B4 Equine Services, LLC

09/24/2024

I get to see some pretty cool equine during my work week!🥰
I’ve worked on all types of horses, mules, mini donkeys, standard donkeys, and today my first mammoth donkey 😁

09/21/2024

09/18/2024

09/17/2024

🎊 New Episode Alert! 🎊
We’re back with another installment of the RRP Trainer Chronicles on OTTB on Tap! This week, we’re checking in with Chelsey O'Brien and her OTTB Unbeknownst to Me (UBie) as they prepare for the 2024 Retired Racehorse Project Makeover.

Chelsey opens up about UBie’s training for Western disciplines like barrel racing and ranch work, sharing tips on managing hoof care, diet, and more! 🐴 She also gives us an update on her exciting new farm adventure at The 1789 Farm in Berryville, VA. 🌿

If you’re interested in OTTB training, the RRP Makeover, or are looking for an available OTTB, you won’t want to miss this episode! 🎧

Listen now at https://www.ottbontap.com/s1e39

🎙

09/17/2024

Majority of us have heard of the drug Regu-Mate, but some of us who either don’t have mares or have less “mareish” mares aren’t as familiar with it! So what is it? 🤨

Regu-Mate: (altrenogest) is used to suppress estrus in mares. Many breeding facilities use Regua-mate or other versions of altrenogest to facilitate breeding for mares and maximize the use of stallions. Altrenogest can also help a moody mare whether it be during competition, training, showing, etc in the elimination of hormonal distractions. (It does not however improve your mares performance from what it is normally.) Once altrenogest it’s no longer given your mare can go back to or begin her career as a broodmare.

It is not necessary to keep a mare on altrenogest for long periods of time. Strategic use can be effective. (Consult a veterinarian before starting or stopping medications)

It is also sometimes used for geldings or stallions to help control testosterone driven behaviors during competition, training, sales, shipping, etc. (Always consult your veterinarian before starting or stopping medications)

(When administering altrenogest it is best to wear gloves and to avoid any skin contact! Accidental absorption can disrupt the menstrual cycle or cause prolongation of pregnancy in women.)

**Many show organization such as The Jockey Club and FEI have rules regarding altrenogest and competition, so always double check rule books and talk to show officials before using.

⭐️always consult a trusted veterinarian before starting or stopping any medication for your mare, gelding, or stallions!⭐️

09/16/2024

Feeding hay in haynets hung high (especially above the horse's eye level) or feeding feed in buckets hung higher than a horse's withers can cause a horse to hollow his back and lose muscle tone along the topline. Feeding on floor level, with the horse stretching the neck down, helps to improve topline. This is one of the reasons grazing is so important.

09/11/2024

I do not want to think of my services as a “bandaid” to issues that can be fixed!🙅🏼‍♀️

There are multiple aspects of our horses that can cause discomfort or tension within their bodies if not addressed; their teeth, their hooves, their saddle fit, their bit/bridle fit, their nutrition, their skeletal integrity, just to name a few!

I see on average 20 horses a week, that amounts to about 80 horses a month. Because I see so many horses who range from retired to top athletes there are things I notice (and you pay me to notice 😅) when working on your horse.
Some things normal; a tight back, some sore glutes, tight TMJs. And other things not so normal🔎

In regard to those “not so normal things” I will ask questions, I will want to have a farrier, other bodyworker, vet…or two involved.

I don’t do what I do for the owners, I do it for the horses. Trust me, I don’t even like people 🤣

09/04/2024

We have all heard the phrase “that horse is cold backed” but what does it actually mean? 🤔

Cold backed horses display signs of a sensitive or painful back that can range from mild to severe or dangerous. Unfortunately the term is used rather loosely and it can be used to cover multiple symptoms.

Symptoms include but are not limited
🩹sensitivity when grooming over back
🩹dipping away when the saddle is put on
🩹discomfort when girth is snugged
🩹stiffness or excessive roundness through the back during the early part of a ride

Some causes of a horse to be cold backed
❤️‍🩹ill fitting saddle
❤️‍🩹previous or current back injuries
❤️‍🩹dental issues
❤️‍🩹hoof balance issues
❤️‍🩹compensating for an ill balanced rider

How to treat a cold back🐴
Obviously the first step in treating a cold backed horse is contacting your trusted veterinarian to have them evaluate your horse to rule out any serious problems! From there they can recommend other professionals such as a chiro, massage therapist, etc to help relieve your horses pain or discomfort.

