Letter From an Equicizer Owner -

A couple of weeks ago we received the following heartfelt letter from a recent Equicizer owner. It touched our hearts so much, we couldn't help but share it with you - our friends and supporters - with Susan's permission. 

                                                                                                                  July 30, 2018

Dear Frankie,

Start to finish - the experience of ordering and all the way to receiving my Equicizer Lucky Star was a totally enjoyable experience. Your customer service is excellent & I thank you for patiently answering all my questions & concerns. The freight company was also excellent too. The driver even pulled as far as he could do so comfortably for him into my driveway and then used a hand truck to bring my Equicizer near my front door. This actually made his leaving my area easier - although I don't think the driver knew that.

I meant to write much sooner to say how delighted & pleased I am with Lucky Star. However, now I can give you a much, much better report on how much Lucky Star has already provided for me, and my mother.

Thank you for the video on YouTube with the doctor talking about how beneficial an Equicizer is for a person with osteoporosis. My mother is 87. I showed her the video. She rides Lucky Star a few minutes a day. She says she is amazed at how she, in just a few weeks - less than a month even - now has so much less pain in her lower back and feels like her balance is improving. What a wonderful surprise benefit that the horse provided (that you provided by making this for me - and us). Thank you so much 😊

After having the Equicizer about 3 weeks we went on a vacation for a week where I got to go riding on hilly trails for 2 hours a day. We had just been there in May so I got a good comparison of the difference it made in the quality of my riding.

When Lucky Star arrived, I watched the videos which Ruth Hogan Poulsen and Jane Savoie made and did my best to implement what they said to do. I was only able to ride Lucky Star 10-22 minutes a day - usually closer to 10. So of course I was surprised and amazed at what a huge difference it made when I got on a live horse. I was a lot more physically relaxed and able to simply follow the movement of the horse with my seat. Normally, I would really feel my legs being sore by the end of the two hour ride (walk, trot, canter). This time I was not sore at all. It could be better described as simply feeling wonderful - with endorphins coursing through my body. I was eager to ride more. 

One immediate benefit the Equicizer provided me was a vast improvement in my posture - even when not on my indoor horse. Thank you for helping me to improve my posture - in general. My balance was tested during the 10 hours of riding, with the horses doing what horses may sometimes do: It seemed like one to two times each ride my balance was tested by something that could have unseated me or at the very least left me feeling anxious or more tense or nervous. 

I had 2 different horses spook from being startled. One horse bucked because of a mean horsefly who bit him (in spite of the fly spray).  One horse stumbled - (this could have been my fault as I am still a novice going up and down slopes). One horse pivoted 90 degrees to the left to avoid a kick from the horse in front of him, we actually pivoted into the horse's chest who was behind us. The final test was when my horse decided to jump the ditch we were crossing. It was about 2 feet up! 

I am so proud of myself that because of the Equicizer, and the videos, I was able to take each of those in stride and not be flustered, nervous, after them.

Also, a huge benefit provided by the Equicizer to me is that I am finally able to really "get" the concept AND do it - of consistent steady contact on the bit. This was also critical as I never lost control of my horse - even if I momentarily lost contact.

The final thing I will mention is that I received a high praise compliment. The one guide was watching me do the rising trot - she told me I have a really good seat and asked if I had been taking lessons. I told her no, I got my Equicizer. She told me that their horse vet has one in her office and that she wants one. I said that the riding place could get one. So she told the woman who owns the place that I have a good seat, am a good rider & I have an Equicizer. I am putting a brochure that you provided in the mail to her today, as I told her I would do. 

I am so very grateful and full of appreciation for you creating these and that you built me one too. Thank you for helping me become the rider I have always wanted to be - I know that as I continue to ride it & do the stretches on it (like the other video showed) that I will continue to improve, and become a great rider. You have absolutely exceeded my expectations - I am more excited than ever about riding horses. I feel as though I have been given an exceedingly valuable and priceless gift. Words are failing to express how much I appreciate what you have provided for me with Lucky Star.

I thank you. My mother thanks you.

Susan P. 

Deborah & Winston - Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun - Part 3

*Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun* 

These four things are the pillars identified by Wooden Horse Wednesday's woman in the spot light for the past few weeks. 

