The Equine Research Hall of Fame — J. Harold Drudge

Dr. J. Harold Drudge was internationally recognized and respected as the world’s foremost authority on internal parasites in horses. He was chairman of the University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science from 1963 to 1973.

Inducted December 1990.

The leadership demonstrated by Dr. J. Harold Drudge in developing parasite control methods and programs for the Kentucky horse industry - and that of the world - was legendary. He was the first to recognize and then demonstrate that internal parasites can develop resistance to anthelmintic drugs. Further, through his gifted writing and lectures, he implemented anthelmintic testing on a large scale; his systems for evaluating the effectiveness of these drugs set the standard for other researchers throughout the world.

Dr. Drudge was born in Bremen, Indiana, in 1922. He received his D.V.M. degree from Michigan State University in 1943 (magna cum laude, Phi Kappa Phi), and his Sc.D. in 1950 from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene. Dr. Drudge began his career with the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps (1943-46). He was an American Veterinary Medical Association Research Fellow from 1947 to 1950, when he assumed an appointment in parasitology at Mississippi State College in Starkville. The following year, he joined the University of Kentucky Department of Veterinary Science as a parasitologist and professor. Dr. Drudge was chairman of the department from 1963 through 1973.

Dr. Drudge was a true pioneer in the field of veterinary helminthology. In addition to being the first to demonstrate a parasite’s resistance to drugs, he developed an animal-model system for studying the pathology, life cycle and immunology of equine parasites; and his treatment of equine parasites has been highly innovative. Dr. Drudge also was recognized as an outstanding researcher on internal parasites in sheep and cattle. He was the author or co-author of more than 200 publications.

In 1988, Dr. Drudge received the Baxter Healthcare Equine Research Award, given to “investigators who have made substantial contributions to furthering equine health.” He also received the 1971 Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service Award, as well as several other awards. Among his many professional memberships were the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (vice president), American Society of Parasitologists, World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology, Helminthological Society of Washington, and the Thoroughbred Club of America.