Alternative Horse Therapy. Interview with Josey Key
- November 17, 2014
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- Jessie Salter
Posted in: Horse Care
Josey Key lives in Stephenville, Texas where not only is she the wife of 9X NFR Qualifier, David Key, she’s a mother of 2 young boys, a great team roper, business woman, and a laser therapy specialist. I got in touch with Josey to ask her some questions about her laser therapy and a few other options that she and David recommend.
What is your laser therapy called?
Josey: MR4 Activet from Multi Raidiance
What made you decide it was the right choice for your horses and others?
Josey: I actually used it on myself first. I have pain with my shoulder and neck. I have had surgery on both shoulders, went to the chiropractor all the time, and still had pain. I had a friend laser me with one of her lasers. The next morning I was pain free. Now, whenever I start to get tight muscles or shoulder pain I just laser myself. I was thinking hard about buying one and a friend of mine called me to see if I could be a dealer for them. She said she was renting one from her well know vet. She was also lasering herself and horses. I did some research and bought it. Then, I just started lasering and lasering and lasering. I didn’t know what I was doing so I just practiced a lot and asked a lot of questions. I became addicted to helping horses, people, and dogs. I love seeing the relief a horse will get from it. I like knowing that someone’s horse is healed and back in competition because I helped it. I have also helped a lot of the their owners and friends.
How does it work?
COLD LASER THERAPY or LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue, and is thought to help accelerate the healing process. Cold lasers are handheld devices used by the clinician and are often the size of a flashlight. The laser is placed directly over the injured area for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and the dose provided by the cold laser unit.
During this time, the non-thermal photons of light that are emitted from the laser pass through the skins layers (the dermis, epidermis, and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin). This light has the ability to penetrate 2 to 5 centimeters below the skin.
Once the light energy passes through the layers of skin and reaches the target area, it is absorbed and interacts with the light sensitive elements in the cell. This process can be compared to the photosynthesis in plants-sunlight is absorbed by plants, which is then converted to usable energy so that the plant can grow. When cells absorb this light energy, it initiates a series of events in the cell that is theorized to eventually result in normalizing damaged or injured tissue, a reduction in pain, inflammation, edema, and overall reduction in healing time by increasing intracellular metabolism.
How often does a horse need this therapy in order to see results?
Josey: Some horses have pain relief the first treatment. It depends on the situation. Some horses are just body sore while others have injuries. Everyone reacts differently and usually the first treatment takes longer to see any results. The more they are lasered the faster they respond. The laser speeds recovery time so your horse will be back in action a lot quicker. Horses enjoy the laser. Some even fall asleep, some will stop and stretch on their own, lick their lips, and they become completely relaxed.
I’ve seen you use it on people as well. What type of results do you see and hear from your human patients?
Josey: So far I haven’t received any negative feedback. There are some restrictions on what to do and usually I just hand the laser to each person and let them laser themselves. I have rough stock riders borrow it, have helped friends with migraines, my husband’s shoulders, my kid’s scraps and scratches, people with tennis elbow, knee, back, neck pain, and broken bones.
You sell lots of products on your website www.keyduprodeo.com. Do you recommend any other types of alternative therapies? What combinations do you see the best results with?
Josey: I like all natural products to start with. I like to feed Silver Lining since it is a herb. I am a firm believer in ice (cold laser therapy) so I sell Ice Vibe Boots. Back on Track is very popular which generates heat. On the other hand, I have worked for MWI Veterinary Supply for 16 years, so I do believe in drugs, also.
If you do not own a laser, I think the best combination of products every horse owner should own is the Ice Vibe Boot and Back on Track to alternate ice and heat. I am also fond of the Equi Sure all natural horse supplement. It is labeled for ulcers, nervousness, and promotes eating and drinking. If you have a nervous horse running barrels or roping it will calm them down. Works great.
When you and David are going down the road to rodeos, how do you keep your horses feeling their best? Take us through your horse care routine.
Josey: We feed Total Equine twice a day with coastal hay and sometimes alfalfa. When we are on the road our horses get more alfalfa and we do feed them more. We feed Silver Lining Herbs “Feet and Bone” and “Joint Support” all the time to every horse. Our trailer has automatic horse waters and we add these to every trailer, plus we will stop and water them just in case one doesn’t want to drink in the trailer. We do use the Equi Flex Sleeves when hauling our horses.
Josey: We feed Total Equine twice a day with coastal hay and sometimes alfalfa. When we are on the road our horses get more alfalfa and we do feed them more. We feed Silver Lining Herbs “Feet and Bone” and “Joint Support” all the time to every horse. Our trailer has automatic horse waters and we add these to every trailer, plus we will stop and water them just in case one doesn’t want to drink in the trailer. We do use the Equi Flex Sleeves when hauling our horses.
Posted in: Horse Care
About Jessie Salter
Horses have been a part of my life since I can remember. Riding with my Dad as a youngster was what I lived for. There was nothing better than working cows, or racing my dad across an alfalfa field. It seems I never grew out...