Back in late April, Kayla introduced you to an inspirational woman named Deborah Herbert who was just beginning a journey with her Equicizer, Winston. In the months since, she has been sharing her story which we have recapped for you in a short blog series. Today we will take a look at what happened through July and identify key takeaways. We sincerely hope you will continue following along with this inspiring woman.

https://50plusequestrian.com

July 2018

Deborah opens up the month of July with a story about two lessons she had on her AQHA mare, Belle. The first went very well. The second... not so much. Deborah describes a moment where Belle's "check engine light" came on, meaning that it was obvious something was wrong. Fortunately, the saddle fitter was just arriving to check Belle's saddle fit and do some body work. The horse was indeed sore and the saddle needed some work. Deborah says,

Folks….please listen to your horses!

A great support team includes not only your trainer, your vet, and the right farrier….but also your saddle fitter, bodyworker and chiropractor.

So Deborah took the weekend "off" and then returned to riding Monday on her other faithful mount, Winston. One of the many perks of an Equicizer is that they aren't much bothered by poor saddle fit and your friendly neighborhood equine chiropractor will probably benefit more from riding an Equicizer than adjusting him! 

Deborah had a few rides on Winston and one on Belle, and it's very interesting to see the difference when you get your body moving! Who ever said riding isn't a sport was WRONG!

Image 1: Deborah's day at the mall.
Image 2: A ride on Winston.
Image 3: A ride on Belle and a ride on Winston!

It’s pretty simple….healthy fuel, healthy relationships, fitness that’s fun….and Faith.

I would be remiss to recap Deborah's July posts without including some of her artwork. Notably, she painted a beautiful picture of Kayla's (Wooden Horse Corp's Office Manager) horse, Shorty! Deborah is a very talented artist. 

Shorty

Deborah closed out July with thoughts on transition work both on her horse and her Equicizer. Transition work can be very helpful to focus a horse. Unfortunately, not even transition work or "focusing" was enough for Belle as of Deborah's last ride. She is in pain and will need another significant amount of time off. In the meantime, we will follow along with Deborah as she rides Winston and she also has a lesson planned on a warmblood named Decor!

Every ride on Winston is productive!

I’m going to smile, and be the best rider I know how to be. 

 We are cheering for you, Deborah, and wishing the best for your Belle.

Key Takeaways

• Safety



Not too many people can
safely use weights & ride
a horse but you don't need
to steer an Equicizer!



• When we first joined up with Deborah, she was facing mental barriers from an old accident as well as from not having ridden in many months. She was also recovering from an injury of her own as her mare recovered. The Equicizer creates a safe, controlled riding environment where the rider can have a chance to rebuild their confidence and their muscle strength. 
• Remember when Deborah had her friends' kids over to meet the newly hatched chicks? The kids were so interested in the horses and, again, the "horse in the living room" was there to create a safe environment for the little girls to develop good habits and learn.

• Pace


• A lot of times when someone says you can "set your own pace", people might think of being able to go slow. It is very true that you can start out as slow as you like on the Equicizer. However, with Deborah we are able to see a more advanced rider setting a more intense pace. She does half halts, transitions, walk/trot/canter, and much more on her Winston. The Equicizer can provide as much therapy and exercise as you need and want!

• Versatility



No getting rained out on an Equicizer!



• Deborah fondly refers to Winston as "the horse in the living room". During summer rains, she was riding... inside! No indoor arena needed to maintain your riding schedule with an Equicizer in the house or barn. She even watched the Belmont stakes while riding!
• English, Western, therapy... you name it and your Equicizer can do it. Deborah is an accomplished Western Dressage rider and Winston came ready to rock and roll with her discipline.

• Efficacy


• It's very easy to see from the heart rate monitor that riding Winston and riding Belle both raised Deborah's heart rate and provided a significant cardio workout. In addition, the Wooden Horse allows you the opportunity to see yourself in a mirror or video and then adjust your position or hands in realtime. You can do exercises that might seem ridiculous on a real horse to encourage your body to be strong and even.

A very special thank you to Deborah Herbert for creating this blog and showing how much the Equicizer has become a part of her life and her riding career. We just love reading along and hearing about your rides with Belle, your amazing food ideas, and your special projects and other adventures.

