Douglas Novick, DVM Veterinary Care for Horses

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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, e

ndurance 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.

04/24/2026

Joint disease, ranging from inflammation (Synovitis) to degenerative changes such as Osteoarthritis, is perhaps the most common lameness issues affecting both performance and pleasure horses.

One of the most common first-line treatments is joint injections using a combination of Hyaluronic Acid with a low-dose corticosteroid. Many horses respond well to these injections, though not all will experience the same level of improvement.

Read more about this topic and treatment options here: https://bit.ly/4uxVpru

04/22/2026

With summer quickly approaching and the start of wildfire season in California, it’s important to think ahead about how to keep your horse safe during an emergency. One simple but powerful tool is an ID microchip.

If a horse becomes separated from its owner during an evacuation or wildfire, an ID microchip can help reunite them quickly. These tiny chips are placed just under the skin and contain a unique identification number that can be scanned by veterinarians, shelters, and animal control. Once scanned, the number links to your contact information in a national database.

04/20/2026

An experienced horseman for over 40 years, Dr. Novick currently competes as an amateur in the jumper divisions.

As a competitor, he has earned numerous 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 in the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers at the Menlo Charity Horse Show.

04/19/2026

Keeping your horse healthy is essential, and we’re making it a little easier to get started. New clients can save $40 off veterinary services, including dental floats, examinations, and other routine care.

This offer is valid for first-time clients on any visit with standard fees of $50 or more.

04/17/2026

Colic, cuts, sudden lameness, and illness can all require emergency treatment. When urgent situations arise, care outside of regular office hours is available from Dr. Novick to ensure your horse receives prompt attention when it matters most.

For emergency care, contact Dr. Novick at (408) 946-6888 or (650) 855-9626.

04/15/2026

Did you know? During a pre-purchase exam with Dr. Novick, a drug screen may be performed. This test helps detect medications that could mask signs of lameness or sedatives that might make a horse appear calmer than usual during the evaluation.

Drug screening is an important step in protecting buyers and ensuring transparency during the purchasing process.

04/13/2026

While no vaccine is currently approved to protect against the neurological form of EHV (Rhinopneumonitis), there is evidence that vaccination for Rhinopneumonitis can help protect your horse. Read more on the topic here: https://bit.ly/4aoqkOA

04/12/2026

Signs like pinned ears, bucking, or kicking at stall walls can quickly become a source of frustration for horse owners. Beyond annoyance, these behaviors can interfere with performance and take away from the enjoyment of your horse.

Read more about when medical management of the excitable horse may come into play — and how the right approach can support a safer, more focused, and more enjoyable partnership. (https://bit.ly/4rOpdOM)

04/10/2026

Horses are known as seasonally polyestrus, meaning they cycle during a specific breeding season and have a period of reproductive inactivity.

In the spring and summer, the average estrous cycle lasts about 21 days. Mares are “in” or “showing” heat for approximately 5 days of that cycle and are receptive to a stallion during this time. Ovulation usually occurs about 24 hours before the end of the heat period. If the egg is not fertilized, the mare will be out of heat for about 16 days before beginning the next cycle.

Understanding the timing of these cycles is key for successful breeding management and planning. (https://bit.ly/3NdQdIj)

04/08/2026

Keep your horse comfortable with routine dental care.

Floating—filing your horse’s teeth every 12–18 months—helps them chew efficiently and respond better to the bit. Regular dental care is essential for overall health and performance.

04/06/2026

Ulcers are a big issue among horses. For gastric (stomach) ulcers, research has shown that the incidence ranges from 30%-60% for non-racetrack performance horses, to 89% in racehorses.

Among the theories as to why stomach ulcers are so common in horses is that while their stomach secretes acid constantly to aid in digestion 24 hours/day, our stalled horse typically are only fed 2-3 times per day, so they eat only a few hours/day. What that means is that there a many hours per day where acid is being produced with no food to buffer the acid present.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from Dr. Novick! 🐇🌷

Address

PO Box 10190
San Jose, CA
95157

Telephone

+14089466888

Website

http://www.novickdvm.com/

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