Veterinarian Dr. W. Thomas Riddle Dies at 74 in Kentucky
The co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and the first to report the 2001 mare abortion outbreak has passed away at age 74.
Key points
- Dr. W. Thomas Riddle, co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, died at age 74 on Sept. 20 in Versailles, Ky.
- He was the first veterinarian to report the 2001 Mare Reproduction Loss Syndrome abortion outbreak.
- Riddle served as a commissioner for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and founded Hats Off to Kentucky’s Horse Industry Day.
Dr. W. Thomas Riddle died Sept. 20 at his home in Versailles, Ky. He was 74. The co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital spent decades shaping the field of horse reproduction medicine.
Born in Greenville, S.C., to a veterinarian, he attended Wake Forest University. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Georgia in 1978. His path led him to Kentucky, where he built a legacy.
Building a Veterinary Legacy
Riddle interned at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington. He met his wife, Margaret Alexander Riddle, there in the late 1970s. They married in 1981. Their partnership mirrored his professional ambition.
In 1982, he joined Dr. Bill Rood in an ambulatory practice. Together, they formed Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. By 1985, they broke ground for a new facility on Georgetown Road. The hospital became world-renowned.
He served as president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners. He also led the Society for Theriogenology. This branch of veterinary medicine focuses on animal reproduction. His influence extended to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
First to Report the Outbreak
In 2001, Riddle identified a severe abortion outbreak in mares. He was the first to report it. The condition is known as Mare Reproduction Loss Syndrome. His quick action helped define the crisis.
His clinical expertise included uterine culture and fetal sexing. He pioneered diagnostic ultrasound for the mare’s reproductive tract. These tools remain vital in modern equine care. BloodHorse reported his passing and professional impact.
A Life Centered on Horses
Riddle called himself a "horse nut." He founded Hats Off to Kentucky’s Horse Industry Day. This event celebrates the state’s equine heritage. He served as a commissioner for the racing commission in 2023.
He retired from his busy breeding farm practice recently. He also stepped down as marketing director for Rood & Riddle. His family describes him as steady and humble. He loved riding with Margaret and visiting the South Carolina beach.