The goal of this Wooden Horse Wednesday blog series was to get you caught up on Deborah’s journey and encourage you to follow along with her! While the recap gave“hit the high notes”, be sure to check out her blog page for more pictures, videos, healthy eating advice, and detail! We just love her narrative style as it shows her fun, quirky, and positive personality.

www.equicizer.com

Compiled by Amanda Elia

Deborah & Winston - Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun - Part 2

*Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun* 

Part Two

Just last week, we hearkened back to Kayla's post introducing Deborah Herbert and also Deborah's blog, The 50+ Equestrian. We then recapped Deborah's first month with her Equicizer, Winston, and saw the exciting progress she was making. 

The goal of this Wooden Horse Wednesday blog series is to get you caught up on Deborah’s journey and encourage you to follow along directly with her! While the recap here will “hit the high notes”, be sure to check out her blog page for more pictures, videos, healthy eating advice, and detail! We just love her narrative style as it shows her fun, quirky, and positive personality.

May 2018

Deborah begins the month of May with some speculations about what effect a workout on Winston has in comparison to a workout on her "AQHA princess", Belle. While there is plenty of evidence that both horses have stolen her heart, more specifically she was interested in what they did to her heart rate. Deborah employed her fitness tracker and tracked herself riding Belle at a walk and sitting trot... then riding Winston at a trot (with some posting) and canter. Deborah noticed that her heart rate increased and peaked in similar ways on Winston that it did with her mare, yet the workout on Winston was more vigorous.

The first peak is with Belle. The second is on Winston.

Deborah notes that the increased rate during her ride on Belle actually starts about an hour before the lesson. This could be attributed to the anxiety she carries when riding "real" horses ever since her accident. After noticing this evidence on the fitness tracker app, she took it upon herself to meditate on a Bible verse and take that verse in her heart to the lesson the following day rather than carrying the burden of anxiety.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

You can see the clear difference from the first riding lesson on Belle that she tracked to the next. While there is still a pre-ride spike, Deborah's consciousness and faith allowed her to be in control of the anxiety. Besides the fact that the pre-ride anxiety spike is noticeably absent on Winston, Deborah noticed another difference between her living room workouts and her arena workouts: 

I also recorded my footsteps, started my ride in the evening at 8590 steps, after my 30 minute session with Winston it was up to 11,646…a difference of 3050 added during my workout!

In conjunction with the health benefits - mental and physical - of riding, Deborah touches on the ways that eating better has impacted her entire household. Not only does she feel much healthier, but her husband was able to lose weight and avoid being put on insulin, and her mare Belle even gets benefit out of a healthy concoction Deborah cooks up for her each day.

Progressing through the month saw one little set back for Deborah. Mini horse Caspian was trying to get in on Belle's belly rub and, when Belle went to give him a warning bite, she caught Deborah on the leg instead. OUCH! Luckily Deborah had Winston there for her to hop on to test out the injury before getting back on Belle.

Swinging up in the saddle on Winston Saturday was not only a safe test of whether I should ride, but also a gentle, then gradually more rigorous work out between my lessons.

In May, Deborah made a creative adjustment to her training regimen in response to the rainy spring weather in Florida. She started using weights with Winston! She made a very cool video showing some of the basic workouts she developed with the weights and how she first masters them without the horse's movement. Then she challenges herself to remain balanced as she completes the same maneuvers with the weights while the horse is in motion.

Weights & Winston... a winning alliteration!

We love that Deborah is pointing out here one of the most appealing elements of the Equicizer. It's a workout your way and it does not matter what the weather is doing! You can ride it while watching TV and do different exercises during each commercial! It doesn't matter if it's raining, snowing, or just unbearably hot outside. You can always enjoy a workout on the Equicizer from the comfort of your home.

Hubby says I am going to wear poor Winston out.

I secretly think Winston really isn’t concerned…we’re having too much fun!

The end of May saw a rough patch for Belle. She came in with some hives after some particularly heavy rain. The suspect? Ground wasps. Luckily she is was still eating well and responded great to a holistic treatment. 

June 2018

 The month of June came with more tough weather - heat and rain - and the onset of hurricane season! When the forecast is gloomy, Deborah has no fear that she will have the opportunity for a workout.

