New Names and Price Increase for 2010

Your Wooden Horse Corporation is excited to jump into 2010 by announcing the re-naming of our Equicizer models, a cosmetic improvement to the face of our equine, and notifying you of our price increase.
 
NEW NAMES
The popular G1 model's new name is "Elite", reflecting all of the personal enhancements that you choose from to really make the equine reflect you. The G2 model's new name is "Classic", reflecting the classic, streamlined lines of our gorgeous horse. The G3 model's new name is "Original", reflecting on the heritage of where the Equicizer started in horse racing and jockeys training.

COSMETIC IMPROVEMENT
The new models cosmetic improvement now includes a more realistic, leather ear which blends beautifully with the already personalized, hand carved face. Below is a picture of the new ears on our Elite series.

PRICE INCREASE
It is our commitment to keep our products affordable and cost efficient so that our clients are able to utilize the Equicizer for their improvement, therapy, and pleasure. Fortunately, for the past 9 years, we have strived and accomplished maintaining a consistent price from year to year, only raising by $100 once. Unfortunately, we have been experiencing such a price increase from our suppliers that we must raise our prices.

The good news is we now have more options to help you with purchasing an Equicizer. We have established a Layaway Program to help with budgeting and paying off a model and a Leasing Option for our business customers. Download our layaway agreement form here. Please contact us for more information on both of these programs!

Please note---The price increase does not affect any of the current orders processed or anyone that wishes to place their order prior to December 31, 2009. This would be a great time to get your order in! Remember the new layaway program could help lock in the 2009 price and still keep the payments within your means.

Below are the new titles of the models and their new price structure:

G1 will now be known as the Elite $2,800.00

G2 will now be known as the Classic $2,500.00

G3 will now be know as the Original $2,000.00

Equipony will remain the same name but the new price is $1,850.00

These new prices will go into effect on January 1, 2010.

As always, our beautiful, hand crafted horses are made out of quality products and with exceptional skill to provide you with a lifetime of riding.

Steve Lantvit Elected CHA's Riding Instructor Of The Year Award!

Frankie's Interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered

The study found that jockeys have adjusted their riding styles to minimize so-called inertial losses — the energy horses spend bouncing their riders up and down and forward and backward with each stride.

By placing motion sensors on jockeys and their mounts, a team from the Structure and Motion Laboratory at the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom showed that modern jockeys remain steady, even though their horses are bobbing up and down and rocking back and forth with each stride.

"The jockey's a bit like a person skiing down a mogul field," says Alan Wilson, a professor in locomotor biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College. "Their feet are going up and down, but their body is following a smooth path."

The result is that it's easier for a racehorse to carry a jockey than a sandbag of equal weight that's attached to the saddle, Wilson says.

The discovery emerged from research by Wilson and his team to figure out how much extra effort it takes for a racehorse to carry a jockey.

The team studied racing history and realized that jockeys in the U.K. radically changed their riding posture in the early 1900s. Instead of sitting upright in the saddle, they began to crouch and put their weight on the stirrups.

It turned out the new style had been developed by an American jockey named Tod Sloan.

"This guy Sloan moved to the U.K. in 1897 and started riding horses in that way here," Wilson says. As other jockeys copied the technique over the next decade, he says, winning race times decreased by more than 5 percent.

And ever since then, jockeys have been refining the crouch posture, says Frank Lovato Jr., 46, a U.S. jockey who rode in more than 15,000 races before retiring a few years ago.

"In the 1930s and 1940s, jockeys rode with shorter and shorter stirrups and found that it was a more effective way to make a horse run faster," Lovato says.

And these days, he says, they study high-definition video of races to improve their technique.

"While the horse is running underneath you, you're basically trying to be weightless on top of their back," Lovato says.

That has made horse racing a lot more demanding for jockeys, whose legs and arms work like pistons for the entire race. Studies show a jockey's heart rate can hit 180 beats per minute.

So jockeys spend a lot more time on physical training than they used to, Lovato says.

Many do that using something Lovato invented when he was recovering from a racing injury. It's an artificial horse called the Equicizer that uses springs to simulate the motion of a horse.

Lovato, who lives in Norwalk, Ohio, these days, says training on devices like the Equicizer enable jockeys to maintain their form for an entire race.

"Twenty years ago, you'd see a lot more riders with their butts bouncing off the saddle" late in a race, Lovato says. "Nowadays, riders are holding their posture a lot longer."

Tommy Garland and his CPR Horsemanship Join with the Equicizer!

The Equicizer, A Winning Ride

(courtesy of Equestrian Network Magazine)

Equicizer: A Winning Ride
by Lori K. Black
 
The extraordinary horses of Frank Lovato, Jr. can be found at some of the most prestigious Thoroughbred racetracks in the country... though they have never been witnessed thundering down the homestretch or exhaling frosty plumes during crisp early-morning workouts.    
 
They aid English and Western equestrians in refining their riding seat, finding their center of balance,

and developing their strength... yet they have neither left a single hoofprint in the sand of an arena nor accepted a sugar cube as a reward.
 
But most significantly, Lovato's 'horses' - hand-crafted mechanical steeds called "Equicizers" (and "Equiponies," the smaller model) - have provided joy and an imaginative means of therapy for children and adults with varied physical or developmental disabilities.
 
The first Equicizer was born when Lovato, an Eclipse Award-winning jockey and 25-year veteran of Thoroughbred racing, suffered a debilitating injury on the track and created the non-motorized horse as a means of rehabilitating himself and regaining his strength. Other jockeys admired the one-of-a-kind invention and were soon placing requests with Lovato for their own Equicizers.
 