There are multiple ways to prevent your horse from developing this unwanted issue. 🙅🏼‍♀️
Having your saddle checked and fitted routinely, properly warming up and cooling down, practicing proper teeth and hoof care, using a mounting block to avoid unwanted stress on your horses back, having them seen by a bodyworker to prevent strain or injury to the area, and implementing core and back exercises to help strengthen this area to avoid injury or discomfort.

08/28/2024

When it comes to our horses and their health and wellness it’s okay to want a second, third, fourth opinion!! 🗯️

Any member of your horses’ health care team should be willing and open to work with other professionals to better your horses life. 🤝

It raises a red flag to me way when a vet, farrier, bodyworker gets mad when an owner asks questions or wants a second opinion before a procedure is done! Why? 🤔 Are they scared they missed something? Are they nervous they’ll lose business? Are they trying to cover up something?

It’s your horse (and your money) so ask as many questions as needed to make you feel comfortable. And if your questions aren’t answered then get a second opinion 🤷🏼‍♀️

No one person knows everything there is to know about horses and no one person has seen everything there is to see when it comes to horses. As my old boss used to say, “it would take two lifetimes to learn everything there is to know about horses.” 🖤🐴

08/23/2024

🫣😏

It has come to my attention that some people may not be aware of the differences between MagnaWave and Beamer Blankets. As someone who has researched and chosen MagnaWave for my needs, I wanted to share some key facts to help others understand why I made this choice:

**MagnaWave:**
- Uses a higher power than other magnetic therapy blankets, leading to shorter treatment times and faster results.
- MagnaWave machines are adjustable and customizable, requiring proper training for effective use.
- Gauss strength ranges from 1,000 to 8,300, with a frequency range of 1–50.
- The Spiro Klick model boasts up to 500 times more power than a traditional PEMF blanket and features adjustable straps for ease of use.

**Beamer:**
- Utilizes a patented signal that has been developed over nearly 20 years.
- Beamer blankets are lightweight and commonly used to treat vascular issues in equine athletes
-Has a gauss strength of 0.35 and a frequency of 10 and 30 Hz.

For me, the choice was clear—MagnaWave offers the power, customization, and results I was looking for. If you have any questions or want more information, feel free to reach out!

08/22/2024

Things I remember: everything you’ve ever told me about your horse

Things I can’t remember: your name

08/21/2024

Bodywork doesn’t just make a happier, healthier riding horse. It also benefits your horse outside the ring!!

Here are some non-riding wins my clients see in their horses:
Easier trailering 🚦
Less stressed / anxious in day to day life😮‍💨
Easier to tack and groom 💆🏼‍♀️
Calmer during turn out 🌳
Less stomach upset ❤️‍🩹
Decrease in destructive behaviors (cribbing, weaving, pawing) 🙅🏼‍♀️
More willing during training sessions ⭐️
Better behaved for the farrier ⚒️

If your horse gets regular bodywork, what are some non-riding benefits that you notice?

08/16/2024

08/14/2024

The recent post about your horses unnatural stance ruffled a lot of feathers! 🐓🫣

So it seems as if a lot of people were reading the post thinking I was referring to CONFORMATION and not posture or stance! 🔎

Conformation is how your horse is PUT together or “it’s the basic structure dictated by the skeleton.” 🩻

And posture is how a horse stands or organizes ITSELF! (And the definition of stance is “your posture or the way you stand”) 🧱

So since conformation is said to be genetic and can’t be changed is posture able to be changed? 🤔

Yes, posture or stance CAN be changed!!
It can be changed with the development of muscles (top line muscles, glutes, cores, etc), correct farrier work, addressing compensatory patterns, soreness or tension whether that be in the muscles, fascia, or soreness in the hooves, and also poor dental work or teeth imbalances!! 🤯

Now to ruffle even more feathers….😬
Do you think a horses conformation can be changed or adjusted?? Depending on age, farrier work, nutrition, lifestyle, etc?? 🫣🤔