I can ride in my pjs or after I’ve sloshed through the yard back from cleaning the barn. Yay!!! He doesn’t care, and he doesn’t get crabby!

Deborah had the opportunity to invite a few friends over and they gave her some feedback on Winston. One rider is an equine/human physical therapist and the other is a licensed psychologist who works with riders and is working toward a silver medal in dressage. They said:

Winston has amazingly authentic gaits ! Perfect to facilitate or maintain riders muscle memory from beginners to advanced . Practice upper level moves even when you don’t have an upper level horse ! Lots of fun.

I was pleased to meet her patient and SAFE riding exercise partner and quickly learned he was a real workout. Winston requires the use of my core muscles to move and a non-restricting hand to keep him going. With Deb’s guidance I was able to experience walk, trot and canter, as well as feel how to keep my arms and legs independent from my seat. Winston was also very sensitive to any changes in the rhythm of my seat or lifting my seat from the saddle. He was also a real tattle tale if my rein contact became inconsistent. In about 10 minutes I was sweating and 20 was all I could handle. Winston was a fun and instructive way to stay in condition for riding.

As we all know, June also brought about the very exciting win for Justify and jockey Mike Smith at the Belmont Stakes. Deborah writes that she watched from atop Winston and cheered as the pair made their Triple Crown winning victory. 

Deborah joked with her trainer that her mare seems to go out of her way to get out of work. Belle came in once with a mysterious scrape that put her off work for a few days. Later in the month, she came in a little colicky and Deborah spent the night out in the barn checking in on her. She pulled through okay and Deborah had a chance to work on this beautiful new painting!

Click here to see more

After a workout at LA Fitness with her daughter, Deborah's suspicion that her left side is weaker was confirmed by the trainer. She was able to have a productive workout and she even picked up a few targeted exercises to incorporate into her workouts with Winston. Another exciting moment was having the Alpha Dressage Association GMO Club stop by and check out the horse in the living room! Everyone took their turn riding Winston and was impressed.

I LOVE my Equicizer! (He’s a party animal!)

Check back with us next week for Part Three of this special three part series!

By Amanda Elia

www.equicizer.com 

Deborah & Winston - Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun - Part 1

*Faith, Family, Fitness, Fun* 

These four things are the pillars identified by this week's Wooden Horse Wednesday woman in the spot light for the next few weeks. 

Back in late April, Kayla introduced you to an inspirational woman named Deborah Herbert who was just beginning a journey with her Equicizer, Winston. In the months since, she has been sharing her story and we will recap it for you in a short blog series. As far as the background info (in case you missed it), here is a quick rundown:

• ·        Who? Deborah is a “50+” equestrian from sunny Florida. She is an equine artist (Hearthstone Studio), art education consultant, grant writer, and so much more! Until her injury, she was actively competing with her American Quarter Horse mare, Belle, in Level 3 Western Dressage. 

  

  Deborah and Winston in her home.

• ·        What? Deborah started a blog call “The50PlusEquestrian” to chronicle her journey back to competition-level fitness with her Equicizer, Winston. Her blog is an engaging look into her spiritual, emotional, and physical journey back to (and hopefully past!) the place she started when he arrived. As of late March, Deborah hadn’t ridden in six months, had broken her wrist three months prior, and was suffering from increasing anxiety over getting back in the saddle with every day that her mare was laid up with an injury of her own. 

  

  https://50plusequestrian.com/

• ·        How? Deborah originally got in contact with us hoping to find a used Equicizer. We were honest with her in replying that used Equicizers are very hard to come by. People generally hold on tight once they get one! That said, the stars aligned so that she was able to find a used Equicizer in Ohio and arranged for it to be transported to the Equicizer workshop. We packed it up and shipped it to her in Florida. 

  

  Winston and Beau the black lab.

• ·        Why? While Deborah’s goal of regaining her mental and physical competitive edge is a very clear one, there are many more “whys” in play. The answer to why she chose the Equicizer over strictly doing traditional physical therapy or exercise, is because there is nothing else that can so closely replicate the motion of a real horse and the muscle movements needed to ride effectively while also providing safety. You can work at your own pace, ensure safety, and not worry about training or untraining the horse.

