Understanding pain in horses with osteoarthritis

Psychometric Reliability and Validity for Behavioral Metrics of Osteoarthritic Pain in Horses

NIH-funded research University of Florida · NIH-11051315

This study looks at how osteoarthritis causes pain in horses by examining their joints and behaviors, with the goal of finding better ways to treat pain for both horses and possibly humans.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Gainesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11051315 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how osteoarthritis affects pain in horses, focusing on the relationship between joint degeneration and pain symptoms. By examining the entire joint structure, including cartilage, bone, and ligaments, the study aims to develop better models for understanding and treating osteoarthritic pain. The approach includes assessing behavioral metrics in horses to capture the complexity of pain experiences, which could lead to improved therapies for both animals and potentially humans. The research will utilize veterinary clinical populations to ensure that the findings are relevant and applicable.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis, particularly those exhibiting pain symptoms.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have osteoarthritis or those without observable pain symptoms may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies for osteoarthritis in horses, which may also inform treatments for similar conditions in humans.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using animal models to study osteoarthritis pain, indicating that this approach is both relevant and promising.

Where this research is happening

Gainesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.