Dr. Amanda Adams is an Associate Professor at the Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky. She is also Adjunct faculty at Lincoln Memorial University, College of Veterinary Medicine, and has been recently honored as a Mars EquestrianTM Fellow, specializing in the care of senior horses. As a lifelong horse woman, she was diverted from vet school by interest in equine research after internships with Boehringer Ingelheim during her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology obtained at Stephens College.
She then went on to complete her PhD in Veterinary Science with an emphasis in Equine Immunology from the University of Kentucky and then completed a Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in areas of Immunology and Endocrinology at the Gluck Center. She then succeeded through the ranks at UK as Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor and now Associate Professor. Currently, her research program encompasses the study of equine immunology and endocrinology in the areas of aging, obesity/endocrine diseases/laminitis, and stress.
Her research program is world renown in that she has established and supports a unique herd of aged, PPID, obese/metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulated horses that are maintained at the Gluck Center, for both basic and applied research to further our knowledge in these areas in order to improve the health and well-being of the aging horse population.
Her research program has been supported by Foundations (AQHA, MAF, Waltham-Buckeye Equine Grant), USDA-ARS, as well as the Pharmaceutical industry (Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Zoetis, Neogen) and Nutritional industry (Purina, Alltech, Mars).
She has given invited talks both Nationally and Internationally. She has published 40+ peer-reviewed publications, is the author of two book chapters and has trained a number of undergraduate students, graduate students, vet students, post-docs and visiting scientists.
Scholars@UK
Demographics and health of U.S. senior horses used in competitions
Herbst, A. C., Coleman, M. C., Macon, E. L., Harris, P. A. & Adams, A. A., Jul 2025, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 57, 4, p. 1044-1052 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effects of storage-handling methods on nutrient analysis of fresh-forage samples
Kerley, B. S., Harris, P., Lea, K., McClendon, M. & Adams, A. A., Nov 2024, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 142, 105182.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The impact of short-term transportation stress on insulin and oral sugar responses in insulin dysregulated and non-insulin dysregulated horses
Jacquay, E. T., Harris, P. A. & Adams, A. A., May 2025, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 57, 3, p. 745-755 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Owner-reported health and disease in U.S. senior horses
Herbst, A. C., Coleman, M. C., Macon, E. L., Harris, P. A. & Adams, A. A., May 2025, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 57, 3, p. 684-702 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Effects of Intra-Articular Triamcinolone and Autologous Protein Solution on Metabolic Parameters in Horses
Page, A. E., Johnson, M., Parker, J. L., Jacob, O., Poston, R., Adams, A. A. & Adam, E. N., Aug 2 2024, In: Animals. 14, 15Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A survey of general road transportation: How and why horses are transported in the U.S.
Jacquay, E. T., Harris, P. A., Stowe, C. J., McIntosh, B. J. & Adams, A. A., Sep 2024, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 140, 105137.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Insulin dysregulated horses metabolic responses to forage pellets
Macon, E. L., Harris, P., McClendon, M., Perron, B. & Adams, A., Feb 2024, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 133, 104991.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Ivermectin performance in horses diagnosed with equine endocrine disorders
Nielsen, M. K., Finnerty, C. A., Ripley, N. E., Page, A. E., McClendon, M. E. & Adams, A. A., Jun 1 2024, In: Veterinary Parasitology. 328, p. 110182Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass in US senior horses
Herbst, A. C., Coleman, M. C., Macon, E. L., Brokman, A., Stromberg, A. J., Harris, P. A. & Adams, A. A., May 2024, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 56, 3, p. 522-534 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Evaluation of seasonal influences on adrenocorticotropic hormone response to the thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test and its accuracy for diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Adams, A. A., Siard-Altman, M. H., Reedy, S. E., Barker, D., Elzinga, S., Sanz, M. G., Urschel, K. & Ireland, J. L., Oct 1 2023, In: Veterinary Journal. 300-302, 106035.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The effect of pre-dosing with metformin on the insulin response to oral sugar in insulin-dysregulated horses
Colmer, S. F., Adams, A. A., Adam, E., Miller, R., Stefanovski, D., Kulp, J. C. & van Eps, A., Mar 2024, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 56, 2, p. 318-325 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Age-Related Differences in Short-Term Transportation Stress Responses of Horses
Jacquay, E. T., Harris, P. A. & Adams, A. A., Sep 2023, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 128, 104879.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Interactions between animal temperament and exposure to endophytic tall fescue: Effects on cell-mediated and humoral immunity in beef heifers
