AmberEffect Massage Therapy & Performance

06/12/2024

While we are tucked away in an air-conditioned truck with comfy seats, our horses are bouncing and swaying in the back.

Unlike many may think, horses don't actually sleep or rest in the trailer. Their body is constantly moving and making adjustments to stay upright - Just like we do when we are standing in the bus or train.

Researchers from Massey University in New Zealand sought to measure how much vertical and horizontal movement horses have when in a trailer. With two horses loaded up into a two-horse, they took a 58-minute trip and here is what they found:

📍In total, horse 1 moved over 228 ft and horse 2 moved over 320 ft vertically
📍Horizontally, Horse 1 moved 745 ft and Horse 2 moved 797 ft
📍Both horses swayed over 11 inches

Next time you load up for a show, clinic, lesson, etc., give your horse a break before jumping right on.
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05/30/2024

02/13/2024

01/16/2024

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

12/25/2023

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas 🎄 ❄️

11/10/2023

10/20/2023

Or maybe you need to see your massage therapist!?

🌟 Book Today!

10/08/2023

Kentucky Bound 🐴 🛻
Be sure to see us at Liberty Festival; we’ll be competing in the invitational freestyle Saturday night, you don’t want to miss it.

Also stop by the Versatile Horsemanship, LLC booth for great conversation, merch and chair massages! 💆🏻‍♀️

International Liberty Horse Association