The goal of this Wooden Horse Wednesday blog series is to get you caught up on Deborah’s journey and encourage you to follow along with her! While the recap here will “hit the high notes”, be sure to check out her blog page for more pictures, videos, healthy eating advice, and detail! We just love her narrative style as it shows her fun, quirky, and positive personality.

April 2018

So of course the first step of the process was the arrival of Deborah’s (in her words) dreamy buckskin. After some help from the kind-hearted delivery driver with getting the package up her driveway toward the house, Deborah was able to unpack, assemble, and get Winston in his stall…er…her living room, in 20 minutes!

Winston, you were worth the wait!

In the next installment of her blog, she writes of having developed a 30 minute workout regimen on the Equicizer after some good stretching. Deborah was kind enough to mention how the videos found on Equicizer.com were of great help to her as she learned to ride Winston. She also spoke of her fondness for the Equicizer Elastic Rein Attachments.

These little elastic wonders create that magical feeling, when reins are gathered up, with contact, a correct seat, following hands, stacked core, lower back strong yet supple….of an honest to goodness... REAL half halt!

By the time we reach mid-April, Deborah had posted about what an amazing impact eating mindfully and organically has had on her body. Warning: Don’t read this post if you are hungry! Likewise, she writes of noticing a substantial difference in her fitness since having the Equicizer to exercise on. Where regular exercise is a chore, riding Winston is a pleasure. She says,

In the month I’ve had the “horse in the house”…I can already tell a big difference. A difference in my attitude, my body and my joy, because although I AM exercising and eating right…I’m having fun doing it.

As April comes to a close, Deborah has us laughing alongside her as two little girls visit her home. She was able to divert their attention from the horse in the barn to the horse… in the house!! The Equicizer provided a safe and calm learning environment for the girls and for Deborah. 

Two adorable little girls took turns clambering like squirrels up onto Winston, held reins correctly, walked and trotted with perfect transitions and no rein snatching. What a joy!

Next we hear about Deborah’s progress with her mare, Belle, who had needed some time off. Fortunately, Deborah has a great trainer whom she trusts to both challenge her and gently guide her through her return to competition with Belle. One of her greatest hurdles, stemming from an accident years ago, is anxiety and this is not at all an uncommon issue for many equestrians. Again, this is where the Equicizer can provide a safe and calm environment to build confidence. It works for the beginners who were visiting the house and it works for Deborah who is a Level 3 Western Dressage competitor!

Winston is helping me rehab my body back into rider fitness, and I’m enjoying myself!

For today, our parting gift is this fun video Deborah made. You can really tell how fond she is of her "horse in the house"!

Check back with us next week for Part Two of this special three part series!

By Amanda Elia

www.equicizer.com

Equicizer Model Comparison

If you've been reading our blog, there's a good chance you're at least slightly familiar with who we are and what we do. You've probably checked out our main product - the Equicizer - in our online store and you might even be aware that we make two Equicizer models, the Equicizer Classic and the Equicizer Elite. By far one of the most common questions that we get asked in inquiries from prospective customers is what the difference is between our Classic and Elite models. 

Do they function the same? 

Are they the same size? 

Why are they priced differently? 

These are all great questions and those of you who own an Equicizer or follow our blog and social media may be familiar with the differences between the two models but I'd go so far as to guess that some of our customers and many of our supporters are not completely acquainted with all of the nuanced differences between the two models. Today we're going to cover the things that make both of our models uniquely different.

First, some similarities: 

• Both of our Equicizer models are entirely hand crafted by Frankie Lovato. The quality and durability of the materials used are identical and the building processes for both are very similar (keeping in mind the additional customization that comes with the Elite). 
• Every Equicizer can support up to 500lbs.
• All Equicizers come with the option of Short, Medium or Long mane.
• Customers also get their style rein of choice - English, Western, Therapy or Racing.
• Each Equicizer comes with our Indoor MedCasters or the All Terrain Wheels, which are better suited for outdoor use.
• We offer a $450 flat rate shipping fee to anywhere in the continental USA no matter which model you purchase.

Now the differences:

Body Color:

The Classic is available in only Black or Brown/Bay. The Elite comes in Black, Brown/Bay, Brown/Sorrel, Buckskin, Gray or Palomino. 

