DAVIS — The William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation has pledged $3 million to support the Center for Equine Health (CEH) to continue its operational, educational and research efforts to benefit horses. The CEH is part of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis.

The Mabie Endowment will ensure the permanence of the CEH and allow it to continue its research and educational programs in equine medical science, officials say.

The endowment was offered in the form of a challenge grant whereby an additional $1.8 million must be raised within six years to create a matching endowed directorship position. The requested “Directors Endowment” is a call to the equine industry from the Mabie Foundation to provide the necessary funding to recruit exemplary future leaders of the Center.

“The Mabie Endowment is an invaluable gift to the School of Veterinary Medicine,” said Dr. Gregory Ferraro, DVM, Director of the CEH. “It will allow the Center and our equine faculty to improve the health, performance and welfare of horses in perpetuity. Their gift, combined with the fulfillment of the proposed Directorship Endowment, will position UC Davis permanently as an international leader in equine medical research and education. The vision and leadership provided by the Mabie Foundation on behalf of the horse are to be commended. I can’t thank them enough.”

Persons or organizations interested in meeting the Mabie Foundation’s challenge by contributing to the CEH “Directorship Endowment” campaign should contact Dr. Gregory L. Ferraro at (530) 752-6433, or email: glferraro@ucdavis.edu.