MRLS caused the abortion of hundreds of horse foetuses in Kentucky and other states two foaling seasons ago.

"In the final analysis we do not understand this disease," Dr. Bruce Webb, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky told bloodhorse.com.

Webb and Dr. Karen McDowell, of the Gluck Equine Research Centre at the University of Kentucky, presented an update on continuing research into MRLS, which was blamed on the Eastern Ten Caterpillar.

The pair said $800,000 will be needed in the next 12 to 24 months to fund the exhaustive research still needed to understand and then prevent further occurrences of MRLS.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Foundation will work to gather the funds and one farm, not named, has reportedly pledged $100,000 and five others, also not identified, have each put up $50,000.

It has been estimated that the outbreak of MRLS cost Kentucky Thoroughbred breeders upwards of $500 million.

Courtesy Of The United States Trotting Association