Equine Research

Creating innovative 3D printing solutions to challenging problems encountered in complex surgeries facing veterinary patients. The lab achieves high impact research by pursuing groundbreaking discoveries, translating those discoveries into new surgical treatments, and training the next generation of leaders in translational surgery.

With a newly renovated high-speed treadmill that reaches 60 mph, we’re advancing research on how supplements and medications affect young racehorses’ performance, bone strength and electrolyte balance – all while monitoring key metrics in real time.

The Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory (IWECRL), established in 1988 through a gift honoring the stallion Island Whirl, focuses on improving understanding, prevention, and treatment of equine colic. It supports advanced in vivo and ex vivo research, attracts major grant funding, and provides training for graduate students, producing numerous publications.

Founded by Dr. Al Merritt and later led by Dr. David Freeman, the lab has expanded expertise in colic surgery, gastrointestinal function, pain management, and motility disorders, with contributions from multiple faculty. Research has advanced knowledge of gastric ulcers, intestinal inflammation, surgical recovery, fluid needs, and drug effects on the gut.