March 1, 2007 - The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the world's largest professional association of equine veterinarians, is pleased to announce the addition of the U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) to its Alliance Partner Program. Through this alliance the two organizations will educate horse owners about quality equine health care.

"The USDF and the AAEP are committed to the advancement and education of their respective memberships for the benefit of the horse," said Douglas G. Corey, DVM, AAEP president. "Because many AAEP members are involved in the hands-on care of dressage horses, our partnership with the USDF is a natural extension of the veterinary care that is already provided on an individual basis."

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation, headquartered at the Kentucky Horse Park, has more than 33,000 members and 129 nationwide affiliate organizations. USDF was established for the purpose of promoting and encouraging a high standard of accomplishment in dressage throughout the United States, primarily through educational programs.

The partnership will focus on the presentation of equine health information to USDF members through their own magazine, USDF Connection, their Web site www.usdf.org, as well as through veterinary speakers at the Adequan/USDF National Convention and Symposium.

The USDF joins the American Quarter Horse Association, U.S. Equestrian Federation, Inc., Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the Arabian Horse Association as AAEP Alliance Partners.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.