The Foundation for the Horse, in partnership with the EQUUS Foundation, has awarded Dr. Lauren Richardson, an equine veterinarian and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Georgia, with the 2025 EQUUS Foundation Research Career Award. The award recognizes a doctoral or residency student who has made considerable progress in equine health care research.
Dr. Richardson was honored with the $5,000 scholarship on December 7, 2025, during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 71st Annual Convention in Denver.
Dr. Richardson’s research is focused on investigating the effects of oxidative stress on the intestinal mucosal barrier, using NSAID-induced oxidative injury and equine intestinal organoids as a model of intestinal barrier dysfunction in horses.
The clinical impact of her work is significant, addressing a long-standing question in equine medicine: “Why do non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) preferentially damage the right dorsal colon in horses?” Her study hypothesizes that the varying intestinal damage among segments is related to differences in response to oxidative stress in the intestinal mucosa.
Understanding this unique susceptibility in horses could reveal intervention strategies targeting oxidative damage pathways in equine intestinal disease. The findings are expected to directly enhance equine clinical practice by identifying oxidative mechanisms of NSAID-induced right dorsal colitis and other gastrointestinal (GI) injuries, paving the way for targeted treatments.
Dr. Richardson’s interest stems from a recognized deficit in the translation of laboratory research to the clinical setting, particularly concerning GI disease. A board-certified large animal surgeon, she aims to pursue a career as a veterinary clinician scientist to generate clinically translatable findings.
The award will assist Dr. Richardson in completing her training program, which includes developing basic science laboratory skills, expanding her biomedical science education, and honing her scientific communication skills. She anticipates completing her doctoral studies in December 2026.
Dr. Richardson graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. She completed a residency in large animal surgery at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in 2019.
“The health and welfare of America’s horses is core to the mission of the EQUUS Foundation. We are honored to partner with The Foundation for the Horse through the EQUUS Foundation Research Fellowship to support veterinarians who are dedicating their careers to equine research,” said EQUUS Foundation Chair Jenny Belknap Kees.
About the EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity and accrediting body in the United States that is 100% dedicated to equine welfare with the dual mission to protect America’s horses from peril and strengthen the bond between people and horses. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of horses, promote the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educate the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach, and heal. To learn more, visit https://equusfoundation.org/
About The Foundation for the Horse
Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization transforming the lives of horses through equine veterinary education and scholarships, equine medical research, natural disaster relief, and support for working equids and horses in need around the world. As the charitable arm of the AAEP, The Foundation awards more than $1 million annually in scholarships, grants, and program support to help horses worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/