Eventually they began finding homes at racetracks, riding academies, museums, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, individuals' residences, and even movie sites - They were utilized in the filming of close-up action scenes for the 2003 motion picture "Seabiscuit."
 
With its handsome sculpted head, realistic mane, and softly padded utilitarian body suspended above metal framework, an Equicizer more closely resembles an imaginatively rendered piece of artwork than an exercise machine. At first glance, it may inspire curiosity or skepticism.
 
No "bells and whistles" - These wooden spring-mounted horses are brought to life entirely through the manual effort of the rider or therapist. And when an Equicizer comes alive with motion, remarkable transformations occur in its rider.
 
Tense muscles begin to relax and stretch. A distracted mind becomes captivated. Apprehension is conquered by newfound confidence.
 
The benefits of therapeutic horseback riding have been recognized for decades. However, the Equicizer provides a safe, controlled means of extending the activity to those for whom it is not feasible to ride an actual horse.
 
An individual with multiple sclerosis comments, "Before my symptoms put me in a wheelchair, I was an avid equestrienne." Longing to be back in the saddle, she purchased an Equicizer and kept a diary of her progress: "Day 21: Finally! I can sit up on my own and ride for one to two minutes before resting. I'm even standing up in the stirrups for 30 seconds. Major victory!"
 
A staff member of Chastain Horse Park in Atlanta, Georgia, writes of a child who experienced his first Equicizer ride: "He has been very fearful around the (real) horses but LOVED the Equicizer. It was amazing to see how much he enjoyed it... He is autistic and I felt like we had a breakthrough today...More

Equine Affaire...An Affaire to Remember!

To My Friends and Family,

The video interview below is courtesy of RFD-TV and Craig Cameron.

Sandy and I just got back from the Equine Affaire Horse Expo with the Equicizers and we had an awesome show! Besides a great over all show for the all the organizers, exhibitors and attendees, there was a huge surprise bonus for us that still has me crawling out of my skin with excitement!
 
World renowned 'Cowboy's Clinician' and host of a popular TV show on RFD-TV (a satellite channel), Craig Cameron was at Equine Affaire. Widely known as 'The Public Defender of the Horse' Craig is on par with Pat Parelli and Monty Roberts and has millions of fans.

Well, Craig came over to our booth and completely fell in love with and endorsed the Equicizer! He told everyone at his clinic to go ride it, then he brought his camera crew over on Sunday and filmed a segment for his show called "Tack Tips" using the Equicizer!!  It will air in a month or so on RFD-TV!!! I am so excited!!

While we were filming, Craig interviewed me and highly recommended the Equicizer for people to work on their 'back to basics'  with their balance, hip motion and light hands etc... He also ordered an Equicizer for his ranch in TX and said he will place it in his clinics right away. This could only lead to great things down the road being associated with someone like Craig!!
 
Anyway, you can see how I am so very excited about this. I made a little slide show with highlights of the expo, click here to see it, and also take a moment to check out Craig Camerons website too!

Thanks everyone always for your love and support always.
Love and Happiness,
Frankie

Equicizer Provides Hope in Central Kentucky

Equicizer Provides Hope in Central Kentucky
Read this inspiring story of new technology helping children with special needs in Central Kentucky from WHAS Crusade For Children

Hippotherapy Equicizer
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) rider Sierra Pollard cheerfully demonstrates the new Equicizer! It was purchased through the generosity of WHAS Crusade for Children.

The first Equicizer was developed in 1982 by Eclipse Award winning Jockey/inventor Frank Lovato, Jr. He built himself a horse made of wood and springs to simulate riding as a means to rehabilitate himself from a badly fractured leg in a racing accident. Originally designed for jockeys to aid in developing strength, flexibility and balance, it didn't take long to realize its potential in benefiting other riding disciplines such as therapeutic programs for the disabled, sports medicine facilities and riding academies. Even the entertainment world joined its ranks when the Equicizer was used extensively during the filming of 'Seabiscuit'!

The Equicizer’s spring balanced suspension system recreates the natural forward movement of the horse. It is controlled entirely by the rider or therapist. Its motion intensity is completely dependent upon the child’s effort, strength and ability from their seat, legs and arms. Sierra is able to emulate the gentle, rocking motion of a horse at the walk. But, with increased interaction, she will be able to build the stride up to that of a galloping horse!

This unique tool will help children like Sierra stretch their muscles before class and during spot conditioning sessions with therapists. CKRH staff and instructors will also use it to evaluate rider progress off horseback and with rider intakes for initial class placements.

Equicizer & Equipony are Right at Home in Bermuda!

Test Ride the Equicizer at Equine Affaire!

TEST RIDE THE EQUICIZER AT EQUINE AFFAIRE!
 
NOVEMBER 8-11, 2007 
W. SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
 www.equineaffaire.com
 
Booth 910 & 911 in the Better Living Center
 
STRAIGHT A'S SUPPLY & RANCHCITY.COM
An authorized dealer of the Equicizer

Equicizer and Equipony Invited to 2007 Equine Affaire in Columbus Ohio!

Falling off in Their Studies

Students in new jockey training program learn to get back up on their horses and ride
By Maryjean Wall
HERALD-LEADER RACING WRITER

Jason Truett lay on his back in the dust, his legs sticking straight up in the air.

Talk about a bad day. Jockey school at the Kentucky Horse Park was no joy ride for Truett on this cold December afternoon.