08/13/2024

I get asked at least once a week if I have my own horses.
Of course I do!! 🥰 I have three mares (yes I planned that, I am a huge mare fan!!!)
Phoenix AKA Old Lady, Mama is my oldest at 35+ years old. She is a grade QH, chestnut mare I purchased about two years ago for the sole purpose of a companion. I have never even sat on her, she lives the lavish completely retired life and she looks good doing it!!! 🍑
April Zips Olina AKA Kid, B*tch, A$$hole, Never Ending Vet Bill is my main riding horse. She is an AQHA 10 year old bay dun (April Fools baby). She was bred and trained to rein in Fredericksburg VA so she’s got some cool buttons. Shes a mare through and through and I’ve told people if she was human I’d be scared to death of her but she’s my little Angel muffin who can do no wrong!! 🖤
AR Gypsy Smoke AKA Birdie, Baby Horse, Menace to Society is my up and coming riding horse. She is an AQHA two year old (also an April baby) seal buckskin with partial blue eyes. I purchased her from a client, brought her home two days after her 2nd birthday and she has been the easiest going baby since the minute she got off the trailer. Her favorite thing to do right now is pester the every loving s**t out of the Old Lady and test Kids patience (which is very short)!!! 🩶

I am incredibly blessed to have my three girls live at home with me on my small farm in northern VA. I don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t have a personal horse and unfortunately for my bank account I doubt there will ever be! ❤️‍🔥

08/13/2024

I have a client selling their personal Theraplate and I may have the option to purchase it for my practice.
Is this something my current clients would be interested in using for their horses?

It would either be an add on to regular sessions or a Theraplate only session (similar to my PEMF only sessions)

Scroll through the photos to see the benefits of the machine from the manufacturer and a photo of the machine.

08/07/2024

I have one possibly two regular client spots available for the rest of summer into fall due to clients heading further north for the remainder of summer. ⛅️🥵

My schedule books a month ahead of time with my (amazing) regular clients, so if you’ve been wanting to get your horse(s) on a bodywork schedule take advantage of these open spots! 📆

My services include:
PEMF
Massage
Myofascial release
Red light
Kinesiology taping

If you’re interested in setting up an appointment for your horse(s) please call, text or message me! (Text is quickest 😅)
540-409-1597 📲
[email protected] 📩

08/06/2024

I am not someone you should call during an actual emergency (colic, lacerations, fractures, blood, guts, gore, etc) but I do make “emergency” calls! I had two last minute “emergency” calls today for regular clients that I already see on a monthly basis.

One had a puffy leg the day before a show (vet had been contacted and had seen the horse) and another rolled on to, we are assuming, a rock in his pasture and bruised his shoulder which resulted in him being very grumpy and out of sorts! 😣

I always wanted to be a vet, but this might be the next best thing since I don’t get called during the middle of the night!! 🤣

08/05/2024

07/31/2024

There are multiple types of feed through fly control for horses to fit every horse and horse owners lifestyle!🪰

Different feed throughs work in different ways!
Some help to “sterilize” manure, this eliminates the flies breeding grounds resulting in the larvae not reaching adulthood. Others prevent the exoskeleton of the larvae from forming which stops the life’s cycle of the larvae. ❌🪱

Feed throughs are popular because of how safe they are for not only you but also your horse or other pets at the barn. 🐕🐈 (there are all natural options that contain garlic which is a natural repellent)

There are multiple options of feed throughs such as pelleted, granulated, powders, or blocks! 🥣
**do not feed more than one feed through at a time

As with any supplement or change in nutrition consult your veterinarian prior to adding feed throughs! 👩🏼‍⚕️

07/27/2024

Congrats ladies! 👏🏼👏🏼

07/27/2024

🫧 Time to burst some bubbles

👎🏼 No bodywork modalities are going to fix your horse. I said what I said, and I’ll say it again - I won’t fix your horse, your chiro won’t fix your horse, your PEMF pro won’t fix your horse, you get where I’m going with this… let’s talk about why.

🗒️ The goal of bodywork isn’t to fix your horse. If someone tells you “I can fix that” - fire them. Because here’s the thing, we can HELP your horse, and we can be a part of your horse’s body recovering, healing, and correcting itself, but that’s it.

🧠 The work we do addresses their body and nervous system to:
💥 Break the pain cycle
💥 Create space
💥 Increase blood flow
💥 Relax the mind and body
💥 Increase proprioception
💥 Etc

🤝🏼 In short - we are working with the body and nervous system SO THAT the body and nervous system can help itself. When you break the pain cycle, decompress tissue, tweak the skeleton, increase blood flow, relax the mind, and increase proprioception, you are allowing the body to return to a state of repair and you’re creating the space and circulation TO HELP the process.

🤷🏻‍♀️ And for good measure, I’ll add: if your horse has things you’re working to correct, your bodyworker and horse can’t do it on their own. Your training and management practices absolutely have to reflect the outcome you want as well. Your pros can’t do it all for you.

