Rood and Riddle’s future facility in Saratoga
Rood and Riddle to Acquire Saratoga Equine
(Press Release)—The shareholders of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky and Dr. Bill and Diana Barnes of Saratoga Springs New York are pleased to announce that Rood and Riddle will purchase Saratoga Equine Veterinary Service in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
“This is an exciting and unique opportunity for our practice and we look forward to providing outstanding care to the horses in New York and surrounding areas” says Bill Rood, veterinarian and CEO/President of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Saratoga Equine will operate as a division of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
Saratoga Equine Veterinary Service was founded in 1996 and the surgical and diagnostic center opened in August of 2000. Since that time SEVS has provided emergency and ambulatory care as well as support to a large number of referring veterinarians.
Inside the OR at Rood and Riddle in Kentucky
“The procurement of SEVS by Rood and Riddle will ensure a continuation and expansion of the level of excellence already established by Saratoga Equine,” says Dr. Bill Barnes.
Though the final details of the operation of Saratoga Equine remain to be determined, Saratoga Equine will build on the strengths of the combined staff of both practices, moving forward with an emphasis on lameness exams and advanced imaging such as nuclear scintigraphy, orthopedic and upper airway surgery of the equine athlete, and therapeutic and corrective podiatry for racehorses and sport horses which form the core of the hospital operation in Lexington.
The hospital in Saratoga will expand the presence Rood and Riddle established in New York last year when Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, veterinarian and shareholder in Rood and Riddle, began providing ambulatory veterinary services to our New York clients. The strength of N.Y. racing and the increasing number of our clients opening N.Y. divisions of their operations and the expansion of training in the Saratoga area makes this a logical move for Rood and Riddle to provide the services and leverage their expertise that has been the backbone of the Lexington operation. Dr. Barnes will continue to practice in the Saratoga Springs area as an independent practitioner.
Metro Meteor: ex-racehorse turned celebrity artist
Metro Fund Established at New Vocations Pennsylvania Facility
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced this week that a fund has been created in the name of one of the organizations biggest stars, Metro Meteor.
Metro, who was adopted from New Vocations by Ron Krajewski, has gained national and international celebrity after his owner taught him to paint with a brush and easel.
His artwork, which resembles post-modern abstractions, has become so highly sought by his growing fan base that a one-year waiting list has been created. And as the works are sold, 50 percent of proceeds is donated to New Vocations.
To date, more than $15,000 has been raised for New Vocations, and that figure is expected to double by the end of the year, according to a press release. For this reason, a fund named for Metro Meteor was established.
“Metro and Ron Krajewski have created a unique fundraising opportunity that not only raises funds but also raises awareness to what theses amazing athletes can do once they leave the racetrack,” says Anna Ford New Vocations Program Director.
“We are very grateful for the support and look forward to being able to provide our services to more horses through the help of the new Metro Fund.”
The fund is expected to sponsor two stalls at the Pennsylvanian facility, and directly benefit 10 retired racehorses.
“We are pleased and excited about the establishment of the Metro Fund,” Krajewski says. “I am very much looking forward to following closely, the transitioning and new lives of the retired racehorses that will directly benefit from the fund.”
To learn more about the Metro Fund and/or how to support New Vocations aftercare efforts please visit www.newvocations.org
