Douglas Novick, DVM Veterinary Care for Horses

Douglas Novick, DVM Veterinary Care for Horses Dr. Douglas Novick is a veterinarian in the San Francisco Bay Area who limits his practice to the treatment of horses. .

Dr. Douglas Novick provides mobile veterinary care, emergency care and pre-purchase examinations for horses throughout Silicon Valley and surrounding areas including south Santa Clara county, the Peninsula and the East Bay. His special interests are equine sports medicine, equine dentistry and equine reproduction. Dr. Novick’s patients range from back yard pets to highly competitive show horses, endurance horses and western performance and reining horses. He also will treat goats and sheep and vaccinate horse owner’s dogs and cats as well. In addition he as consulted as an equine legal expert in matters related to equine veterinary care and horsemanship. An experienced horseman of over 40 years, Dr. Novick now competes as an amateur in the jumper divisions. As a competitor he earned multiple honors including Year-end Amateur Owner Champion of the Northern California Hunter Jumper Association in 2006 and 2015. He is also a two time division champion of High Junior/ Amateur Owner Jumpers at the Menlo Charity Horse Show . He has treated horses in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1988. Prior to that time he treated racehorses and performance horses while on staff at the New Jersey Equine Clinic, a six-veterinarian racetrack and surgical referral practice. Dr. Novick is a graduate of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina where he was graduated with honors, Phi Beta Kappa and summa cm laude. Dr. Novick is a columnist, writing articles in newsletters related to horse care for the Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association, the San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association, and the California Gymkanna Association. His articles have also appeared in the California Horse Review, and the American Endurance Rider’s national magazine, Endurance News. He has served as an expert on equine sports medicine for the San Jose Mercury News and KNBR radio. Dr. Novick has been featured for his work, in preventing horse theft by implanting Identification Microchips, in numerous publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News, Horse Illustrated, Horse Show Magazine and the Quarter Horse Journal. His primary practice area includes Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda Counties.

Loose teeth are a common issue in older horses. A horse’s tooth begins around 3–4 inches long and gradually erupts from ...
03/13/2026

Loose teeth are a common issue in older horses. A horse’s tooth begins around 3–4 inches long and gradually erupts from the gum over time. As the horse chews, the tooth wears down slowly.

By the time the tooth is fully erupted—usually between ages 20–30, depending on the horse and individual tooth—it may start to loosen.

Many horses—whether due to competition demands or natural aging—benefit from joint medications to stay comfortable and p...
03/11/2026

Many horses—whether due to competition demands or natural aging—benefit from joint medications to stay comfortable and perform at their best. When a specific joint is affected, direct joint injections are often the most effective option.

Read more on the topic here: https://bit.ly/4tl3b7u

As breeding season approaches, understanding the mare’s heat (estrus) cycle is key to successful breeding. Horses are se...
03/09/2026

As breeding season approaches, understanding the mare’s heat (estrus) cycle is key to successful breeding.

Horses are seasonally polyestrous, meaning mares cycle during a specific breeding season and do not cycle in winter. As daylight increases in February and March, mares begin cycling irregularly, with regular heat cycles typically established by late April and continuing through October. (https://bit.ly/4tee2Qr)

The lameness exam is a process of elimination. Beginning with an overall assessment of the horse, the examination narrow...
03/08/2026

The lameness exam is a process of elimination. Beginning with an overall assessment of the horse, the examination narrows progressively until the source of pain is located.

Dr. Novick brings over three decades of expertise in sports medicine and lameness, treating patients while remaining an active competitor himself.

Another glimpse of Dr. Novick in action, practicing with his horse, Lizzy.
03/06/2026

Another glimpse of Dr. Novick in action, practicing with his horse, Lizzy.

What do horses see? Vision is a complex process that involves both the eye’s ability to focus and detect light of varyin...
03/04/2026

What do horses see? Vision is a complex process that involves both the eye’s ability to focus and detect light of varying intensities, and the brain’s interpretation of those visual signals. Because a horse’s food is stationary and easy to locate, its visual system did not evolve for precision hunting. Instead, as a prey animal, the horse’s vision is largely defensive—designed to detect movement and potential threats quickly in order to ensure survival.

Dr. Novick provides veterinary and emergency care for horses throughout Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas, includ...
03/02/2026

Dr. Novick provides veterinary and emergency care for horses throughout Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas, including South Santa Clara County, the Peninsula, and the East Bay.

Communities we serve include San Jose, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Fremont, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, Union City, Watsonville, and more.

Compassionate, reliable care for your horse—wherever you are in the region.

If you’ve had a recent experience with Dr. Novick, we’d love to hear about it. Your feedback is appreciated—consider lea...
03/01/2026

If you’ve had a recent experience with Dr. Novick, we’d love to hear about it. Your feedback is appreciated—consider leaving a review on Google.

Dr. Novick recently traded in his barn boots for a day on the water, spending time observing otters, sea lions, and coas...
02/27/2026

Dr. Novick recently traded in his barn boots for a day on the water, spending time observing otters, sea lions, and coastal birds during a visit to Elkhorn Slough.

New to Dr. Novick’s practice? Enjoy $40 off equine services such as dental floats and exams. This offer is valid for new...
02/25/2026

New to Dr. Novick’s practice? Enjoy $40 off equine services such as dental floats and exams. This offer is valid for new clients only and applies to visits with standard fees of $50 or more.

A few behind-the-scenes moments of Dr. Novick training with his horse.
02/23/2026

A few behind-the-scenes moments of Dr. Novick training with his horse.

Dr. Novick attended the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) this week, continuing his commitment to staying current with...
02/22/2026

Dr. Novick attended the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) this week, continuing his commitment to staying current with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine.

Between informative lectures, engaging educational sessions, and time in the exhibitor hall — complete with a puppy and kitten relaxation room — it was a great week!

Address

PO Box 10190
San Jose, CA
95157

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