07/24/2024

Fly boots! 🪰
They might be ugly but they do benefit your horse in multipe ways!!

Fly boots help to prevent constant stomping from pesky flies, so here are three reasons why I think all horses should wear them!! 🪰❌

1: they lessen the chances of your horses hooves getting chipped, broken up, stepping on the sides of their shoes, etc. (your farrier will thank you!)

2: less stress on the structure and bone of your horses legs (some horses are more prone to splints or other unwanted leg abnormalities due to their conformation. So reducing any unneeded concussion is vital)

3: reduce stress on their musculature! (As a bodyworker I can usually tell if your horse is a big fly stomper and if he or she wears fly boots. During fly season horses who do stomp excessively are more sore in their shoulders, trapezius muscles, and pectorals month after month)

Does your horse wear fly boots?
If so, what brand do you (or they) prefer? ⬇️⬇️

07/23/2024

🍀🍀Go to your local fair, walk past the rides and the games and find those livestock kids. Have a conversation with them, ask them about their animals. You just may learn something and have your faith in our future restored.

We fill the bleachers on Friday nights for football. We fill the bleachers on cold winter nights for basketball. We travel miles and miles, to sit in the bleachers for volleyball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, and dance.

Our 4-H and FFA families would like to invite you to fill the bleachers on a warm summer day during county fair week and watch the kids who practice with a 1200 pound steer that doesn’t always want to walk, a 140 pound lamb that doesn’t want to get on the stand for the 100th time, a 280 pound hog that just wants to stay in the cool barn or a stubborn goat that doesn’t like the chain/halter.

Come check out Exhibit Hall for all the non-livestock exhibitors. Those kids have heart and dedication and put hours into their creations.

Let’s fill the bleachers, barns, and buildings to show these kids that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and because of them, the future of the agriculture and leadership is in good hands.🍀🍀

🐂🐑🐐🐖🐓🐇🍞🥧🍪🎨
🧵🎯👗📗✂️🦃🦆🐄🐈💐🖼
Copy and Paste if you support or promote your local county fair!

07/17/2024

I hear it often, 💬
“My horse only rests his back left / right!”
“My horse stands with his front left / right out in front when resting!”
“He presses one side of his butt into the wall!”
“She “sits” on her waterer or bucket!”
“She bumps her hip into the wall voluntarily!”
And the list goes on…..😵‍💫

Some horses will put themselves into unnatural stances to relieve pain and as your horses bodyworker I want to know what stance they put themselves into and how often it happens! This isn’t, or wasn’t at the beginning, a funny quirk they do, it’s a sign something is not right and it’s your job as the owner to find a reason why! 🤨

Having an unnatural stance can be the cause of multiple things…
Sore or unbalanced feet
Sore pelvis
Tight hamstrings
Unbalanced shoulders
Restricted fascia line
And the list goes on

Just like if a horse had a lameness or unnatural way of moving, we would be concerned, that still applies when the horse is stationary! 🔎 If you suspect your horse puts themselves into an unnatural stance contact your vet and discuss it with your trusted bodyworker!

07/14/2024

I will be at Jarvis Stables in Lorton VA on Wednesday the 17th and have two spots available! 🐴

If you’re off or close to 66 from Centerville to Front Royal and want your horses worked on message or text me asap! 🙂

07/12/2024

06/25/2024

Why is KT tape different colors?

KT tape can be found in a multitude of colors and it’s all because of color therapy and the way the light reflects on the tape. It is said that there is no difference otherwise for stretch and strength.

Warm colors tend to make us happier so along with orange, yellow is also a mood improving color as well as a warming tape like red. Just not as warming as red but not as cool as blue. Purple also has more of a cooling effect as well as helping with regeneration and balance.

Black is a lack of color and also tends to take away energy, it’s recommended not to use it in cases of extreme exhaustion. It is best used as anchors to help hold other pieces of tape in place.

Source: “Kinesiology Taping for Horses : The Complete Guide to Taping for Equine Health, Fitness, and Performance” by Kajita Bredlau-Morich
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06/24/2024

I’ve been asked to come down to Staunton VA but need a few more horses to make the trip! 🚗

The date is undecided but I have plenty of July days to choose from. 🗓️ I will be traveling down 81 from Stephens City so if you are on the way and would like to add your horses to the schedule text, message, or email me asap! 📩

06/21/2024

Such a sweet article about my client Coree and her amazing gelding Solo!!

Now on Course: Coree Reuter-McNamara Has Found Her Strength and Courage in a Special OTTB