But his ride wasn't over. Chris McCarron's new North American Racing Academy is no place for wimps. You get back on your horse when you fall off.

With McCarron beside him for encouragement, Truett returned to his mount, Deuce, and rode like the jockey he wants to be...click here to read the article in it's entirety and see all the extras like a very neat slide show too! Note: You may have to sign up for a free membership with the Hearald Leader.

Museum Celebrates Loudoun's Genuine Risk Saturday

From Racehorse to Therapy Horse – A New Career for a Star

Mechanical Horse, The Equicizer, Is The Solution For This Texas Family

Mechanical Horse, The Equicizer, Is The Solution For This Texas Family
By Myrna Flores

Clarissa aboard Lupita (Click the image to see the rest of Clarissas pictures)

 
Clarissa is my 9-year-old daughter who was diagnosed at the age of 6 months with a rare disorder call Severe Combined Immuno Deficiency (SCID).  She underwent a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) which gave her a second chance in Life. But unfortunately, a couple of days before the BMT, she suffered a severe aspiration pneumonitis syndrome that was associated with a cardio respiratory distress and arrest.  Clarissa was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, developmental delays, nonverbal, and swallowing problems resulting in g-tube placement.
 
Clarissa has been making great improvements over the years with different therapies including traditional Physical, Occupational, Speech, Massage, Neuro Developmental, and Horseback Riding Therapy. Clarissa has also received a series of (HBOT) Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments in Florida at the Ocean Hyperbaric Center (over 250 treatments). She has a lot of motivation to learn to read, write and walk.  She eats by mouth (the g-tube has been removed - her favorite snack is french fries) and it is a joy to see her eat again!  Her vision improved drastically she now can read small print.  She can talk now.  She is very smart! She likes to go to school.

Clarrissa's most recent problem at this time is her hips(they are coming out).   Since she was one year old her hips started to sublex (out of the socket R40 & L50 degrees).  At the time she was medically fragile and had problems with anesthesia.  Surgery was avoided.  She has had intensive physical therapy and HBOT to prevent hip dislocation.  Clarissa is older and having more hip problems. Her hip sockets are very shallow (undeveloped).

Her Orthopedic Doctor had recommended muscle lengthening to release the pain on her hips and more important prevent hip dislocation. He also recommended horseback therapy on a daily basis, which was not possible for us. Our closest therapeutic riding center is almost an hour drive. Hippotherapy has been a successful intervention to the relaxation of tone, balance, strengthening, and stretching. I desperately was looking for an alternative to get her to ride a horse daily, this is when I found the mechanical horse, the Equicizer.
 
Clarissa underwent muscle releases surgery on Christmas Eve 2005 in New Jersey. After contacting Frank and Sandy Lovato of the Wooden Horse Corporation and the Equicizer, they arranged for us to meet with Millie Pott of www.Spiritfilledriders.org the day prior to Clarissa's surgery. Millie located in Long Valley New Jersey, uses the Equicizer faithfully as a part of her therapeutic riding program. Millie was able to introduce and demonstrate for us many therapeutic exercises with her Equicizer that could apply for Clarissa's needs. Millie also is in the process of creating a video for other families that use the Equicizer and Equipony in their homes for therapeutic purposes.
 
We were now convinced that the Equicizer would be the solution for Clarissa's doctors' recommendation of daily horseback riding; we had to find a way to purchase the Equicizer for our home.
 
Since January of 2006, I have written countless letters to local business and to anyone that may want to help sponsor the purchase of the Equicizer for Clarissa. Frank and Sandy also would seek help to make this possible. There was no financial help yet to be found. We are on a fixed budget and were already exceeding our limits with the financial responsibilities with maintaining our home and extra necessities for Clarissa. 
 
The Solution came when our local physical therapist Kacey Wernli of Kinetic Kids mentioned their annual "Try It Before You Buy It" event.
 
Kinetic Kids,  also located in San Antonio, Texas, is an organization that was founded by physical therapist Tracey Fontenot, and Kacey Wernli based on the belief that all children regardless of ability should have access to recreational, group, and individual exercise options to maximize each child’s potential for movement. Tracey and Kacey both have long histories of treating children with special needs. They were also very interested in using the Equicizer for their activities.
 
Kinetic Kid's "Try It Before You Buy It" is an annual event that gives the local community and health care professionals, as well as children, families, and friends a chance to see and try vendor's and manufacturer's state of the art medical equipment and orthotics products.
 
Kacey, the Lovato's and I agreed that it would be a great opportunity for the Equicizer to participate in this event. The decision was made that we all would pitch in to make this possible. The Lovato's would provide an Equicizer on an indefinite loan to participate in the "Try It Before You Buy It" event. We would be able to use the Equicizer for Clarissa immediately, and I would also arrange the transport from our home and back for the Event. My self along with the help of the staff of Kinetic Kids, displayed and maintain the booth for the Equicizer throughout the event. Everyone pitched in with the expenses and their time involved. Kinetic Kids also would like to purchase the Equicizer for their programs, but are in the process of relocation and were not yet prepared to purchase the Equicizer. Meanwhile, this was the solution for us to use the Equicizer for Clarissa immediately until hopefully we are able to purchase our own.
 
The Kinetic Kids Event was held on May 7th and it went great! 
 