Altman, A. W., Adams, A. A., McLeod, K. R. & Vanzant, E. S., 2023, In: Frontiers in Animal Science. 4, 1086755.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The effects of cannabidiol on immune function and health parameters in senior horses
Turner, S., Knych, H. K. & Adams, A. A., Mar 2023, In: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 257, 110549.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Identifying possible thresholds for nonstructural carbohydrates in the insulin dysregulated horse
Macon, E. L., Harris, P., Bailey, S., Caldwell Barker, A. & Adams, A., Nov 2023, In: Equine Veterinary Journal. 55, 6, p. 1069-1077 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in a randomized crossover trial in senior horses
Turner, S. E., Knych, H. K. & Adams, A. A., Sep 1 2022, In: American Journal of Veterinary Research. 83, 9Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Comparison of the host response to larvicidal and nonlarvicidal treatment of naturally acquired cyathostomin infections in horses
Steuer, A. E., Scoggin, K., Stewart, J. C., Barker, V. D., Adams, A. A., Loynachan, A. T. & Nielsen, M. K., Oct 2022, In: Parasite Immunology. 44, 10, e12941.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effect of aging on monocyte phagocytic and inflammatory functions, and on the ex vivo inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide, in horses
Herbst, A. C., Reedy, S. E., Page, A. E., Horohov, D. W. & Adams, A. A., Aug 2022, In: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 250Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Lipidomic analysis of surfactant and plasma from horses with asthma and age-matched healthy horses
Christmann, U., Page, A. E., Horohov, D. W., Adams, A. A., Chapman, S. E., Hancock, C. L., Emery, A. L., Poovey, J. R., Hagg, C., Ortega Morales, S. M., Duncan, A. R., Morgan, J., Couetil, L. L., Morresey, P. & Wood, P. L., Jul 11 2022, In: American Journal of Veterinary Research. 83, 9Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Seasonal Insulin Responses to the Oral Sugar Test in Healthy and Insulin Dysregulated Horses
Macon, E. L., Harris, P., Barker, V. D. & Adams, A. A., Jun 2022, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 113, 103945.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Agronomy of Hemp and Its Uses in Forage-Animal Agriculture
Adams, A. (PI)
8/1/21 → 7/31/25
Project: Research project
The Effects of Oral Sirolimus on Insulin Dynamics in Horses with Naturally-occurring ID
Adams, A. (PI)
4/1/23 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
The Agronomy of Hemp and Its Uses in Forage-Animal Agriculture
Matthews, J. (PI), Adam, E. (CoI), Adams, A. (CoI), Ely, D. (CoI), Gauthier, N. (CoI), Harmon, D. (CoI), Hunt, A. (CoI), Ji, H. (CoI), Kawashima, T. (CoI), Lawrence, L. (CoI), Mark, T. (CoI), McCulley, R. (CoI), McLeod, K. (CoI), Moe, L. (CoI), Page, A. (CoI), Pearce, R. (CoI), Schendel, R. (CoI), Urschel, K. (CoI), Vanzant, E. (CoI), Villanueva, R. (CoI) & Xiong, Y. (CoI)
8/1/21 → 7/31/26
Project: Research project
The Effect of Intra-Articular Triamcinolone and Pro-Stride APS on Metabolic Parameters in Horses
Page, A. (PI), Adam, E. (CoI) & Adams, A. (CoI)
2/1/23 → 3/31/24
Project: Research project
The Effects of Oral Sirolimus on Insulin Dynamics in Horses with Naturally-occurring ID
Adams, A. (PI)
4/1/23 → 4/1/23
Project: Research project
Improving the Health and Well-being of Senior Horses
Adams, A. (PI)
12/2/22 → 12/31/27
Project: Research project
Preliminary Study To Characterize Temporal Variations In Clinical And Radiographic Changes In Horses With Insulin Dysregulation
Adams, A. (PI)
10/3/22 → 10/2/24
Project: Research project
Optimization and Validation Testing of a POC test for Equine Insulin
Adams, A. (PI)
Antech Diagnostics Incorporated
3/31/22 → 12/31/24
Project: Research project
Mars Equestrian Scholar Research on Equine Endocrine Disorders of Pituitary Pars Intermedia ("PPID"), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)/Obesity/Laminitis and Geriatric Horse Healthcare/Nutritional Management
Adams, A. (PI) & Horohov, D. (Former CoI)
12/10/19 → 12/31/25
Project: Research project
Larvicidal Versus Non-Larvicidal Treatment of Cyathostomin Parasites: Immunologic and Histologic Reactions to Macrocyclic Lactone Treatment
Nielsen, M. (PI) & Adams, A. (CoI)
7/1/19 → 6/30/21
Project: Research project
The Role of Moxidectin in Worm Expulsion
Nielsen, M. (PI) & Adams, A. (CoI)
8/1/18 → 12/31/18
Project: Research project
To Determine the Effects of Diamond V XPC Supplementation on Immune Function in Senior Horses
Adams, A. (PI) & Nielsen, M. (CoI)
7/1/18 → 7/31/19
Project: Research project
Effects of Dietary Industrial Hempseed Products (IHP) on Equine Health
Adams, A. (PI)
7/1/18 → 10/1/22
Project: Research project
Effects of Pergolide Treatment on Metabolic and Immunological Function in Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)
Adams, A. (PI)
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
10/1/17 → 1/1/19
Project: Research project
Effect of Deodorase 2X Supplementation on Joint Health and Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Older Horses
Adams, A. (PI)
2/26/18 → 7/25/18
Project: Research project
To Determine the Effects of Probiotic Supplementation (EquiBrew) on Immune, Metabolic and Microbiome Changes in Senior Horses
Adams, A. (PI)
8/29/17 → 8/28/18
Project: Research project
Effect of yeast cell wall (ActigenTM) supplementation on metabolic, inflammatory, and microbiota changes in EMS vs control horses
Adams, A. (PI)
5/1/16 → 5/1/17
Project: Research project
Effect of Alltech Algae derived FA supplementation on inflammation and metaoblic parameters of the EMS horse.
Adams, A. (PI)
5/1/14 → 5/31/17
Project: Research project
Student Sponsorship by Alltech for Sarah Elzinga
Adams, A. (PI)
1/15/14 → 8/1/17
Project: Research project
Associated Departments