by Boehringer Ingelheim / January 26, 2026

For Amber Lockwood, caring for horses is second nature. And although she grew up riding, competing and dreaming of being a trainer, those days have been replaced with simply enjoying horses. 

“I loved all the horses I worked with as a rider, groom and trainer,” Amber recalls. “It was fun to get to know them all. They each have things they like or dislike and their own unique quirks. But ultimately, over time, I found I was drawn more to their care and not as interested in competing.” 

That realization led Amber down a new path — one centered not on ribbons or rankings, but on relationships. She transitioned into barn management, caring for horses full time and ensuring their wellbeing from the ground up.

Eventually, Amber decided to create something of her own: a small retirement farm in Bumpass, Virginia, where aging horses could live out their days in comfort, dignity and peace. 

Samantha Silver, who had met Amber when she was managing a dressage barn, thought Amber’s new venture would be the perfect fit for her retired horse. And she was right. The care that Amber provides to her horse led Samantha to nominate Amber for the Boehringer Ingelheim Share the Care program, which celebrates everyday caregivers who help keep horses happy and healthy. More than 300 nominations from across the country have been submitted. 

“Amber takes extraordinary care of my 22-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, Jimmie Echo,” Samantha said in her Share the Care nomination submission. “Her farm is supposed to be just for retirement board, but Echo is super high maintenance and has required significant time in a stall along with extra special care. Despite that, Amber hasn’t raised board or hesitated to do what’s needed.” When Echo developed a serious case of skin fungus–induced cellulitis, Amber took charge immediately. After consulting with a veterinarian and developing a treatment plan, she personally administered medications twice a day. 

“Echo isn’t easy to medicate,” Samantha explains. “But Amber handled it with patience and consistency. After his cellulitis cleared, she continued bringing him in regularly to scrub his hind legs with chlorhexidine. She always goes above and beyond.” For Samantha — who lives nearly an hour away — knowing that Echo is in such capable hands brings priceless peace of mind. 

“I have the utmost confidence in Amber’s care and her ability to identify and treat any issues that come up,” she says. “She’s observant, compassionate and completely devoted to the horses.” 

“We are honored to recognize Amber as a special equine caregiver,” says Sarah Happel, U.S. Head of Marketing, Equine, Boehringer Ingelheim.  “She exemplifies what the Share the Care program celebrates.” 

Amber’s love for horses shows in every act of patience, every early morning feeding and every gentle hand on a muzzle. Because for her, the reward isn’t found in blue ribbons — it’s found in quiet moments of trust, and in horses like Echo who know they are safe, seen and cared for.