Many therapists, teachers, and parents were amazed to see a therapeutic horse and became very interested.  They thanked me for bringing it to the Event! I knew we had to bring the Equicizer to this wonderful town.  Some said, “They were waiting for something like this to come out!" and "Great invention!”. Some therapists said “All therapies could be done on the horse!”.  Moms would like to see it in their child's classroom! Also a therapist's friend, visitor from Tampa, Florida loved it. She took some flyers and wants to spread the word about the Equicizer. A little girl who is blind got on it; she had a big smile on her face, talked about the horse and asked questions, (horse's name) and happily she said "Lupita", and explored the horse with her hands. It really made me feel so glad of being able to be there sharing this most precious invention, "the Equicizer".  A special teenage girl also was able to enjoy the Equicizer.  Her parents helped her out of her wheelchair and got her on the horse.  She was happy!! Her parents were very interested in getting one for her.  All the kids (including special needs) had a blast!  They were taking turns!  One therapist from a local hospital, helping Kacey with the event, got on the horse and holding a microphone she invited all the audience (including therapists) to come and check out this wonderful horse. One cute girl with Down syndrome liked it so much; she didn’t want to get off!
 
There was a lot of excitement!!  The Equicizer "Lupita" brought a very special spirit to everyone there!
 
I believe so strongly in the benefits that the Equicizer has already provided to Clarissa and our family. I would be very happy to speak to other families that can also benefit from the use of the Equicizer in their home. The Lovato's have agreed to let me create a special email address so I can offer anyone with a special needs child to contact me and ask questions.
 
Sincerely,
Myrna Flores
Email: equicizer.texas@yahoo.com
Phone: Cell 210-313-8031 or ph/fax 210-491-9079
Click here to see Myrna's and Clarissa's page and more photos

Australia's Beverley Manners Receives her new Equicizer, "Mate"

My Best Mate
by Beverley Manners

I want to share with everyone how much my new ‘Mate’ means to me and the difference he is already making in my life in the few short weeks since he has come from America to me here in Australia.  I’ll try not to make it too long, but it may be difficult to fully express how much this ‘mechanical horse’ is doing for me!

When I was twenty eight years old I was involved in a car accident, which broke my neck and gave me a whiplash of my lower spine.  I loved and ridden horses since I was a child, doing Dressage and Hacking, but the following twenty five years were difficult ones, and I wasn’t able to either ride or handle horses.  I missed them terribly!

One day as I was sitting chatting with a friend at the front of her house, someone rode close by the house on a big chestnut horse. It was sunny and the horse was sweating.  The smell of leather and horse sweat wafted to my nostrils and I felt such a stirring in my spirit that I decided then and there that I simply must ride again, no matter what it took.

My first couple of attempts put me back into hospital and the doctor advised me to give up my intention of riding ever again.  But the urge was strong and I just couldn’t give up my dream to feel the beautiful bond of horse and rider again.  I found a good chiropractor who helped me, and my daughter introduced me to Quarter Horses.  She told me that they have such smooth movement and quiet natures, and the Western style of riding was so relaxed that she thought this was the way I should go.

A long search over more than a year for the right horse resulted in a 9 yr old first cross Quarter Horse gelding named Yulgilbar Pablo coming into my life.  I did more than ride again; Pablo and I competed in shows, and over the next seven years, picked up many Hi Points and other major awards throughout Australia.  We performed at expos, and Pony Clubs with me riding Pablo without a bridle, and we also featured in a ten minute special on Channel Seven’s “Talk to the Animals” television program. 

2003 saw the beginning of a two year layoff from physical activities and there was no riding for me.  My age, then 63 years old, and such a long period of physical inactivity combined to stiffen my body and atrophy my muscles.  The first time I tried to mount a horse again, my whole body froze in a cramp of pain and it took two people to drag me off the back of my horse.  This time, I thought, it was all over.  I would never ride again.

Then in November of 2005, I accidentally came across Frankie’s website and saw the wonderful work he does, building the Equicizer, a mechanical horse which moves in response to the rider's action. I read all the information on the website, watched the video clips and started to feel excited!  This was a way I could exercise and stretch my muscles, in exactly the same way as riding a real horse!

I can’t praise Frank Lovato too highly for the professional and extremely caring way he worked with me whilst he built my new ‘Mate’.  Firstly, before accepting my order, he asked me to explain to him exactly what my problems are and how I expected the Equicizer to help me.  Once satisfied that my expectations were not unrealistic, he started to build the Equicizer.  His attention to detail was extraordinary and I soon realized the loving care that goes into building his horses and ponies.  He said he wanted to replicate my favorite horse as closely as possible.  He even asked for a photograph so that he could paint the face markings exactly the same, and because I told him I do Western riding, he put a beautiful piece of silver across the brow band of Mate’s bridle.  He emailed me photos along the way, making sure colors were what I wanted, and it was an incredibly exciting and enjoyable experience whilst I was waiting for the big day when Mate would actually arrive.  When he was unpacked and stood there before me in my dining room, I was so impressed!  His beautiful mane which flows exactly the same way as a real horse in motion, the pricked ears, and the glorious finish and polish on his exquisitely carved head thrilled me so much that I can’t even explain in words how it made me feel.

I have a fairly small house, and emptied my dining room to be Mate’s ‘stable’ and so that I could ride in all weathers, and even while watching my favorite TV program, “McCleods Daughters” (set on a large farm in Australia).

