A pair of veterinarian-led organizations, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Equine Care Group, announce Sept. 9 a strategic partnership to advance equine medicine worldwide.
The long-term strategic partnership will expand collaboration, research, education, and clinical excellence while preserving local identity, leadership and clinical autonomy.
The strategic partnership brings together two internationally recognized leaders in equine healthcare. Rood & Riddle is internationally recognized for advanced equine care through its hospitals in Kentucky, Florida, and New York. ECG is an international network connecting equine hospitals, ambulatory practices, and equine health specialists across Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Founded in 1986 in Lexington, Rood & Riddle's expertise spans surgery, internal medicine, advanced dentistry and oral surgery, diagnostic imaging, sports medicine, reproduction, podiatry, laboratory services, pharmacy, and ambulatory care. Founded in Belgium in 2021, Equine Care Group is an international network connecting equine hospitals, ambulatory practices, diagnostic centers, laboratories, fertility centers, research and education programs, nutrition specialists, and other equine health experts.
In a release, Rood & Riddle said that central to the partnership is a shared belief that the advancement of equine medicine should remain veterinarian-led. Veterinarians founded ECG, which operates through a partnership model that lets hospitals and practices maintain their identity, culture, and local veterinary leadership while gaining access to a broader international network.
By connecting clinical teams across North America and Europe, the partnership will create additional opportunities for veterinarians to exchange knowledge, collaborate on complex cases, advance research, and expand educational initiatives. ECG's network also includes expertise in fertility, diagnostics, equine nutrition, research and education, providing opportunities for collaboration across the continuum of equine health.
For Rood & Riddle's patients, clients and referring veterinarians, the partnership expands access to international expertise without changing the foundation of care they know and trust. Rood & Riddle will continue to operate under its established leadership with its current veterinarians and clinical teams. Its name, culture, clinical standards and local relationships will remain central to the organization.
The partnership is expected to support:
- Clinical collaboration and knowledge sharing across specialties and geographic regions
- Expanded veterinary education, mentorship and professional development
- Research and scientific innovation focused on improving equine health and outcomes
- International consultation and collaboration on complex cases
- Greater collaboration across medicine, fertility, diagnostics, nutrition, prevention and rehabilitation
"This partnership allows Rood & Riddle to expand our global collaboration while preserving what has defined us for decades," said Dr. Deborah Spike-Pierce, president and CEO of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. "Our leadership, culture, and approach to medicine remain unchanged, while our veterinarians gain new opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and access expertise around the world."
Equitom and Equine Care Group founder Dr. Tom Mariën is well-acquainted with Rood & Riddle.
"My connection to Rood & Riddle began nearly 30 years ago when I observed there as a young surgeon," Mariën said. "Bringing our organizations together connects decades of complementary clinical experience and creates new opportunities to advance equine medicine through shared knowledge, research, and innovation."
As the partnership develops, Rood & Riddle and ECG will continue identifying opportunities to collaborate in clinical care, research, education, innovation and professional development.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
