Stable Hands Equine Therapy

Stable Hands Equine Therapy Ashley Merritt, CAEMT - Sports Massage, Rehab, K-Taping & Red Light Services *Serving SoIL & STL area

11/19/2025

Hi everyone,
I hope you and your horses are staying safe and healthy. With the recent outbreak of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in our area, I want to reach out with a quick update on the precautions I’ll be taking—as well as a few steps I’m kindly asking you to take—to help keep every horse and barn environment protected.

Your horses’ health is my top priority, and I want to ensure I’m doing everything possible to minimize risk while still providing the care they need.



Precautions I Will Be Taking

To prevent any potential spread between barns, I will be implementing the following protocols:
• Full sanitization of equipment (hands, tools, grooming instruments, massage tools) between every horse and between barns.
• Wearing clean clothing when entering each barn, including using a fresh outer layer if I am visiting multiple locations in a day.
• Disinfecting footwear before entering and after leaving each barn.
• Limiting cross-barn scheduling, allowing more time between appointments to properly disinfect.
• Rescheduling immediately if I learn of any new exposure concerns or if I observe symptoms in a horse at a previous barn.



Precautions I Ask From You

To help ensure a safe environment for everyone’s horses, I kindly ask that owners do the following before their massage appointment:
• Please do not schedule if your barn has had any recent fevers, neurological symptoms, respiratory symptoms, or confirmed EHV cases.
• Bring your horse out with a clean halter and lead rope, if possible, to reduce shared-equipment contact.
• Let me know immediately if your horse has traveled recently, attended a show, or been in contact with horses outside your barn.

***Notify me immediately if your horse has recently traveled, attended an event, or been exposed to horses outside the barn.***
➤ Because EHV can have an incubation period of up to 14 days, I ask that horses who have recently traveled or had known exposure wait a full 14 (tested) and 21 (non-tested) days symptom-free before their session. This helps ensure we aren’t working on horses who may be shedding the virus before signs appear.

I understand this situation can feel stressful, but taking these steps will allow us to continue sessions safely and responsibly. If you have any questions or need to adjust your appointment, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your cooperation, your trust, and your commitment to keeping our horses healthy.

I have this hoof clay IN STOCK! $10 for a container. It's awesome for thrush! Let me know if you want some!
11/14/2025

I have this hoof clay IN STOCK! $10 for a container. It's awesome for thrush! Let me know if you want some!

11/13/2025

sometimes you have to just step back and let them process the release... 😉

11/06/2025

Today's horsey clients! Totally think I should make this for every day!

Schaeffer Bodyworks, LLC Equine Wellness Event 2025
11/01/2025

Schaeffer Bodyworks, LLC Equine Wellness Event 2025

09/17/2025

I am so excited to start introducing balance pads to my horsey clients! Here's Miss Liberty Belle's second experience with the balance pads. The balance pads create an unstable surface for the horse (you may notice her slightly swaying back and forth) which will help with balance, mobility, posture, and proprioception. I am using them on my own horses to help with their topline as well! You can see how LB is doing a lot of licking and chewing and even some yawning as she relaxes and releases using the pads!!

😂😂
09/12/2025

😂😂

New & exciting things are coming!!!
09/10/2025

New & exciting things are coming!!!

I cannot tell you how valuable April's clinics are!! She's a wealth of knowledge!
09/02/2025

I cannot tell you how valuable April's clinics are!! She's a wealth of knowledge!

4 DAY PRO EVENT October 16-19 in Collinsville IL!

Hands on, group learning among professionals about all things equine bodywork/wellness.

Our event is hosted on a beautiful private track living facility and all presentations will be given inside to avoid any weather concerns.

Follow the link to see: https: //www.facebook.com/share/165DiVPkJc/

Check out a full outline of the event here and register: https://sbw-owners-massage.thinkific.com/courses/IL-hands-on

We have plenty of lodging within just miles of our location. Two airports within an hour of us-which I’m willing to help transport to and from.

At least once a month I’m asked, “do you do any in person classes” so I’ve been working on how to make this jam packed full of helpful information since bodyworkers are busy and travel for education isn’t always the easiest thing for us!

Reminder-this isn’t limited to SBW students or graduates! It’s open to ANY certified equine massage therapist or student of any program that wants a chance to group learn!

Please reach out if you have questions via messenger or email schaefferbodywork@gmail.com

A few business items: 1.) if you are a current client and haven't downloaded the equigate app for session notes, message...
08/29/2025

A few business items:

1.) if you are a current client and haven't downloaded the equigate app for session notes, message me so I can get you all set up! It's pretty cool! I don't necessarily send notes from every single session (they can sometimes be repetitive) but I do always have them so if you want a particular session just message me. CHECK OUT THE NEW DIAGRAMS BELOW!

2.) I have only have a few spots open on specific routes so if you are wanting to get on my monthly waitlist for bodywork, reach out sooner than later because some cool new things are coming....(keep your eye out for those new posts next!)

Good luck to all my horses and clients heading to the NEC show this weekend!! ❤️
08/01/2025

Good luck to all my horses and clients heading to the NEC show this weekend!! ❤️

Wishing Dillon, Bob, Red, and Bombshell a safe and winning trip to Congress as well as all my horses and clients who wil...
07/18/2025

Wishing Dillon, Bob, Red, and Bombshell a safe and winning trip to Congress as well as all my horses and clients who will be at the Monroe County fair and Legacy show this weekend! Sending you guys all the luck and love!!!

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Millstadt, IL
62260

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