The first few tries, I was too stiff to mount Mate, so I’d just put one foot in the stirrup and stand up in the stirrup on both sides of the horse, for a few minutes to stretch my leg muscles. I couldn’t put my right leg over the horse’s back.  Frankie kept in close touch by email, to make sure I wasn’t overdoing it, and day by day I could feel my body loosening and stretching until one day after about one week, I actually slid my right leg over the back of the saddle and there I was, astride my new Mate!  The feeling is difficult to describe, but was one of exhilaration. After about two minutes I had to dismount by inching my right leg over the horse’s neck and sliding down front wards.

As I write this, it is three weeks later, and I can mount and dismount from both sides, and ride Mate for periods of fifteen to twenty minutes at a brisk canter.  I can also do leg swinging exercises and canter for as long as I like, sitting sidesaddle.

There is absolutely no way that I could have progressed to this level on a flesh and blood horse, and I simply can not describe how much Frankie and Sandy mean to me and what they have done for me in providing me with this wonderful Equicizer from the other side of the world.

It is still early days for riding my outside horse, but the way things are going, I am optimistic that it will only be a couple of months before I will be supple enough and confident enough to ride again in the big outdoors.

To anyone considering an Equicizer or Equipony, I can only say….do it!  And Frankie and Sandy, may God bless you abundantly, for the work you are doing. Keep it up!

Sincerely,
Beverley Manners
Darnum Victoria Australia
10th December, 2005

Frank Lovato Jr. is Guest Speaker at 7-8ths' Farm's Pony Club

Shepherd to Conduct Formal Study Using The Equicizer and Equipony

Announcing some very exciting news for all of us connected to the Equicizer and Equipony and their use for rehabilitation and therapy.
 
The Shepherd Center is a rehabilitation and catastrophic care hospital that treats people with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular illnesses and agrological problems. They can be viewed on the web at www.shepherdcenter.org

 "On our trip back from a very successful NARHA Conference in Houston, Texas, we stopped in Atlanta, Georgia to make a presentation to the Shepherd Center." says Sandy Lovato. "Our presentation was attended by approximately 30 therapists and administrators. At the end of our demonstration the therapists were offered the opportunity to try the Equicizer & Equipony. They loved them! Before we knew it, Deborah Backus, PhD, PT from their Clinical Research Institute was approaching us to see if we would agree to a formal study and research being conducted on the uses and benefits of the Equicizer & Equipony!"
 
"I am passionate about finding the best ways to help our patients achieve greater function as well as their dreams", says Deborah Backus.  "I think the Equicizer offers potential in two ways; one is as an exercise/rehabilitation modality to improve trunk control, balance, and potentially leg function; and two, to provide a way for people to return to horseback riding after a traumatic injury. The Study may take up to 6 months to a year to conduct however, with the findings that we are able to produce here at Shepherd; we would be able to provide documented evidence of the benefits using the Equicizer and Equipony that we can publish. We also may be able to provide official methods or manuals with most effective uses of the Equicizer and Equipony."

It was easily agreed to leave the Shepherd Center with an Equicizer & an Equipony. They would plan on introducing them into their programs right away and once the Research Department receives official approval they will begin the study.
 
"This is a great opportunity for us and we are grateful and humbled by everyone's reaction and support of our product," said Frankie and Sandy Lovato. "It is our hope that with these official findings, we can provide the proof for many of the cash poor programs, clinics and private homes wanting and needing to use our horses, help them obtain Grants, procure Sponsorships or aid in any of their fundraising efforts."
 
If you or anyone you know may be interested in sharing their input with us or have a specific request on what you would like them to add to their studies, please email us at: Study@equicizer.com

Equipony Donated to the NARHA Silent Auction!

Equipony named Krista (left) shown here kicking to barn down, will be up for bidding at the NARHA conference's silent auction! Dusty (right) is also tagging along to give everyone pony rides between seminars and workshops

Jamestown New Horizons' Equicizer, Reaches Beyond Expectations!

Frank & Sandy,

Peat Moss arrived at Jamestown New Horizons a few hours ago, having made the trip well with no injuries. He's quite beautiful. I rode him bareback for about 15 minutes and noticed muscles challenged in the following areas: First the thighs, then back of upper arms, forearms, calves, abdominal muscles, then trunk muscles, in that order. It really surprised me that I felt the workout in the back of my upper arms. That's a bonus that wasn't anticipated and I know will be very helpful to our riders. Peat Moss will provide challenges (limited only by our imaginations) to our riders from head to toe. The ones who are physically capable can even practice emergency dismounts safely before trying it on their horses. Just as we use our vaulting barrel to teach them techniques before they do it on a horse, they can perfect many skills, i.e., riding sideways, backwards, going ‘around the world’, etc., before doing them on their horses. I think the other JNH horses will appreciate this very much. Our therapy horses tend to be tolerant to a fault, but we are always looking for every way possible to protect them and keep them comfortable while they are providing much-needed therapy to the Jamestown New Horizons riders.

I can’t wait to see the great fun that will be generated by Peat Moss. Thank you both so very much for your worthwhile endeavors.

The name Peat Moss comes from a rags to riches thoroughbred race horse much like the story of Seabiscuit. Peat Moss was ridden by jockey Frank Lovato,Jr. creator of the Equicizer. Although this duo had many victories together, the most memorable moment that Frank and Peat Moss had was almost defeating the great John Henry in the 1981 Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The losing margin was only by a nose. Had he beaten John Henry that day, it was quoted by many that it would have been the biggest upset in racing that decade.

Bonnie Grueninger
Program Director
www.jnh-goneriding.org

SMART Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Their Equicizer!

Now That's a Horse of a Different Color!

TVG Announces Their "Name The Equicizer Contest"!

