On a regular workday, veterinarian Cori Phinn can be found gallivanting with horses.
The Santa Cruz-born 29-year-old is often around the valley performing vaccinations, dental work and emergency care — all from the back of her truck.
“It’s exciting, because I can offer so much on the go,” Phinn said. “I even have an x-ray machine I take around with me.”
The equestrian owns Coast Equine Veterinary Services, an ambulatory horse practice that opened in 2007.
And her work has proved vital. Phinn was the first one on the scene at a recent near-tragedy, when a blind horse almost drowned in Larkin Valley ditch. Her role in the drama made headlines in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and San Jose Mercury News last month.
Tam, a 30-year-old blind Appaloosa and one of Phinn’s patients, had stumbled into the deepest part of a swampy patch and was sinking into the mud. The horse was minutes away from being put to sleep with a syringe when fire crews got there and pulled her out.
“It was one of the most intense experiences,” Phinn said. “It was highly stressful, because time was an issue. The owner had called me, and I was there before the fire crews were.”
Soon after the traumatic encounter, Phinn took a two-day large-animal rescue class through Felton Fire District.
“Now, I feel even more prepared to handle emergency situations like that,” she said.
Phinn also handles reproductive services, like managing a mare’s pregnancy and performing ultrasounds.
“But not many people are breeding lately, because of the rough economy,” she said.
She recalled one time when a baby horse got wire wrapped around its ankle like a corkscrew, digging into its skin.
“It took hours to get all the wire out, but luckily, it didn’t get too deep into the skin, and the horse was completely fine,” she recalled.
While Phinn moved to Scotts Valley with her husband just over the summer, she’s no stranger to the valley.
“You’d be surprised at how many people own horses in the area,” Phinn said. “I get pretty close to my clients, because horses are members of the family.”
In her younger years, she was a part of the Santa Cruz County Pony Club, where she trained, rode and judged.
“My family had horses growing up, and I’ve always felt a connection with them,” she said. “I still ride when I have the time.”
After high school, Phinn attended California State University, Chico, and received a bachelor’s degree in animal science. She then went on to earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Ross University in the Caribbean.
“When I went to college, I became interested in science and medicine, so this was a way to combine the two things I love,” Phinn said.
Her practice keeps her busy, but in her free time, she said, she loves spending time with her husband and two horses, Cairo and Maggie, at home in Scotts Valley.
“I am lucky I get to do what I love,” Phinn said. “The job can be intense, but it’s mostly a positive experience, and the horses are happy to see me when I come for checkups. I give lots of treats.”
At a glance
• Find out more about horse vet Cori Phinn at www.coastequinevet.com.
