Growing concerns about equine obesity is at the heart of a new research partnership between UWS and Aberdeen-based biotechnology firm, Formartine Bio. With an estimated 50 to 70 percent of horses in the UK affected, this new research project aims to improve the overall wellbeing of horses via early detection and diagnoses of diseases and other health concerns.

Obesity is closely linked to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and laminitis, a painful condition affecting around 96,000 horses annually and a leading cause of equine mortality and is what the partnership between Aberdeen-based biotechnology firm, Formartine Bio and University of the West of Scotland will work on.

Current testing methods for horse health issues are often invasive and identify problems late. The new approach to be used in the research is low-stress and non-invasive for the horse and can be carried out by owners without a vet present. It supports animal welfare while enabling the collection of meaningful biological data in real-world settings.

The research will monitor glycans - also known as complex carbohydrates or sugars - in horses. Collected via a simple saliva sample directly from the horse, monitoring glycans can provide early, sensitive, and integrative information about inflammation, immune function, injury, metabolic health, and overall physiological stress – often before traditional clinical markers change.

As well as improving equine health and wellbeing, the new research can reduce the financial burden of horse ownership, with obesity-related care costing between £5,000 - £15,000 per year. The work also supports innovation in UK bioscience and promotes a shift towards preventative, evidence-based equine health care.

While UWS undertakes a range of zoology research, equine research in an emerging area of interest for the University, building on established strengths in physiology, microbiology, and applied health studies.

Dr Mia Burleigh, Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology at UWS, said: “From a health and welfare perspective, earlier identification and monitoring of physiological stress or disease risk in horses has clear potential benefits for both the horse and its owner. Improving how we recognise emerging issues may help support more timely management decisions, reduce the risk of disease progression, and contribute to better long-term outcomes for horses across a range of settings. This research aims to ensure better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and safer, more sustainable horse management.

Improving how we recognise emerging issues may help support more timely management decisions, reduce the risk of disease progression, and contribute to better long-term outcomes for horses across a range of settings. This research aims to ensure better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and safer, more sustainable horse management.

Dr Mia Burleigh, Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology at UWS

Dr Kimberley Mackenzie, Founder of Formartine Bio, added: “The project focuses on improving our understanding of equine glycans - complex sugar molecules that play a crucial role in immune function and health. By studying these glycans, the collaboration aims to support the development of more precise diagnostic tools for horses, with potential benefits for earlier detection, monitoring, and management of disease. This work highlights how academic and industry collaboration can translate fundamental science into real-world impact for animal health and welfare.”

This work highlights how academic and industry collaboration can translate fundamental science into real-world impact for animal health and welfare.

Dr Kimberley Mackenzie, Founder of Formartine Bio

The project team is led by Dr Kimberley Mackenzie, Founder of Formartine Bio, with Dr Mia Burleigh and Dr Gary Litherland, Lecturer in Cell and Cartilage Biology, from UWS.

The organisations have been awarded £7,500 of funding via Interface’s Standard Innovation Voucher scheme for the study, which supports collaborative research and knowledge exchange between universities and industry partners.

The research directly addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing; Goal 15, Life on Land; and Goal 17, Partnership for the Goals.