The newsletter is an important source of information for the Australian horse industry. It is a vehicle to communicate findings of international research, news from the RIRDC Horse R&D Program, updates of RIRDC projects and information from other RIRDC programs that may be of interest to the horse industry.

This report is relevant to those with an interest in the extension of horse industry R&D information.

Background
The horse industry is a $15 billion industry but until the establishment of the RIRDC Equine Research News, there was no independent information available to the industry. Extension of research information has not been available, as this is not a role played by the various State Departments of Agriculture. Until the Horse R&D Program commenced in 1995, there was no vehicle for communication with the horse industry and no availability of independent research based information.

Since the RIRDC Equine Research News was first published in June 1995, all major horse industry groups have received information about equine research that is of interest to the industry groups and also regular updates of research and development projects supported by RIRDC.

Aims/Objectives
The objectives of the Communication and Information Programs for the Horse Industry project were to provide a strong communication program to ensure widespread industry knowledge of the RIRDC Horse R&D Program and to enable the results of the R&D to be used by the Australian horse industry.

To achieve strong communication with the horse industry, the Communication and Information Programs for the Horse Industry project initiated three vehicles of communication:

• RIRDC Equine Research News
• RIRDC Internet Website
• A database of Equine Organisations The aims of the newsletter, website and database were to:

Communicate with key industry groups.

1. Inform the various aspects of the horse industry about current projects and their progress, as well as new projects to be undertaken.
2. Include interviews with and photos of various research workers about their research projects.
3. Abstract information from veterinary journals, international conferences etc that are of interest to the industry. The aim is to provide a wide range of articles that will be of interest to the racing/breeding/pleasure horse industries.
4. Provide information in an electronic format via the Internet using a website.
5. Provide information to major horse industry publications, with acknowledgement of the role of RIRDC.

Methods Used
RIRDC Equine Research News
The RIRDC Equine Research news provides information to the horse industry on topical research from around the world. The information is sourced from peer-reviewed journals and research institution newsletters and publications, following literature searches in the key areas on various databases with material being rewritten for the lay audience.

The newsletter contains updates on current RIRDC funded projects as well as information on new RIRDC funded projects. Articles are published concerning RIRDC events and information from other RIRDC programs that might be of relevance to the horse industry is included.

RIRDC Horse R&D Program Internet Website
The Internet website provides the past and future editions of the newsletter, indexed and readily used by researchers, horse organisations, individuals and groups in Australia and overseas. Articles from past issues of the newsletter are grouped according to topic and a search function is available which allows access to articles based on key search words.

All past issues of the newsletter are available for download in PDF file format. This allows the viewer to download an issue in its original format for online viewing or to print and copy for other readers.

RIRDC projects are listed on the website with a description of the projects and contacts for researchers. The RIRDC Horse R&D Advisory Committee members are listed with a brief CV of each member. The website contains links to the RIRDC Corporate website; the viewer can link directly to the Horse Program objectives, 5-Year Plan for Horse Research and research publications.

Database of Equine Organisations
The database of equine organisations was initiated in 1995 using mailing addresses sourced from horse associations including the Australian Stock horse Association and Australian Pony Clubs. New addresses and address updates are sourced from industry newsletters, horse association websites and via direct contact to the database administrator from interested parties. New additions to the database are collected by the database administrator at industry events such as seminars, workshops, Equitana and the Magic Millions horse sales.

The database was set up using Microsoft Access. This program allows individual mailing groups to be merged to Word documents for the mailing of the RIRDC Equine Research News as well as for invitations to workshops and special RIRDC events.

Results/Key findings
RIRDC Equine Research News
This newsletter, of eight pages, now has 42 issues produced and with on publishing by various industry groups and articles in horse magazines, an effective distribution of more than 100,000 people.

The industry feedback has been tremendously positive and there is awareness by the industry of the possible benefits of research.

Internet website
The RIRDC Horse R&D Program Internet website has been well recognised internationally and is now built into site links with organisations in the USA, the UK and Europe. The Internet website provides an avenue for direct feedback from the horse industry via an email link. Several other websites have used information from the RIRDC Horse R&D website and this is done with acknowledgement and a link back to the program website.

Database
The database has been constantly maintained and updated and it is an extensive list of up-to-date horse contacts, which is used for both the Communications project and for RIRDC mail outs.

The database currently holds more than 2000 unique entries, which comprise horse associations, research institutions and individuals in the Australian and international horse industry, particularly international research organisations.

Implications for relevant stakeholders
Since the beginning of the RIRDC Horse R&D Program, there has been an extensive effort made to communicate information about the Program and about R&D to the horse industry. In repeated discussions with the industry and from our surveys, communication comes across as one of the highest priorities for our R&D. This is one reason why communication is one of the key components of the Horse R&D Plan.

The Communication and Information Program for the Horse Industry has enabled the results of R&D to be taken up by the industry and has provided a vehicle for effective communication of the Horse Research Program within the diverse elements of the horse industry. The horse industry is a $15 billion industry but until the establishment of the RIRDC Equine Research News, there was no independent information available to the industry. Since the RIRDC Equine Research News was first published in June 1995, all major horse industry groups have received information about horse research projects that are of interest to the industry groups and also regular updates of R&D projects supported by RIRDC. These provide an important vehicle for defining the outputs of R&D and its benefits to the horse industry.

Recommendations
Ongoing support for a strong communication program is necessary to ensure widespread industry support for the Horse Research Program and to enable the results of R&D to be used by the industry.