Mane & Tail

We offer a black mane and tail for our Classic model. The Elite mane and tails compliment the body color that the customer chooses but are customizable to allow for a wide range of variety. You can see the variation in color available shown on our color chart below.

Facial Markings:

Both our Classic and Elite model heads are made from a select grade pine grown in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Elite model offers a head that is fully hand carved by Equicizer creator Frankie Lovato, which includes the eyes and nostrils. Once the carving is complete, the painting and finishing process begins. Customers have the option to request custom facial markings on their Elite Equicizer and many send photos of their beloved (or ideal!) horse to base them off of. Again, Frankie Lovato himself airbrushes the custom facial markings on each Elite and applies the finishing accents and clear coat to each Equicizer revealing a beautiful wood grain finish. Custom facial markings are not offered on the Classic model but each head is still hand carved by Frankie and given a smooth, sleek finish.

Nameplate

A personalized nameplate is another perk that comes with our Elite Equicizer model. Customers often enjoy naming their Equicizer after their favorite horse, real or imaginary, and many schools/programs who purchase their Equicizer with the help of a grant or donor, will include the sponsor's name on the plate in a continuous display of gratitude. The Classic model does come with a nameplate but it is not personalized. Customers who buy the Classic do have the option of purchasing a personalized nameplate in our online store.

Side Rails

Our Classic models come with solid black, metal side rails versus the sturdy wooden running boards made of solid oak that accompany each Elite model.

Warranty

Finally, both of our Equicizer models come with a warranty, which is extended considerably on the Elite model. This warranty applies to both springs and neck bands, the only parts that may need replacing. The average lifespan of these parts is around 5-10 years for the bands and 10-20 years for the springs and while we have many Equicizers that are 20+ years old and have never needed any replacement parts, a band or spring does occasionally go sooner than expected (for one reason or another) and we do all that we can to make sure you're covered if this happens. 

Our Classic model includes a 3 year warranty on springs and neck bands for personal use, 18 months for schools, programs etc. where being used by multiple riders. 

