BEFRED

BEF Equine Research


There are many aspects of equine research supported by BEF, here are just a few, below and right:

Do we need an Equine Biobank? To help us understand, please complete our UK Equine Biobank Survey

This survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete. You do not have to be a horse owner to take part; if you do not currently own a horse, simply complete section 3 as you would if you did own a horse.

This questionnaire is part of a bigger project, funded by the British Equestrian Federation, which aims to answer the question of whether or not the equine industry needs an equine biobank - would it enable the industry to make the most of advancing genomic technologies? For more information about the project, go to: www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/john-woolliams/project-information/

Biobanks are organised collections of biological samples and associated data (for more information, go to: www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/john-woolliams/what-is-a-biobank?/). Using samples and data from biobanks, researchers can identify the genetic and environmental factors associated with risk of certain diseases. This information can help to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Examples of diseases which are thought to have a genetic component are osteochondrosis, insect bite hypersensitivity (“sweet itch”) and recurrent airway obstruction (“heaves”). Research results can also contribute to the achievement of breeding and conservation goals (for more information go to: www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/john-woolliams/what-could-an-equine-biobank-be-used-for?/).

Thank you for reading and thank you for taking part! Ready to go? Click here to start!

British Equestrian Federation Researching Equines Database - BEFRED

What is BEFRED?

BEFRED is a free website, sponsored by the British Equestrian Federation, it contains abstracts of research carried out by undergraduates, postgraduates and post doctoral researchers into equine topics, with contact information to enable you to contact the establishment for more information. Visit BEFRED now, click here

BEFRED's competition to win an internship to Virginia Tech is live! Click here

BEFRED is availeble for everyone to use and now contains nearly 2300 research abstracts!

Who uses BEFRED?

• Undergraduates, postgraduates and post doctoral researchers researching equine topics
• People running riding schools, livery yards, breeding establishments, trekking centres, competition yards, competition disciplines, charitable and welfare enterprises looking for more industry information and research information.
• Companies selling to the industry including feed, tack, clothing, veterinary products, insurance, buildings, equipment, advertising.

• National and local government departments 

BEFRED history:

• The Consultation Process
• The History of BEFRED
• Letter to institutions December 2006
• Development Plan
• Letter to update institutions March 2007
• Letter to update institutions June 2007
• Letter to update institutions August 2007
• Letter to update institutions January 2008
• Letter to update institutions April 2008
• Letter to update institutions October 2008
• Letter to update institutions March 2009
• Poster advertising BEFRED