. barriers through our support of therapeutic As I look over the list of donors included in this annual report, it warms my heart to see all of you that truly love the horse and believe in the Foundation’s programs. This list would grow exponentially if we were able to capture all the names of the volunteers who are not just wearing the nametag – but are deep in the trenches working to tell others about the important work of the American Quarter Horse Foundation. We all stand united as a family – our passion for the horse and our friendships come together in a very special bond that the Foundation further solidifies. When I came on board with the Foundation eight years ago, I did not understand the tremendous impact it would have on my life. I have been involved in our Association and loved this horse my Foundation Council entire life, so the opportunity to work to help preserve the history and Laina Banks, Chair heritage of the horse and the people that are my heroes felt very natural. Schulenburg, Texas The chance to help young people receive a great education that might Margaret Bellville Atlanta, Georgia allow them to go on to find a cure for an equine disease was so exciting. What I did not understand was that the harder I worked and the more I Glenn Blodgett Guthrie, Texas gave to the Foundation and our horse, the more I received in my heart in return. I am truly the one who has received the greatest gifts. Rick Bucholz Waterloo, Nebraska Thank you all for allowing me the honor of serving as the Foundation Ruth Dismuke-Blakely Council chair for the last three years. Although my term has come to an Edgewood, New Mexico end, I will never stop working for our horse; and I encourage you to join Joni Hegel Kate Johnson, the incoming Foundation Council chair, and the dedicated Scottsdale, Arizona council members, staff and volunteers in doing the same. Kate Johnson Fort Worth, Texas Warmly, Robin Merrill Poolville, Texas Rusty Moody Laina Banks Roswell, Georgia Council Chair American Quarter Horse Foundation Scott Myers Sharon Center, Ohio Ralph Seekins Fairbanks, Alaska THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE FOUNDATION 1 THE FOUNDATION AT WORK American Quarter Horses have long captivated our hearts with their By volunteering, supporting and sharing our message, you help gentleness and willingness to give their very best. They touch many the Foundation: lives and unite people from all walks of life with the common goal to • Provide the aid necessary to help find cures for the ailments that celebrate the bond we share with these great animals and preserve plague our horses; and protect their well-being for future generations. • Help a student pay for college expenses; • Help someone overcome physical and cognitive barriers with the The American Quarter Horse Foundation was established for this help of a horse; purpose and with your help creates and maintains programs that • Honor those who shaped our breed and share this legacy with improve the lives of horses and people. future generations. Help Students Celebrate the Partnership The Foundation provides financial assistance to members of the American Quarter Horse Association and American Quarter Horse between Horses and People Youth Association through general, racing, career path and state or regional scholarships. Scholarships are available for students in a variety of majors. 10% Eligibility of applicants is based on the individual criteria and requirements provided for each scholarship available. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, financial need and American 48% Quarter Horse involvement, as well as the applicant’s outstanding leadership and communication skills. 42% Members of AQHA and AQHYA can apply for a variety of scholarships to help them achieve their dream of a higher education, and after graduation, more than 77 percent maintain their involvement with horses. Help Those in Need Through grants, the American Quarter Horse Foundation supports the educational advancement of professionals within the field of equine assisted activities and therapies. Equine Research $303,427 Therapists, riding instructors and volunteers address the limitations caused by autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other Scholarships debilitating illnesses through the rhythmic motion of a horse. $267,125 Riders move fluidly with the American Quarter Horse improving Therapeutic Riding balance, muscle tone, flexibility, cognitive ability and overall quality of life. $66,000 Help Tell the Stories Help Horses The Foundation strives to honor the legendary people and horses who The Foundation is one of only four private funding agencies to offer have shaped our breed and tell the stories of great horses and horsemen grant assistance for research in the area of horse health. Grant funding of the past to future generations. is allocated for universities performing a diverse range of research related to the health, welfare and utility of the horse. The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum provides resources for teachers to share the historical role the horse plays in the The Foundation strives to select the best, most effective projects development of our country and deepens an owner’s understanding of that will help answer the important questions we have as owners and the bloodlines in the barn at home. breeders. Research leads to advancements in controlling and treating laminitis, and supports the study of immunizations, vaccinations for A visit to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum infectious diseases, DNA parentage verification and musculoskeletal inspires visitors both young and old to dream of life on the back of a injuries in performance and racehorses. horse. Education and training gained from equine research provides To learn more about the many ways you can invest in the future of practitioners and veterinarians with the valuable knowledge needed the American Quarter Horse, visit us on the web at www.aqha.com/ to save a horse’s life – our horse. foundation, call (806) 378-5029 or email us at [email protected]. 2 THE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE FOUNDATION 2012-2013 Equine Research Projects Total Grants – $303,427 to eight universities University of Minnesota “Selective Breeding Practices in the American Quarter Horse: Impact on Health and Disease” Selective horse breeding has produced American Quarter Horses that are highly successful in a variety of performance disciplines. Although enzyme that converts a non-toxic prodrug into a toxic metabolite the breed is diverse, the researchers believe selective breeding has led which destroys the tumor cell. The study aims to 1) compare various to substantial genetic structure within the American Quarter Horse suicide gene therapy systems for optimal cell killing effects on sarcoid breed, with decreased diversity and potential concentrations of cell lines and 2) access suicide gene delivery by electroporation (using genetic diseases in some subpopulations. Study seeks to 1) determine electric pulse to carry a molecule into a cell). if there is a detrimental decrease in genetic diversity in some Investigator(s): Camila Rios Salomao de Souza – subpopulations; 2) Identify disease and other genes that breeders are Young Investigator over selecting for or under selecting for when they breed for a trait in halter, pleasure, cutting, reining, working cow horse and racing performance categories. University of Georgia Investigator(s): Molly McCue DVM, PhD, Stephanie Valberg “Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tracking using Superparamagnetic DVM, PhD and James Mickelson PhD Iron Oxide Particles in Equine Tendonitis” Study focuses on the optimization of stem cell therapy for horses University of Massachusetts affected with tendon injuries. Tendon strains and sprains are very common injuries to the lower leg of performance horses. Recent “The Role of MMPs 1, 2, and 13 and ADAMTS4 in the successes have been reported with the injection of mesenchymal stem Pathogenesis of Equine Laminitis” cells derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow or umbilical cord It is estimated that 2 to 7 percent of all U.S. horses will develop blood. Although the therapy appears to work little is understood laminitis each year. Although there are many factors that initiate about the behavior of the intra-lesionally implanted stem cells laminitis, no causative direct molecular mechanism has been including their migration patterns and rates of disappearance from identified. This research team has shown that the matrix the injury site. The study will be focused on 1) introducing small metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 2, and 13, and aggrecanase 1 iron-based particles in stem cells to make sure the process does not (ADAMTS-4) are expressed during the acute phase of starch induced damage the cells and 2) image the stem cells containing the iron oxide laminitis. Matrix metalloproteinasas are zinc dependent proteases particles with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in lesions created that degrade extra cellular matrix proteins. Extra cellular matrix in the superficial digital flexor tendon of research animals to determine proteins are the structural entities that surround and support the cells the migration and treatment patterns of the technology.