Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Equine Care Group (ECG) have announced a long-term strategic partnership bringing together two internationally recognized leaders in equine health care. The partnership will create new opportunities for clinical collaboration, veterinary education, research, and innovation while preserving Rood & Riddle’s identity, leadership, culture, and clinical autonomy.
Rood & Riddle is internationally recognized for advanced equine care through its hospitals in Kentucky, Florida, and New York. ECG is an international veterinarian-led network connecting equine hospitals, ambulatory practices, and equine health specialists across Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Central to the partnership is a shared belief that the advancement of equine medicine should remain veterinarian-led. ECG was founded by veterinarians and operates through a partnership model that allows hospitals and practices to 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.”
“My connection to Rood & Riddle began nearly 30 years ago when I observed there as a young surgeon,” said Dr. Tom Mariën, Founder of Equitom and Equine Care Group. “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.
For additional information about the partnership, including answers to frequently asked questions about what it means for Rood & Riddle’s patients, clients, and equine community, visit roodandriddle.com/ecg.
The partnership remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, definitive legal documentation and standard closing conditions.
About Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Founded in 1986 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Dr. Bill Rood and Dr. Tom Riddle, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is an internationally recognized equine veterinary organization with hospitals in Kentucky, New York, and Florida. Its expertise spans surgery, internal medicine, advanced dentistry and oral surgery, diagnostic imaging, sports medicine, reproduction, podiatry, laboratory services, pharmacy, and ambulatory care.
About Equine Care Group
Founded in Belgium in 2021, Equine Care Group is an international veterinarian-led network connecting equine hospitals, ambulatory practices, diagnostic centers, laboratories, fertility centers, research and education programs, nutrition specialists, and other equine health experts. Its model is built around collaboration, clinical autonomy, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
