Our History

Ranch and Coast Equine Practice started with Dr. Richard Markell’s dream of having his own practice.  After graduating in 1985 from the University of Missouri, Dr. Markell came home to California and joined a large Equine Practice in Temecula.  After a year and a half in general practice and the senior partners dissolving the practice, a new home needed to be found. After multiple offers on the East coast, Dr. Markell decided to start his own practice in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Sports medicine for horses was in its infancy and therapeutic options for injuries to the equine athlete was far behind the science of human medicine counterparts.  Through personal and professional friendships with specialized equine veterinarians throughout the world, a collaboration of minds, experience and technology developed many of the current theories in treatment and diagnosis of equine sports injuries.  Today’s computer technology has advanced equine medicine into the future.  Dr. Markell is very involved with the art of diagnostic imaging and is considered by many leading Olympic competitors throughout the world to be an expert in equine sports medicine. 

Dr. Markell has been and is the attending veterinarian to many equine celebrities.  He has been the official veterinarian for three World Cup Show jumping Finals, three Olympic Show jumping Selection Finals, World Cup Dressage Finals, World Championships and many international competitions.  He frequently travels internationally attending his patient’s care and purchase consultations.