Horse health care has been one of the WCVM's research strengths since the mid-1970s. Over the years, WCVM-based researchers have conducted fundamental research in areas such as infectious diseases, nutrition, reproduction, orthopedic surgery, behaviour, locomotion, wound healing, immune responses and vaccine development.

Besides generous support from the WCVM's Townsend Equine Health Research Fund (TEHRF), WCVM scientists who conduct equine research have received funding from provincial research agencies like the Alberta Agricultural Research Institute, private donors such as the Heather Ryan and L. David Dubé Foundation, and from national charities like the Equine Foundation of Canada.