The equine industry has known continuous growth in France since the 1970s. The French State decided to support such socio-economic development as well as that for other productive animal species. A long-term strategic program of research was decided on. This program was designed and implemented by the French National Studs (Haras nationaux), then the French Horse and Riding Institute (Institut français du cheval et de l’équitation – IFCE) and the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (Institut national de la recherche agronomique – INRA) with the help of scientific and technology higher educational institutions, gradually reinforced by other research and development institutions and, in the last few years, by the support of the Equine Competitiveness Cluster.
Priorities of research have been discussed and then adopted according to the requests of the equine sector made by the steering committee of the IFCE which means professionals are fully involved, and by the INRA equine commission mainly composed of scientists and development officers.
The objectives of the research program are to offer scientific, technical and technological solutions to meet the major challenges of the equine sector: the breeding and use of healthy and highly performing horses for racing and competition; the breeding of low-cost leisure horses for diverse activities; showing due respect for animal welfare and their diversity, and the preservation of the environment and without neglecting a number of connected production activities.
Research has led to the creation of many items which could be used but which are often not because of an inadequate or inappropriate transfer of the information. This essential part of the research, development and transfer (R&D&T) process should be reviewed.