TVG, the nations largest horse racing network, has purchased an Equicizer for their studio in Los Angeles, CA. They would like "YOU" to name it! Thier Equicizer is the progeny of Sire Deputy Banister and dam Genuwood Risk. The winner of the contest for the best name will receive an 2005 Kentucky Derby win picture of GIACOMO autographed by jockey Mike Smith! Click here for the TVG website for more information and contest rules.

Therapeutic Connections Inc. Receives Their Equipony!

This Hippotherapy program of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was founded by Krista Owens, an Occupational Therapist and business member of the American Hippotherapy Association.

Krista mentions, "I love my new Equipony and really look forward to it assisting our program along with the horses; especially when the bad weather would normally cause cancellations". Krista continues, "It's not only the cold days of winter or rain that can cause cancellations, but there is also the heat of the summers that can make things very difficult on the children and the horses. We can now move indoors under these circumstances. I really feel that the Equipony will help keep my program more consistent so that everyone will benefit"!
 
Krista Owens is an Occupational Therapist with over 13 years experience. She has also been a business member of the American Hippotherapy Association, www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org, for 10 years.

Krista offers anyone that would like to ask her any questions, or would like to see or try the Equipony to please feel free to contact her by email at meadowviewstable@aol.com or phone her at 225-907-6163.
 

Thoroughbred Times Article Featuring the Equicizer

(The following article appears courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times and originally appeared in the April 23rd issue)

By Bill Heller

Childhood Dream: As a boy, Frank Lovato Jr. came up with the idea for a wooden training horse. He developed the Equicizer and Equipony to help jockeys stay in shape, improve their skills, or rehabilitate after injuries

After trying to balance two careers for more than two decades, jockey Frank
Lovato, Jr., finally conceded to reality last fall, retiring from riding to
devote all his time and energy to the Equicizer, the wooden training horse
he first envisioned as a child. “Some exciting things are happening,” the
42-year-old Lovato said. “The time has come for me to move on, and it’s a
good thing.”

That’s because his Equicizer, originally targeted to help riders stay in
shape, improve their skills or rehab after injuries, is also being used to
help children with disabilities in therapeutic riding programs.

“There’s many things we can do with the Equicizer that we couldn’t do with
a real horse, especially for the young children,” said Millie Pott, a
certified instructor who oversees 35 children in her not-for-profit Spirit
Filled Riders program in Long Valley, New Jersey. “It’s fantastic.”

Hall of Fame jockeys Laffit Pincay, Jr., and Angel Cordero, Jr., agreed.
They bought the first two Equicizers in the 1980s. More recently, actor
Tobey Maguire bought one and used it to prepare for his role as jockey Red
Pollard in the Oscar-nominated film Seabiscuit.

But it was Pott who helped convince Lovato that the time had come to choose
between riding and his invention. He had been vacillating between the two
for years.

Pott, who is 60 and has been riding for some 20 years, uses three live
horses, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred named Harlee and Standardbreds Tuxedo
Mark and Sam, in her program for children with disabilities such as Cerebral
Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy with one major caveat - weather permitting. “I
was looking for something I could use during the winter months because we
don’t have an indoor arena,” she said. “I didn’t want to stop the children
from gaining momentum.”

When she found the Equicizer on the Internet two years ago, she contacted
Lovato about purchasing one. Lovato told her that he was riding full-time
and not manufacturing Equicizers, but sent her information about the
Equicizer anyway. A year later, Millie called back. She had procured a grant
from the Christopher Reeve Foundation to purchase one. Millie drove her SUV
to Lovato’s house in Valley Stream, Long Island, to pick up her Equicizer
herself last April. Her Spirit Filled Riders named it Rainbow.

Mille Pott (left) and Emma, a volunteer help a student stretch on Rainbow

Millie used Rainbow in conjunction with her real horses in the summer and
fall, then placed it in her heated basement for the winter, where her riders
continued to use it daily.

Across the country, Jenny Nell, the program director at the Little Bit
Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville, Washington, received the Equicizer
she ordered on March 31. She e-mailed Lovato: “It came today! We love her.
Now I have to run out into the barn and get a saddle to fit her. It’s such a
nice size and is so smooth.”

The very same day, Jessica Mays, a riding instructor in Bonita, California,
who works with disabled children, e-mailed Lovato about a woman with
Cerebral Palsy who began using the Equicizer: “I wasn’t really sure how I
was going to use EQ with her. She doesn’t have any coordination or muscle
control. At first, she couldn’t get the motion going. We helped her for a
while and then did it without stirrups, which is a huge step for her! After
a while, she was able to get the motion going on her own! It was great. I
almost cried. She wants to get in shape so she can go to this camp in Oregon
for people with disabilities. I am so happy with my wooden horse. What a
great invention.”

It is one Lovato has dreamed of since his family, including his jockey dad
Frank Sr., moved from Cheverly, Maryland to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. “The
idea was always in my head when I was little,” Lovato said. “I was four. I
had a saddle. I used to take the saddle and try to attach it to a chair or a
couch. Later on, there was a new development where we lived. There was a lot
of construction and a lot of wood. I‘d take scrap wood and build a horse out
of it. I started building wooden horses when I was eight. I remember being
in my garage and setting up wood on buckets.”

Soon, he was practicing riding on bales of hay. “I wanted to learn,” he
said. “I wanted to be able to ride and switch whips. I wanted to be in
rhythm.”

What he wanted most was to follow his dad into racing, which he did,
earning the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top apprentice jockey in 1980. He
was 17.

