Behind the Scenes at Alamo Pintado: Where Equine Medicine Meets Heart

Nicole Walther
Aug 11
2 min read

On July 18th, several SBC-CDS chapter members ventured to the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos for an inside look at one of the Central Coast's premier equine veterinary facilities. Christina led the group through the entire clinic, offering a firsthand introduction to the center's advanced diagnostic technology, including its 3-D CT, MRI, and PET scanning equipment. She walked members through a variety of x-rays and case studies from the clinic's files, keeping patient details anonymous, and explained the collaborative process by which veterinarians, interns, and externs work together to diagnose and treat horses.

Members also learned a fun piece of the clinic's history: the original building, which once housed the entire operation, is now home to the x-ray machine, with interns and externs living in the space above.

The tour also offered a glimpse into the clinic's rich history. Alamo Pintado Equine was founded in 1972 by Dr. Doug Herthel, DVM, and his wife, Sue Herthel, who built the practice around a shared love of horses and commitment to exceptional veterinary care. Dr. Herthel's own passion for horses began in childhood near Calabasas, California, sparked by his first horse, Big Boy, who stayed by his side for 37 years — from his youth through veterinary school at UC Davis and on to Los Olivos.

The Herthels fell in love with Los Olivos while driving back from Los Angeles and eventually built their dream clinic there, starting from a small downtown house where Mrs. Herthel assisted with surgeries on the front lawn. As their family and practice grew, the clinic expanded into dedicated treatment rooms, ICU stalls, and imaging space. Dr. Mark Rick, who joined in the clinic's early days alongside his wife Kathy, still practices there today, bringing over 40 years of experience to the Alamo Pintado family.

Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center is located at 2501 Santa Barbara Avenue in Los Olivos. You can learn more about them HERE.