Is your horse ready to perform? World-class sports medicine services are right here in Virginia

gustavo-zanotto-miles-kristen-parris-indoor-arena — (From left) Gustavo Zanotto, Miles, and his owner Kristen Parris. Photo by Andrew Mann for Virginia Tech.

Every spring, the competition season in Virginia gets underway! Horses return from Florida, schedules fill up, and the pressure is on — both for horses and the people who care for them. Whether you're preparing for your first show of the season or managing a horse with a nagging performance issue, now is the time to make sure they're at their absolute best.

Meet Gustavo Zanotto, MV, MS, Phd, dacvsmr

Gustavo Zanotto, clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine and lameness, standing in the Youngkin Equine Soundness Clinic, which is part of the Sports Medicine Complex at the Equine Medical Center. Photo by Sharon Peart for Virginia Tech.

Gustavo Zanotto joined the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center team in 2024 as a clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine and lameness. He is a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR).

Zanotto earned his DVM from Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil, in 2007, after which he completed a residency in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. He then served as a clinical assistant professor of equine sports medicine and imaging at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Originally from Curitiba, Brazil, Zanotto brings a truly international perspective to equine sports medicine after building his distinguished career focused on athletic performance, lameness, and rehabilitation. His background, combined with his passion for the performance horse, makes him uniquely equipped to help your horse reach — and maintain — peak condition.

A team built around your horse's performance

At the Equine Medical Center, Zanotto works alongside a fully integrated team of specialists in surgery, internal medicine, and farriery. This collaborative approach means that even the most complex lameness and performance challenges are evaluated and managed from every angle — not just one.

What sets us apart:

Advanced onsite imaging — Digital radiography, computed tomography (CT), digital ultrasound, MRI, and nuclear scintigraphy, all under one roof. Faster, more precise diagnoses without the stress of multiple referrals.
Therapeutic Farriery — Farriers from Goodness Farrier Associates, LLC work hand-in-hand with our veterinary team, allowing direct, real-time collaboration on even the most complicated podiatry cases.
Orthobiologic Therapies — For horses that need more than traditional treatment, we offer tailored regenerative options to support healing and recovery.
Objective Gait Analysis — We go beyond the trained eye. Cutting-edge gait analysis technology gives us measurable, data-driven insights into how your horse moves.
21,000 Sq. Ft. Indoor Arena — The ideal controlled environment with three different evaluation surfaces to observe your horse in hand, on the lunge line, under saddle, or over fences — regardless of the weather or season.

your partner throughout the process

We understand that sending your horse to a specialist can feel like a big step. That's why we're committed to clear, consistent communication before, during, and after your horse arrives to the moment they return to your care. You'll never be left wondering — we keep you informed at every stage of the process.

Dr. Zanotto is available to discuss diagnostics, imaging, and treatment options as well as rehabilitation plans. Your horse's performance matters to us just as much as it matters to you. We'd love to be part of their competitive season.