Horse species symposium: Current and future outlook on equine industry, research trends, and opportunities: How to promote a sustainable field into the future

The equine industry represents a complex and evolving sector with substantial economic, social, and scientific significance, yet it faces growing challenges related to funding constraints, societal expectations for animal welfare, regulatory pressures, and rapid scientific and technological change. This article synthesizes perspectives presented at the 2025 Horse Species Symposium, held during the joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science and Canadian Society of Animal Science, which convened experts from academia, government, and industry to evaluate the current state and future outlook of equine research and practice. The symposium highlighted key themes shaping the sustainability of the equine field, including the diversification of research funding strategies, the increasing importance of interdisciplinary and cross-species collaboration, and the expanding role of equine research within broader animal and human health frameworks. Speakers emphasized the need for strategic alignment between research expertise and funding priorities, ethical and transparent research practices, and improved dissemination of research outcomes through publication and public engagement. Additional discussions addressed the implications of federal funding uncertainty, the value of entrepreneurship and partnerships, and the relevance of concepts such as One Health in advancing equine science. Collectively, the contributions underscore that sustaining the equine industry will require not only scientific innovation, but also effective communication, advocacy, and collaboration across sectors to ensure continued relevance, support, and impact.