Two years later, he had a lot of free time. “I fractured my femur at The
Meadowlands and needed rehabilitation and therapy,” he said. “This guy my
mom was dating after my parents divorced was a handyman. He helped me build
the first horse, a step forward from what I did as a kid.”

The Equicizer is constructed from wood and covered with padded carpet. “The
mechanics are all manually driven and they’re operated with springs,” Lovato
said. “The motion is generated entirely by the rider. It’s very simple and
it’s very effective.”

Lovato had no grand plan of mass marketing his first wooden horse. “When I
was doing this, I wasn’t thinking of training other jockeys,” he said. “I
built it for me. I wasn’t getting on enough horses. I wanted to get better.”

Lovato’s first wooden horse allowed him to hone his skills and rehab from
his injury. Word leaked out.

“People said this is a great idea and, `You need to start a business,’”
Lovato said. “But I was still very much into my riding career. Angel Cordero
was bugging me to make him one. And Laffit Pincay. He found out from Angel.
I said to Angel, `When I have the time.’ Then Laffit called and bugged me. I
finally gave in. I was trying to keep it quiet. I was worried someone would
come along, make it better and leave me out of doing it in my retirement.”

Lovato made an Equicizer for Pincay, and then Cordero saw it when he
attended a party at Pincay’s house in California. “The phone rang the next
day,” Lovato laughed. Of course, it was Cordero, who is probably never going
to let Lovato forget about it.

Now retired jockey Chris McCarron aboard the Equicizer in the Santa Anita jocks room during his heyday

Lovato made Cordero’s Equicizer and received calls from Chris McCarron and
Gary Stevens. “In the next two years, I got a patent and established a
corporation (Wooden Horse Corporation),” Lovato said. “I thought I could do
it and still ride. The first year, I had 60 orders, including ones from
Australia and Japan. I was building them out of my garage.”

In 1990, Lovato took a leave of absence from racing which lasted 18 months.
“I missed it,” he said. “I thought I could do both. I thought I had it set
up and under control. And then I did that from 1991 until 2000, trying to
ride and build horses. I look back now, I don’t know how I did it. I
basically had no life.”

Besides working two careers, he was helping his wife Sandy raise three
children, Megan, Shawn and Timothy. Lovato found an escape from his hectic
life in his music. A songwriter, singer and guitar and piano player, Lovato
formed the Off-Track Band in the mid 1980s with jockey agent Ralph Theroux
and George Russo, who worked for NYRA‘s track maintenance department. They
played at local pubs on Long Island and at The Parting Glass in Saratoga
Springs every summer. “We were a good band and people really enjoyed us,”
Lovato said. “We played classic rock. We tried to stick to songs everyone
knew. We kept it light. It was fun, a lot of fun.”

Riding in New York frequently was not. In a deeply contentious jockey
colony, Lovato had to struggle to get live mounts. He was also struggling
with his weight. “I was having a difficult time packing 116,” he said. “And
here in New York, it’s so very competitive. Jerry Bailey can pack 112. How
could I compete with that? It was really putting me behind the eight ball. I
was close to having a nervous breakdown.”

His long-time friend Steve Asmussen, on the threshold of becoming the
nation’s leading trainer in victories, offered him an alternative in 2000.
“He was looking for a stable rider in Chicago in 2000,” Lovato said. “I was
at a crossroads in my career. I said I would be willing to leave home. I’ll
be away from my family, but I have the opportunity to ride for Steve
Asmussen. It’s a chance to kick-start my career.”

Lovato rode successfully on a circuit of Arlington Park, the Fair Grounds
the New Orleans and Keeneland, while putting his Equicizer business on hold.
Then, in 2002, he received a call from Chris McCarron, who had been hired as
an actor and consultant for the movie Seabiscuit. “Chris McCarron is a big
fan of my horse,” Lovato said. “When the director contacted Chris and wanted
to hire him as a consultant, they were trying to figure out how to do
certain things related to racing. He said, `I know a guy who makes
mechanical horses. I know the guy to call. I’ve got the answer to all your
problems.’”

Lovato used spare parts to make three Equicizers for the movie. Tobey

Actor Tobey Maguire aboard the modified Equicizer and director Gary Ross prepare for a scene in Seabiscuit

Maguire deposited one of them in his $3.5 million Beverly Hills home and
whittled his weight from 160 pounds to 140. “I didn’t realize what kind of
athletes jockeys are,” Maguire said. “The first time I got up in the
stirrups and I did a bit of a gallop on the Equicizer. After a couple of
minutes me legs were noodles. I could barely stand up.”

Attempting to seize a once in a lifetime-opportunity, Lovato quickly wrote
an original song for the Seabiscuit movie, “Legend In The Game.” “I wrote it
in my Chicago apartment as a demo, and I Fed-exed it to Chris McCarron and
he put it in the producer’s hands,” Lovato said. “It got good reviews.
People loved the song. I felt like I nailed it, and I’m proud of it. It was
probably one of my best songs. But they didn’t use it.”

Lovato continued riding in the Midwest and missing his family. He and
Sandy, who worked briefly as a chart call taker for the Daily Racing Form
before taking a job as a customs broker, had been together for 26 years. He
will never forgot Sandy’s call last fall about Millie Pott. “I’m in Chicago
and Sandy called and said Millie wanted to buy an Equicizer with a grant she
got from the Christopher Reeve Foundation,” Lovato said. “I was like, `Holy
smokes!’ I don’t know how she could do it. She got through all the red tape
and got it going.”

