Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, based in the United States, and Equine Care Group, based in Belgium, this week announced a long-term strategic partnership. The organizations said the partnership will create opportunities for clinical collaboration, veterinary education, research, and innovation while preserving Rood & Riddle’s identity, leadership, culture, and clinical autonomy.

Rood & Riddle operates equine hospitals in Kentucky, Florida, and New York. Equine Care Group is a veterinarian-led network of equine hospitals, ambulatory practices, and equine health specialists across Europe, the U.S., and other regions.

The organizations said veterinary leadership will remain central to the partnership. Equine Care Group was founded by veterinarians and operates through a partnership model in which participating hospitals and practices retain their identities, cultures, and local leadership.

The partnership connects clinical teams in North America and Europe for knowledge-sharing, collaboration on complex cases, research, and education. Equine Care Group’s network also includes expertise in fertility, diagnostics, equine nutrition, research, and education.

Rood & Riddle will continue operating under its established leadership and with its current veterinarians and clinical teams, according to the announcement.

“This partnership allows Rood & Riddle to expand our global collaboration while preserving what has defined us for decades,” said Deborah Spike-Pierce, DVM, MBA, 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 Tom Mariën, DVM, 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.”

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.