The American Endurance Ride Conference is soliciting research investigations that would benefit endurance horses and endurance horse riding. The following areas are of great interest to the AERC:

1. Identification of risk factors for non-completions

2. Working in conjunction with the current AERC horse database, creation of a second database to include more specific horse information that is readily searchable and statistically analyzable.

Proposals dealing with other aspects of endurance horses and riding will be considered as well. The deadline for proposals is February 1, 2009. One paper copy and an electronic version should be submitted to the AERC national office. Questions may be addressed to Olin Balch, DVM, PhD, at 208-315-3898 or obalch@earthlink.net.