Lexington, KY - When more than 800 equine athletes arrive at the Kentucky Horse Park from all over the world for the FEI World Equestrian Games, their handlers will pay close attention to how well they have endured the stress of travel and are settling in to their new surroundings. These horsemen and their equine charges will have access to one of the most extensive arrays of advanced veterinary services available at a competition.

In addition to providing 24-hour on-site veterinary clinic care ranging from basic medical treatment to high-level diagnostics, the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital (www.roodandriddle.com), less than six miles away, will be staffed and ready to address any emergency or injury in need of specialized medical care.

As the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood & Riddle will work closely with Dr. Kent Allen, the official veterinary coordinator of the Games. Rood & Riddle partner Dr. Chris Newton, DVM, an avid equestrian and eventing competitor, heads the Rood & Riddle team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians assembled to provide medical support to the Games.

During the Games, a minimum of six Rood & Riddle veterinarians with numerous veterinary technician assistants will be onsite daily, including board certified surgeons, internal medicine specialists and equine podiatrists. During the more taxing competitions, such as Eventing Cross-Country, Endurance and the Driving Marathon, the veterinary staff will increase with additional support from the Rood & Riddle medicine and surgery specialists at the on-site veterinary clinic. In addition, two Rood & Riddle veterinarians will be on duty in the barns at all times during competition plus one veterinarian on duty overnight.

Along with the Rood & Riddle veterinarians on duty at the Games, every National Federation will send a minimum of one team veterinarian. The FEI, the governing body of equestrian sport, will also have veterinarians in attendance. The FEI veterinarians’ primary function is to ensure that all rules are being followed, allowable medications are administered correctly and the horse’s welfare is placed above the competition. Rood & Riddle veterinarians will work closely with the team and FEI veterinarians to provide assistance and support needed for the equine athletes of the Games.

“The types of injuries and medical conditions in equestrian sport are discipline-specific,” explains Dr. Newton. “Jumpers, Endurance, Dressage and Event horses all have different stresses and strains on their anatomy that would dispose them to particular injuries.” Medical considerations are given to every discipline with Rood & Riddle veterinarians who are experts in treating the most common concerns of each discipline.

“I feel the veterinary staff gathered for this World Equestrian Games will be one of the largest and most qualified for an equine competition. I only hope we won't be needed,” added Newton.

State-of-the-art equine veterinary facilities just six miles away
In addition to the on-site veterinary coverage, the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, stands equipped with state-of-the-art surgery, internal medicine, intensive and critical care units, advanced diagnostics, and a high-tech podiatry center. The hospital is known and respected throughout the world for its innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses using an arsenal of medical technologies including digital radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, MRI, and stem cell therapy. The facility is staffed by highly skilled and experienced equine veterinarians and technicians, with 24-hour hospital and emergency coverage. Many of the medical applications used in human healthcare and sports medicine are available to horses at the 24-acre facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

Amazing, interactive public education at the event
In addition to providing veterinary support for competition horses, Rood & Riddle’s plans include a large exhibition pavilion to showcase the practice and educate the public about equine veterinary medicine. The pavilion will provide an educational experience for young and old with multiple interactive stations and video displays covering the latest veterinary technology including diagnostic imaging, equine medicine and surgery, and stem cell therapy.

Rood & Riddle is also hosting tours at the hospital, Monday through Friday, at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Tours are by reservation only and booked at www.HorseCapitalTours.com. Tickets are $12.95 per person (ticket required for children aged 5 and up; strollers not permitted) with $5 from every ticket purchase going to the Kentucky Equine Humane Center and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation.