BEAMING Inc.

11/24/2025

Volunteer of the Month: Jen Schafer

We’re thrilled to recognize Jen for her dedication, compassion, and the positivity she brings to every session. Her steady support in the barn makes a meaningful difference for our participants, families, and horses.

Thank you, Jen, for all you do to help BEAMING shine!

11/23/2025

Movement that Heals

The simple act of riding or leading a horse creates a three-dimensional movement pattern that mirrors natural walking.

This unique motion strengthens muscles, improves posture, and enhances motor skills. At BEAMING, participants often tell us how these movements make them feel stronger, more balanced, and more confident, both physically and emotionally.

Want to learn more about the healing power of horses? Call (920) 851-6160.

11/22/2025

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 and why biosecurity is so important at BEAMING in the coming months .

EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus 1) and EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) are presently causing a significant amount of distress in the western performance horse industry. Though this is not a new disease, it is more novel to this group of horses.

EHV-1 has four different forms - respiratory, neonatal (foal) infection, abortion and neurologic. The neurologic form can cause what is called EHM, which is the most serious and potentially fatal form of disease. The respiratory form is more commonly diagnosed. Clinical signs include fever, nasal discharge (snotty nose) and/or cough.

EHM is the most severe form of the virus and the reason why these outbreaks are so significant. In this form, the virus will attack the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal to the horse. In addition to those listed above, clinical signs that are noted with the neurologic form include quick-onset weakness, uncoordiantion and trouble standing. They may have difficulty with bowel movements and urination. Some horses also experience extreme lethargy and comatose-like states.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐋, 𝐃𝐑?

- Horses can be infected with EHV-1 and not suffer from neurologic disease (EHM)
- The virus is transmitted through horse-to-horse contact, contaminated humans/tack/equipment and briefly in the air
- There can be “silent carriers” who do not show clinical signs, but can still shed the virus and infect other horses - meaning it is easier to transmit
- The incubation period is variable - on average its 4-7 days from exposure, but it can take up to 14 days
- The best early detection protocol for potentially exposed horses is to take temperatures twice daily - anything above 101.5 degrees is a fever
- If your horse has a fever or displays any other clinical signs of disease (cough, snotty nose, lethargy, inappetance, incoordination), it should be separated from other horses and you should consult your veterinarian for further diagnostics and treatment
- The best prevention for transmission is to stay home and not be in contact with other horses while this outbreak is occurring

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭?

Your veterinarian can send nasal swabs and blood samples to laboratory testing facilities that run PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Bend Equine Medical Center additionally has an on-site test available for potential cases or exposed horses (results available in 1 hour); you do not need to be a current client to run the tests. This disease is reportable, so if a positive case is identified then it is required to be reported to the state vet.

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?

Though there is not a specific medication to treat the virus, supportive care can be administered. These include anti-inflammatories, IV fluids and slings for horses that are unable to stand. Antibiotics will not have an effect and anti-virals have been shown to have minimal effect in horses that are already clinically affected by the virus. The mortality rate of EHM (neurologic form) is 30-50% with extremely variable recovery times - horses that are able to stay standing on their own typically have a better overall prognosis than down horses. The majority of cases that are infected with EHV-1 (and do not get the neurologic strain) develop a fever +/- nasal discharge and recover. Quarantined horses/facilities are recommended to stay isolated for 21 days after the last positive case is identified.

𝘐𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐇𝐕?

The short answer is, partially. The Pneumabort-K vaccine can reduce viremia and viral shedding. Flu/Rhino combo vaccine (eg. FluVac Innovator EHV4/1) will prevent the respiratory forms of EHV. Unfortunately, studies are somewhat divided on recommendations for vaccinating in the face of an outbreak, so it is easy to read differing opinions on the matter. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 - 𝘌𝘏𝘔. Additionally, there has been some evidence showing that horses that are in a stressed state that receive the vaccine may be more likely to contract the disease.

The only horses that should be vaccinated during an active outbreak are unexposed, afebrile and asymptomatic individuals. Fevers can occur after vaccination, which can make it more difficult to identify individuals that need to be isolated. 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

11/22/2025

Horse Story Series: Sparkles' Gift of Joy

Meet Sparkles! This little horse has touched over 4,000 lives with her calm, joyful presence. Whether she’s visiting seniors or comforting clients at the barn, Sparkles brings hope, comfort, and smiles wherever she goes.

Read her full story below.

