New Zealand Equine Research Foundation

26/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Ria, one of our two 2026 Jonathan Hope Equine Veterinarian Scholarship recipients!

Ria graduated from Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2017 and has since built an impressive career as an equine veterinarian across Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, with a primary focus on reproduction. She has been a valued member of the MVS Equibreed team since 2021.

Driven by a passion for continual learning, Ria is working toward becoming a specialist in Animal Reproduction. This year, the scholarship will support her in spending time with leading experts in North America — including a placement at Colorado State University — as well as with a reproduction specialist in Australia.

We're proud to support Ria on her journey toward becoming an Animal Reproduction Specialist, and look forward to the expertise she will bring back to equine breeders here in New Zealand. 🐴

21/05/2026

ITS HERE!
The latest edition of the Foundation Bulletin has landed in mailboxes today.
Grab a copy and a coffee for some interesting reading including latest research from Dr Lee Morris, travel reports from scholarship recipients and case studies from the veterinary students.

15/05/2026

🐴 Exciting research news! With the support of NZERF, Dr. Babiche Heil and her team at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have had their manuscript published in the Equine Veterinary Journal!

"Vaginal host-microbe signatures linked to placental outcomes in mares" explores the connection between the mare's vaginal microbiome and placental health — an important step toward better reproductive outcomes for horses.

It's published open access, so anyone can read it for free. 🎉

👉 https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/evj.70185

Congratulations Babiche and team — we're proud to have supported this work! 🙌

Background Ascending placentitis is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. Although pathogens are presumed to ascend from the caudal reproductive tract, the association between the va...

28/04/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Tyler Porteous
The recent recipient of the Salient Trust 2026 Young Achiever Award.

Tyler is a 26-year-old PhD candidate based in Palmerston North, investigating the environmental and genetic factors associated with nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome (NCS) in New Zealand Thoroughbred broodmares. Her research aims to improve
understanding of this condition to inform future breeding and management strategies within the racing industry.
Alongside PhD studies, Tyler also work's racehorses at Lisa Latta's Racing stables and participates in the amateur rider series.

Her goal following the completion of her PhD, is to continue
research into disease prevention and the regulation of gene doping in New Zealand racehorses.

Congratulations Tyler! We look forward to following your progress.
Thank you to the Salient Trust for supporting this valuable research and NZ's young scientists.

23/03/2026

GET YOUR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS IN SOON!

Applications close 30 April annually

For more information and the application form:

Research Grant Applications We are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for funding of equine research projects.At the New Zealand Equine Research Foundation, we are committed to advancing the understanding and knowledge of equine health and welfare. To achieve this goal, we are in...

13/01/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON!

Get your applications in!
Salient Trust Young Achiever Scholarship and Jonathan Hope Equine Veterinary Scholarship closing 31 January 2026!

For more information head over to our website:

The New Zealand Equine Research Foundation (NZERF) is a charitable trust that supports research and other scientific work related to horses. It is dedicated to promoting the welfare, health, and performance of horses, as well as encouraging the scientific study and understanding of these magnificent

04/01/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE NZERF COMMUNITY!

We have a big year ahead of us as NZERF will be celebrating turning 50 this year! In 1976, a small group of visionary people conceived the idea of a national equine research foundation and worked vigorously to persuade all sectors of the horse industry to support their dream. It is because of this vision that the NZERF has been able to provide educational booklets, seminars, bulletins, research grants and scholarships to many of the industry leaders and participants.

Watch this space for more information!

28/12/2025

ONE MONTH TO GO!

Get your applications in!
Salient Trust Young Achiever Scholarship and Jonathan Hope Equine Veterinary Scholarship closing 31 January 2026!

For more information head over to our website:
https://nzerf.org.nz/

23/12/2025

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! 🙏
We want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible sponsors who make the work of the NZERF possible. Without your support, we simply couldn't do what we do.
A special shout-out to the NZ Warmblood Association, who have recently come on board to support the publication of Reproduction in the Mare by Dr Babiche Heil - an invaluable resource for our equine community.

To all our sponsors: your commitment to advancing equine research, education, and excellence doesn't go unnoticed. You help us get stuff done, and we're deeply grateful for your partnership! 💙🐴

If you'd like to learn more about supporting the NZERF's work, please get in touch.

21/12/2025

MASSEY VET SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🎓
Congratulations to Ella Rae-Wood on being awarded a Massey Vet Scholarship!
Ella has a strong equine background, having grown up competing with a focus on show jumping, and more recently working in the thoroughbred racing industry. She has spent several summers working at Riccarton Park and currently works part-time at Awapuni alongside her studies.

Her lifelong involvement with performance horses has inspired her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, with particular interests in equine sports medicine and reproduction.

Ella is already making the most of her opportunities having completed equine placements at Canterbury Equine Clinic and Rangiora Equine Services, where highlights included assisting with a dystocia and mare aftercare, learning radiographic imaging techniques, reproductive work including mare AI, and practicing examination and ultrasound techniques.

This scholarship will support her to gain further practical experience during her fifth year as she prepares for a future career as a veterinarian. We're excited to follow her journey and can't wait to hear about the experiences and cases she encounters!

Well done, Ella ! 🐴💙