Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics

WHOA (Woodside Area Horse Owners Association is now accepting applications from local high school seniors for the 2021 - $10,000 Equestrian Merit Award https://whoa94062.org/grants-awards/

A horse and a pony are safe tonight after a dramatic rescue. The horse and pony were found stuck in mud on Limekiln Road in Salinas, off of River Road. The area... experienced a debris flow last night that trapped the two equines. When the owners found the horses, they immediately flagged down passing fire departments and contacted us for help. We thank all the first responders who performed this amazing rescue, including Hayward Fire Department, Fremont Fire Department, Alameda Fire Department, Fresno Fire Department, Marina Fire Department, Monterey County Regional Fire District, Monterey County Public Works, and more. We also thank all the kind neighbors who responded with shovels and other tools to help. We immediately brought the horse and pony back to our shelter for care and treatment, and they are now with our friends at Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic for overnight care. To learn how you can prepare for a disaster, or to donate to help, please visit our website.

Update on Dr. Stephanie Hibbits’ feline patient

Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics’ own Dr. Stephanie Hibbits performing surgery on a BIG cat!

To Blanket or not to Blanket? Horses have a natural ability to withstand cold and wind. They can live comfortably in cool temperatures by warming the body through gut activity and the natural insulation of their winter coat, so in our relatively mild California winters, blanketing is typically not required. Since horses generate body heat through digestive activity, be sure calories are adequate by providing sufficient amounts of hay. Blanketing will give your horse added war...mth, but will decrease natural winter hair growth, so if you begin blanketing at the start of the cold season, you’ll want to keep blanketing until the weather starts to warm up. If you clip your horse, if you and your veterinarian think added warmth might benefit your horse because of a medical condition, or if freezing temperatures are expected, then blanketing may be warranted. In cool weather, it’s also appropriate to blanket a horse with a heavy hair coat that has gotten sweaty after a workout. If you do decide to blanket your horse, here are some guidelines to follow: Make sure your horse is clean and dry before blanketing. Groom on a regular basis to make sure there are no sores or rain rot developing. Turnout blankets should be waterproof. A saturated blanket will make your horse colder, not warmer, and can potentially cause illness. Never leave a blanket on during a hot day. Sweating in a blanket can be just as troublesome as a non-waterproof blanket in wet weather. Blanketing based on hair coat length: - Body Clipped Horses: Blanket when temperatures go below 60F, or anytime it is rainy or windy. - Moderate Hair Coat Horses: Blanket when temperatures go below 40F. - Heavy Hair Coat Horses: Blanket when temperatures go below 30F. Choose the appropriate blanket weight depending on your horse’s coat, condition, weather, and environment (indoors/outdoors). Be sure to read the manufacturer’s guidelines. Make sure the blanket fits properly. A blanket that is too small can cause sores and not provide enough warmth; a blanket that is too loose can be dangerous and allow cold air to flow underneath it. Here’s a good resource for learning how to measure your horse for a blanket and check the fit: https://horsemansnews.com/how-to-measure-and-evaluate-your/