Support horses like Sparkles by casting your Snowflake Votes this holiday season, open until December 31st!

Submit Your Votes Here: https://givebutter.com/lUqk0R

11/20/2025

Thankful Thursday

As we head into the holiday season, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible horses who make BEAMING’s mission possible. Each one carries a unique story, a gentle spirit, and a heart as big as their hooves.

Through our Horse Stories series, we’ve been learning even more about the remarkable journeys that shaped them and the powerful ways they now support healing for our participants. Their wisdom, resilience, and willingness to connect inspire us every day.

And today, we’re especially thankful to welcome Dante, our newest addition to the herd!

Dante is already settling in beautifully, and we can’t wait for you to get to know him and watch his story unfold.

We truly couldn’t do this work without our extraordinary equine partners.

Here’s to the horses who heal, teach, and touch hearts, this season and always.

11/20/2025

SANTA AT THE RANCH IS CANCELLED!

There has been an outbreak of a horse disease, and we want to keep our herd healthy and safe.

Thank you for understanding.

11/20/2025

PSA:

We are reaching out with an important health and safety update regarding Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1), a serious and highly contagious disease currently affecting horses in parts of Wisconsin and surrounding areas. While our horses are healthy at this time, we must take strong preventative steps to protect them especially our older and medically vulnerable therapy horses who would not survive an outbreak.

To keep our barn safe and operating, we are implementing strict biosecurity measures effective immediately.
If you or your child visit any other horse barn, petting zoo, festival, fair, or event where animals from other farms may be present, we ask that you use extreme caution before returning to our facility.

Required precautions include:
1. Change all clothing (pants, shirts, jackets, hats, gloves) before coming to our barn.
2. Wear clean footwear that has not been worn at any other barn or animal venue.
3. Disinfect footwear using a bleach or disinfectant boot bath at the entrance to our barn.
4. Clean and disinfect vehicle floor mats with Lysol or another approved disinfectant if you have visited another barn or livestock area.
5. Avoid bringing any equipment (helmets, brushes, gloves, etc.) that has been used elsewhere.

These steps are not optional. EHV-1 can be transferred easily on clothing, boots, hands, and equipment even without direct horse-to-horse contact. One missed precaution could expose our entire herd.

If these safety protocols cannot be followed, we will be forced to temporarily close the barn to protect our horses.
Our priority is the health, safety, and longevity of the amazing therapy horses who serve our riders every day.

Thank you for taking these precautions seriously and helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone. If you have any questions about procedures or concerns about recent exposure, please reach out before your next visit.

11/20/2025

Vote for one or for all …it’s our annual Favorite Horse contest for the year !

Voting Starts NOW!
It’s time to cast your votes in A Snowflake for Every Horse!

Help spread some holiday cheer while supporting the BEAMING herd this season. Each $5 donation = 1 Snowflake Vote for your favorite horse and every snowflake helps care for and feed our amazing equine partners this winter.

How it works:
➡ Each $5 = 1 Snowflake Vote
➡ Email shelly.beaming@gmail.com after donating to tell us which horse you’re voting for
➡ Watch your horse’s stall fill up with snowflakes and see who wins the most!
➡ Donations of $50+ earn a free ornament, and $100+ earn a BEAMING T-shirt!

You can donate online using the QR code or mail a check to:
2692 County Rd GG, Neenah, WI 54956

Stay tuned as we share a series of stories about the BEAMING herd, meet the horses, learn their unique personalities, and find out what makes each one so special!

Vote for your favorite horse today and give every horse a little holiday magic!

Donate/Vote Here: https://givebutter.com/lUqk0R

11/20/2025

Attention effective immediately !

Please help!

Biosecurity Protocol for Anyone Coming From Another Horse Barn.

1. Before Arriving
• Do not come directly from another barn to our facility without changing clothes.
• Wear clean clothes that have not been in another barn that day.
• Wear clean, disinfected boots, or bring a second pair that is only used at our stable.
•. Use the boot bath at the door if needed for your shoes !

Let’s stop the spread of the horrible disease EHV-1

11/19/2025

Wishlist Wednesday

Looking for a meaningful way to give this season?

Our Walmart Wishlist is full of items that directly help our horses and the amazing people they serve.

Check out our wishlist here: https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/640e3f79-0648-4e3e-b034-12fea729e6ed

Thank you for bringing comfort and care to our ranch this holiday season!

11/19/2025

Looking for that Turkey dinner find yours on Nov 24th free!