“The veterinary world stopped today,” said Joe Carter DVM, of Oklahoma Veterinary Hospital,” when told that Santa Ynez-based equine specialist Dr. Van Snow had been killed in a plane crash on April 8. Snow, 58, was a leader in the treatment and rehabilitation of performance horses of all disciplines and a pioneer in the use of shock wave therapy and equine embryonic stem cells to treat injuries in horses that until recently had been considered career-ending.
A graduate of the University of California at Davis, Snow worked with Dr. Doug Herthel at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Clinic, Los Olivos, CA, before founding Santa Lucia Clinic, where horsemen and horsewomen from across the nation bring their valuable equine performers for diagnosis and treatment. Snow sas also the lead investigator for Celavet, a leader in equine stem cell treatment and reserach.
“It is a great loss to the equine community as well as his family,” said Dr. Wayne McIlwraith of Colorado State University’s Orthopaedic Research Center, who worked with Snow as a surgical consultant for over 20 years. “Van combined being an excellent clinician with a drive and intellect to find better methods.”
“Van understood horse physiology so well because he was a true horseman and had competed in a variety of events, including roping, cutting , Grand Prix jumping, polo and reining,” said Hall of Fame cutting horse trainer Lindy Burch, who credits Snow with saving world champion Bet Yer Blue Boon’s career, when other veterinarians were unable to diagnose her symptoms. “He made me a better horseman every time I was around him.”
“He was unparalleled as a veterinarian and as a mentor,” said Dr. Ian Campbell, who along with Dr. Andres Macouzet; equine therapist Lindsey Creed, and new member Dr.Mette Christianson makes up the Santa Lucia team. The equine specialists have a combined 20 years of experience working with Snow and implementing his unique combination of diagnosis, treatment, and therapeutic techniques.
“Van had confidence in Ian, Andres and Lindsey and they freed him up to do other things that he enjoyed,” said Burch. “They learned so much from working with him 24/7 and I know that he would expect them to carry on for him.
“He always did right by the horse and it’s comforting to know his clinic will continue to provide the same service and expertise.”
A Celebration of Life gathering in honor of Van is planned for April 18, at 2 pm at The Santa Lucia Clinic, 1924 West Hwy 154, Santa Ynez, CA 93460. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Van’s honor to the Snow Family Scholarship Trust Fund at the Santa Lucia Clinic address.