Our Elite model includes a 10 year extended warranty on springs and neck bands for personal use, 5 years for schools, programs etc. where being used by multiple riders.

~~~~~~~~~

Both of our Equicizer models are made with great care. Aside from the added perks outlined above, the Elite model does take a great deal longer to build because of the extra attention to the finer details that are required, and this necessitates the price difference between the two. A lot of our customers love the extra involvement in the building process that the Elite allows for and the more elegant look of the finished product. The Classic, however, is a great option in it's own right - functioning the same as the Elite - and offering a sporty look for those that do not need the more refined look of the Elite model. We would be happy to personally answer any additional questions not covered here. Please send us an email at info@equicizer.com or give us a call, 419-663-1472.

Look out for the answers to some common questions about the Equicizer, including our building and shipping process, in an upcoming Wooden Horse Wednesday!

by Kayla Jarvinen

www.equicizer.com

Meet the Equicizer Team! - Amanda Elia

This week marks the third installment of our "Meet the Equicizer Team" series!

Amanda Elia

Director of Social Media

Churchill Downs, June 2017

Amanda is from the North coast of Ohio and was born in the same city where the Equicizer workshop is located, Norwalk! Her experience with horses dates back farther than she can even remember. This lifelong love was nurtured by lessons on her aunt's Appaloosas, riding lessons, volunteering at various barns, friends offering their horses, and finally at age 15, a horse of her own. Amanda was very active in high school in National Honor Society, college classes, track and field, and of course 4H! After high school, she went on to earn her BA in English with a focus on writing and a minor in Spanish Language at the University of Toledo. After college she worked as a writer for a while before falling into what she calls her "accidental career" in healthcare. Currently, Amanda manages a family medicine practice near Cleveland in addition to her work with Wooden Horse Corporation.

Where did you grow up?  

I grew up in Huron, Ohio, which is just about dead center along the northern edge of the state. For all but three years of my life, I lived in a house on the south side of town with a cornfield in my backyard. Beyond the cornfield there were woods and behind one row of houses, there was a valley separated by a crick lined by willow trees! It was a quiet, idyllic, happy place to grow up!

I couldn't say "Marcella"
so Marella it was!

What is your earliest memory?  
One of my earliest memories is sitting on the big hill in front of our first home. I would sit there with my mom and wait for my dad to come home from work. For some reason, I named it the "Miss Marella" hill after a duck from one of my (many) favorite childhood books about a duck that paints the moon.

Did you have any pets as a child?  What kind?

Jasmine

My first pet was a cat I named Jasmine after the Disney Princess, of course. I had many cats, a hamster, an African Clawed frog, fish, birds, and a dog named Moose, I was also famous for insisting on nurturing various wild animals back to health including a dove we named Tess and a robin.

What did you do during the summertime?

Growing up in Northern Ohio, I had Lake Erie a few blocks north of home and endless woods and fields all around me. I loved to swim (I could swim before I could walk), lay on the beach, walk through the woods, fish, and of course go to Cedar Point! We also had a zoo membership and went often.

Grandpa Ralph

Who was the most influential person to you as a child?

I could write a book on the influence of my parents, but besides the two of them, one of the most influential people on me was my Grandpa Ralph. He always made me feel like I was the absolute apple of his eye. He was proud of everything I did and always made me feel special. On a more somber note, losing him when I was six taught me about grief and the value of appreciating the time you have with your family members. I think losing him made me appreciate my other grandparents even more.

Who was your best friend?  Are you still in touch with them?

Lindsay & I at my
wedding at Nickajack Farms

My best friend was and still is Lindsay. We were inseparable and many people thought we were sisters. Though we went to different colleges and she lives in Cincinnati now, we will always be best friends. She was the matron of honor in my wedding last August.

What is your definition of “happiness”?

Being around horses! There is so much value in the activities we enjoy "unplugged". I love that horses give me so much time to connect with nature.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What spare time? Kidding. I love to travel with my husband, Eric, read, exercise, ride, and garden. I still actively compete with Chester in English Pleasure and speed classes. Since we were married last August, Eric and I have traveled to Jamaica, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Over the next year, we have plans to visit Houston, Toronto, and the Bahamas.

What equine in your lifetime made the biggest impact on you and why?

The first time I met
Chester at his old home.

As mentioned earlier, I got my horse Chester when I was 15. A few years prior, I had actually been banned from asking for a horse because my parents felt bad that was not something they could give me. My mom had told me to pray for one because God was the only one who could provide that. Well, He did! My dad came home from work one day and said his boss was looking to re-home her own horse's pasture companion as she was moving to full board. My parents discussed it and said I would have to pay the expenses. I readily agreed, met Chester, fell in love, and found a boarding farm just down the road that only charged 75$/month! I went to Mexico on a mission trip and my parents said they'd decide by the time I got home. I came home from Mexico on my 15th birthday and they suggested we stop out to the boarding facility to check it out. I was bummed they hadn't made up their minds and became agitated when my dad just strolled out into the pasture, telling him he couldn't just make himself at home! My mom grabbed my arm and pointed saying, "Amanda look at the horse he is walking toward". They had gotten Chester for me when I was away... the rest is history!

What horseman made the biggest impact on your riding/horsemanship and why?

Dumplin & me at County Fair

Being that Chester was a 7 year old OTTB who had just had 2 years of turnout, our first year or two together was quite rough. Joining 4H was the best thing I ever did. In addition to the support of other leaders, I linked up with a trainer named Wendy who took me under her wing and transformed me as a rider. I also showed her mare, a TWH named Copy's Apple Dumplin. The combination of being able to learn on her mare and my own horse really helped me make strides (no pun intended) in Chester's training. I still love catching up with her and consider her the most influential person on my competitive career.

How did you become a part of Wooden Horse Corporation?

My brother helped on a construction job for Frankie and linked us up!

What is it like working in the Wooden Horse Corporation office?

I typically work remotely, but I treasure the quarterly in-office check-ins because spending time with Frankie and Kayla in person is so fun! When the three of us get together, we really get on a role with ideas and planning. Moreover, the office is a great place in and of itself. If you are in the area, I recommend making an appointment to check it out. There is lots of history there and fun things to see!

What do you think the future holds for Wooden Horse Corporation?

The future is very bright for WHC! Without giving too much away, there are so many cool new directions the Equicizer will be going in the next 5 years.

www.equicizer.com