Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics - Menlo Park

08/27/2026

With today's shortage of qualified equine veterinarians, we must continue to encourage gifted students to pursue careers in equine practice and equip them with practical information for launching successful careers.

The Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS) is the leading student forum in equine veterinary medicine, with over 4,100 students attending since its founding by Dr. Bill Rood and the Rood & Riddle Foundation in 2003. The seminar’s career management format offers practice and financial management information for the student and opportunities for practitioners to establish long-term mentoring relationships with the approximately 300 veterinary students attending.

Through OEPS sponsorships, travel and hotel funding are provided for third-year veterinary students to attend the meeting, where they receive information about various avenues and disciplines of equine practice, financial remuneration, employment, practice ownership, and marketing. Students gain valuable information through face-to-face encounters in the Practice Exhibit Hall and presentations from practitioners, financial advisors, and practice management consultants.

Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics Drs. Zoe Davidson and Courtney Griffin will be meeting with veterinary students at this year’s event in Lexington, KY, September 4th to 6th.

08/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/norcalaep/posts/pfbid0XXo3c9mH4xZwJZT6uBoo94ihzcPpcGcd6i3FyrUMq2MzznFsT8neT1bnMqW96cTdl

08/23/2026

💡When horses are such a big part of who we are — how do we make sure they aren’t all of who we are? It’s a question worth sitting with. 🤔

Join Equestrians for Mental Health Awareness (EMHA) at the Horse Park at Woodside on Tuesday, August 25th at 4:30 PM for a conversation on identity, balance, and what it means to have a healthy relationship with horses at every level of the sport, led by Dr. Emily Livermore, Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

Learn more and sign up here: https://sites.google.com/view/equ-mental-health

08/15/2026

Here's some homework your horse kids won't complain about (unless you don't share it with them and keep it for yourself)!

Download our Kids Coloring/Activity Page at: https://bit.ly/SteinbeckEquine_Kids
(Note that URL is case sensitive -- and depending on which browser you are using, you may need to click on a "Continue to destination" button on a Bit.ly screen)

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08/04/2026

Do you know your horse’s baseline? 🤔

Knowing what’s normal for your horse’s vital signs is one of the best tools you have for spotting early signs of distress or illness!

Practicing taking your horse’s TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration) regularly helps you know their personal baseline so you can quickly spot when something is off. If your horse seems unusually dull or anxious and their numbers fall outside these typical ranges, it’s time to call your equine veterinarian:

🌡️ Temperature: 99.0°F – 101.5°F
❤️ Heart Rate: 28 – 40 beats/min
😮‍💨 Respiration Rate: 12 – 16 breaths/min

Note: Hot weather and high humidity can cause minor shifts in these numbers. Chat with your veterinarian about what’s normal for your specific horse and environmental conditions, and ask them to double-check your technique at your next visit!

💡 Special thanks to the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee for sharing these essential health guidelines.

08/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/AAEPHorseDocs/posts/pfbid0bFaeyZvvLc6EFfUVnQ2CYp7hm8ztsMXQYfAbGiMhdDWEQJbsZwWBTjF2mEW1QyDbl

US Equestrian has announced two medication rule changes:
➡️Effective immediately, cetirizine (commonly known by the brand name of the human product Zyrtec) will become a permitted substance and may be used in competition.
➡️Guidance on methocarbamol has been revised and there are now two recommended withdrawal timeframes for the drug in competition; the recommended dose for methocarbamol will remain the same.

More information including the two withdrawal timeframes for methodcarbamol can be found on the USEF website: https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-releases-new-guidance-for

08/03/2026

Please welcome Dr. Brooke Spieker to Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics Salinas Internship program!

Brooke hails from Lewes, Delaware, “a super small town where the farmland meets the sea.” Growing up, she spent equal time at the beach and the barn, known as one of the “barn rats” at the local stable. Brooke participated in Pony Club and evented her Appendix mare, Lilly. Her first job was as a camp counselor at a horseback riding summer camp.

Equine medicine combines Brooke’s love of learning and problem solving with her passion for horses and the people who care for them. She appreciates getting to spend her days outside, meet new people, and continue to learn about horses. During her 2025-2026 Internship at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic in Menlo Park, Brooke was excited to focus on equine General Practice and Sports Medicine, in order to increase her confidence in the basics. During her Menlo Park Internship, Brooke’s passion for equine General Practice grew. She decided to continue her SPEC Internship in 2026-2027, moving to the Salinas clinic to take advantage of the opportunity to work with the veterinarians there and gain even more experience with surgical, medicine, and neonatal cases, which would further enhance her capabilities as a general practitioner in cases when animals are not able to be transferred to the hospital.

Brooke has a senior dog named Huckleberry and a mischievous young cat named Robert. (Brooke has fostered over 65 animals, and Robert has been her one and only “foster fail” — so far). Brooke's partner Guillermo, Huckleberry, and Robert have moved with Brooke from the SF Peninsula to Salinas, so she can focus on her Internship there. While she misses having a horse of her own, for now Brooke really enjoys dedicating her time to helping others have the happiest and healthiest equine partners.

07/30/2026

Primitive horse boots—designed to protect hooves—were first invented around 400 BCE, using woven plants, leather, and rawhide. The ancient Romans later developed a removable metal version called the “hipposandal.” Horse boot have come a long way ...

Check out this guide from “The Horse” on whether hoof boots are the right choice for your horse at: https://bit.ly/4h9PS6d

07/26/2026

Emanuel "Manny" Soto was born and raised in Salinas, California. With two brothers and one sister, he is the youngest in his family. While working at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic in Salinas, Manny is attending Hartnell College, where he is pursuing a degree in Agriculture. He decided to work at SPEC because of his strong interest in horses. Having spent time around them for several years, he has gained valuable experience working with them. When not studying or working, Manny’s favorite activities include off-roading and spending time at the lake.

07/24/2026

There are new features for riders participating in this year’s Day of the Horse Progressive Trail Ride: LUNCH and a day stall are included in the registration fee ... and there's lots more! Get all the details and register to ride at:
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https://whoa94062.org/trail-ride/
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The Woodside Day of the Horse annually celebrates the unique equestrian heritage of Woodside and the extraordinary contribution horses make to the quality of life throughout San Mateo County. Made possible by a public-private partnership of Woodside-area Horse Owners Association (WHOA!), The Town of Woodside and generous Sponsors and Volunteers. Learn more at: https://whoa94062.org/day-of-the-horse/