Iowa state university will increase equine biosecurity through education and outreach to horse owners, their veterinarians, and other equine stakeholders

Iowa State University of Science and Technology received a $289,419 cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The award, effective August 15, 2025, through August 14, 2027, funds the development and delivery of equine biosecurity education and outreach initiatives designed to protect horse health and support producer livelihoods.

The primary deliverable is the creation of an online registry of Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RACE)-approved equine biosecurity continuing education courses utilizing innovative e-learning software. These free, web-based training resources will address equine-specific biosecurity challenges, including inter-state travel and co-mingling at equine events, and will be made available to horse owners, veterinarians, and other equine industry stakeholders. The project aligns with APHIS's mission to protect U.S. agriculture from economically injurious animal diseases through education-focused workforce development and industry engagement in disease prevention practices.

The project aims to develop an online registry of approved continuing education (RACE)-approved equine biosecurity course. The course will use innovative and engaging E-learning software and address equine-specific biosecurity challenges, such as frequent inter-state travel and CO-mingling at equine events. Horse owners will benefit from having free online equine biosecurity training that will protect the health of their animals and strengthen their livelihoods and economic opportunities.