Equicizer Q & A Part 1

Back in July we published a blog post on some of the similarities and differences between our two Equicizer Models - the Equicizer Classic and the Equicizer Elite. As promised, we also want to cover some of the other common questions that we get about the Equicizer in general including the building, shipping and purchasing processes. This will be fun!

Is the Equicizer used for exercise only?

While the Equicizer is commonly used as a tool to exercise on, that's only one of the many ways it's used. The Equicizer is often used as a training tool in both private homes and public facilities for riders to work on things such as correct posture, form, balance, alignment and more, which can then be carried over almost seamlessly to a real horse. The Equicizer is also used by many people for rehabilitation purposes. It's becoming very popular among therapeutic riding programs; the Equicizer is used by programs around the world.

What maintenance does the Equicizer require?​ 

Virtually none! While we always recommend using care with your Equicizer like you would any nice piece of equipment, the Equicizer is built to last. We use high quality materials including a marine grade carpet which can be sprayed and washed down to clean if needed (we don't recommend completely soaking the carpet to avoid saturating the padding underneath). 

The only parts that may ever need replacing on the Equicizer are the springs, neck bands and wheels. All of these parts are under warranty for a period of time with each new Equicizer purchase and we sell them in our online store. We offer a 3 year warranty on springs and resistant neck bands for the Classic for personal use or 18 months for schools, programs etc. where being used by multiple riders. We offer a 10 year warranty on springs and resistant neck bands for the Elite for personal use or 5 years for schools, programs etc where being used by multiple riders.

Can the Equicizer simulate the two beat trot and the canter?

The Equicizer offers the sensation of a horse in all gaits for the exception of the trot (a two beat gait). The Equicizer does not simulate the trot but you can do the posting exercise in rhythm on the Equicizer which strengthens your legs and core for the sitting trot on a real horse and is an excellent exercise in and of itself. This is a great example of a posting trot on the Equicizer, demonstrated by Dressage Instructor, Meg Hilly: 

How many labor hours go into making every amazing Equicizer?

Many!! We build Equicizers in sets of 4 at a time. Our goal is to build 8 Equicizers a month, which breaks down to a set of 4 every two weeks or so. This is barring any unforeseen delays with parts used in the manufacturing process. Depending on how busy we are, we're in the workshop anywhere from 5-7 days a week.

What is the most “interesting or high profile” sale that’s been made, either by a person or place? 

This is a great question. The first sale that comes to mind is the movie Seabiscuit. Equicizers were used in all of the close up scenes for the movie, which aired in 2003. The film purchased 2 Equicizers from us directly and borrowed 4 more locally in California for the production. One of the Equicizers was put in actor Toby Maguire's home so that he could train on it in preparation for the race riding scenes he would be acting out (also on Equicizers).

Here' s a cool "would have/could have been" on the most interesting sales list. Last year, the Equicizer appeared on a taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show, "Ellen". After the show aired we got a call from Ellen's assistant. She said that Ellen loved the Equicizer so much she went backstage and hopped on it during a break in the taping and said that she wanted to get one for her home. If you're reading this Ellen... we're still waiting on that phone call! 

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For more fun question and answers, check back in two weeks for Part 2! 

by Kayla Jarvinen

www.equicizer.com

A Wooden Milestone

Keeping with our recent throwback theme (have you seen these vintage videos we recently uncovered, featuring interviews with Equicizer creator Frankie Lovato during his racing career?), today we have another fun blast to the past: our 500th Equicizer! 

First, some backstory. Frankie built his 500th Equicizer in 2006. It was extra special for a couple of reasons. Frankie had just moved his Equicizer operation from his Long Island single car garage to a  rented workshop in an effort to increase his manufacturing capabilities to meet the rising demand for Equicizers. Over the span of 17 years he had built around 400 Equicizers in his tiny garage while maintaining a full time career as a professional jockey and this specific Equicizer was one of close to 100 that he built in that first year of moving into the bigger space. In many ways, it represented the growth that was taking place within the business. 

Triple Crown winning jockey, Mike Smith, visited Frankie's
NY workshop in 2006 for an Equicizer photo shoot.
Shown here aboard none other than #500.

That aside, it was also Frankie's 500th Equicizer ever built, which was, in and of itself, a monumental milestone. 

Due to the sentimental value, Frankie decided he would keep this Equicizer and use it as a demo model. Around this time Frankie moved his family and his business to his late wife, Sandy's, home town of Norwalk, Ohio. The 500th Equicizer came with them and shortly after accompanied them to PATH International's (the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) national conference. 

Equicizer #500 was used as a demo during
PATH International's national conference in 2006.

Around that time Frankie received a call from the Jockey's Guild, a major organization dedicated to the representation of professional jockeys in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. They were planning to hold a fundraiser and wanted an Equicizer there. What would be the possibility of purchasing one immediately? Absolutely none. Zero. Zilch. It just wasn't possible. 

Frankie was back ordered as usual and even if he could have moved them up to the front of his building queue, he still wouldn't have been able to make a brand new Equicizer in time. Unless... he did have his 500th that was being used as a demo... after some internal conflict, Frankie made the decision to part ways with his 500th Equicizer. It was, after all, going to an undeniably good cause in the sport that had given him so much including the customer base that had launched his career as a business owner building Equicizers. 

Current and past top jockeys from around the country
gather around the Churchill Downs Equicizer (#500) for a photo.

The decision was made, the fundraiser was held and Churchill Downs Racetrack came out on top as the winning bidder. Frankie and Sandy personally delivered the Equicizer to the Churchill Downs Jockeys' Room, up the escalator and all (how we would have loved some footage of that!). 

"I remember building my 100th Equicizer in the early 90's, then my 200th in the mid 90's and finally approaching number 500," recalls Frankie. "These milestones meant a lot to me. Every horse I've ever made I've numbered so it was exciting for me knowing I would be getting close to the next milestone. My dream was to someday have a real workshop. To spread out, have all my work stations with other craftsmen working for me. I wanted to someday have an office and showroom where people could come see and try my horses. 

At the time, that dream was out of reach, so I made do with what I had which was my little garage, then the workshop I rented and now my very own space right in my backyard here in Ohio. Looking back, I am very proud to have made all of that happen."

We have some awesome photos of recent Triple Crown winning jockeys - Victor Espinoza and Mike Smith - warming up on the Churchill Downs Equicizer prior to their Derby wins. Churchill Downs also uses their Equicizer for various public events at the racetrack. 

Triple Crown winning jockeys Mike Smith (left) and Victor Espinoza (right) warming up aboard the Churchill Downs Equicizer, #500. They both went on to win horse racing's Triple Crown in 2018 and 2015, respectively.

We recently received this video from Clerk of Scales Javier Torres, of jockey Jack Gilligan warming up on Equicizer #500 before a race at Churchill Downs... and it's still going strong.

by Kayla Jarvinen

www.equicizer.com