Twelve years earlier, Lovato had reached out to therapeutic riding
programs. While nursing a broken arm he had suffered at Philadelphia Park,
he made a presentation at the North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association annual conference in 1992, and sold several smaller Equicizers
he called Equiponies. “I sold them all and got more orders,” he said. “I was
selling them very cheap. I actually lost money, but I wanted to get started.
But then my arm got better. I healed. I went back to riding. I didn’t have
enough time to pursue it.”

By 2004, his priorities had changed. He had missed a week of riding when
his back went out at Arlington Park. If he needed any more convincing, it
happened two months after Pott’s call. Lovato was contacted by a woman in
New Jersey, who had a teen-age son with Cerebral Palsy. “They had raised
money to buy an Equicizer, and he was doing fantastic because of that,”
Lovato said. “They wanted one for his home. I had all these things telling
me it’s time for me to go home.”

Lovato’s last ride was Sept. 19 at Arlington Park. He retired with 1,686
wins from 15,603 mounts and earnings of more than $41.7 million.

He has been building and selling Equicizers ever since and, for the first
time in his life, not worrying about his weight. “I’m living like a normal
person and loving every minute of it,” he said. “It’s a strange thing when
you’ve spent your whole life worrying that you would get too big. I was
scared to death that I was going to grow out of a career. I’m 135 now and I
don’t really look that heavy.”

Lovato has moved his work into a nearby shop, where he’s assisted by Bobby
Sigouin, a former jockey who cuts the lumber for the horses and helps
assemble the outside shell, which is covered and padded with soft carpet.
Sandy handles all the paper work.  “I carve the horse’s heads myself,”
Lovato said. “I take a lot of pride in the finish and the actual look of the
horse. It’s important if they’re going to be in people’s houses. For
children, they’re warm and inviting. It makes therapy fun.”

Video tape from Millie Pott’s heated basement last winter offers vivid
documentation. A little boy lays on top of Rainbow, then, with the help of
two adults, stands on top of him, one hand on each adult’s head to support
him. Later, he lifts his arms up in triumph while sitting on Rainbow. He
plays catch with a beach ball while sitting on the horse, then lays flat on
his back on top of it. Then he rides by himself with a smile on his face to
melt your heart. Another little boy sports an even bigger smile, a pure joy
of what he was able to accomplish while sitting on Rainbow. Click for video.

The children of Spirit Filled Riders range in age from 1 ½ to 15. “None of
them can walk on their own,” Pott said. “The important thing is for them to
get balance, which is what the horse does. Everything we do on a horse is
for a purpose: to increase and enhance a muscle or to give them balance or
to give them more stability. At the same time they use the Equicizer, we use
massage therapists to help improve muscle flexibility and tone and to loosen
them up. This really has the same motion as a horse. We can take these kids
from non-walking to walking themselves.

“We’re not looking for perfection. We’re not looking for an equestrian.
We’re looking to help them with their disability.”

The Equicizer helps her help them. Lovato has seen this in person in her
basement. “It’s an amazing, amazing feeling,” he said. “Seeing it accomplish
something so pure, the feeling goes through your body.”
 
Lovato received an e-mail from Pott the first day of April. She wrote about
Joey, whose mom had noticed that his left leg was at least an inch longer
than the right. “So we laid him over the Equicizer to work the spinal column
in various positions,” she wrote. “After about 5-10 minutes of this, I
checked the length of both legs … Guess what. They were even. NOW YOU tell
me: does the Equicizer make a difference? I instructed Mom to make certain
both legs were even before putting on the braces to ensure correct position
overnight. Now we have to strengthen the muscles and ligaments to hold that
position. Frankie, you are responsible for this miracle with God’s help.”
 
How do you place a value on that? Lovato said, “Sandy read Millie’s e-mail
this morning and said, `Honey, you’re already a millionaire.’ And she’s
right.”

(Sidebar on Lovato Jr.’s racing highlights)

Frank Lovato Jr., who won 111 stakes at 25 different racetracks, may be the
only rider in history to win the same stakes twice in one meet. On, Aug. 6,
1980, Lovato, still an apprentice at the time, rode Quintessential for
trainer Johnny Campo in the DeWitt Clinton Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
It was the first $100,000 race for New York-breds ever, but that’s not what
people who saw the race remember.

Then again, not everyone at Saratoga that day saw it. 
“It was a historic moment,” Lovato said. “It was big for me because I was an
apprentice and I’d never won a stakes at Saratoga or in New York.”

Lovato was in the starting gate in post position one on Quintessential as Ruben Hernandez walked Move It Now up to the gate to load in the outside
stall in a field of 11. Move It Now never got there. In an unfortunate moment of starter George Cassidy’s otherwise distinguished 51-year career, he pressed the start button with Move It Now still behind the gate.
 
Lovato took off on his horse, while two of his rivals were literally left
in the gate unprepared. “I thought it was an accident, that a horse ran
through the gate,” Lovato said. “I really wasn’t sure what happened. I just rode my race. It wasn’t until I came back and heard all the yelling that I found out what happened.”

What would have been Lovato’s greatest victory was instead a painful defeat

John Henry gets a head in front of Peat Moss

in the $500,000 (G1) Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in 1981 at Belmont Park.
Lovato was riding Peat Moss, a distance loving claimer who’d won the 1980
Kelso Handicap and Display Handicap (G3). Owned by Murray Garren and trained
by Gil Puentes, Peat Moss still holds the Aqueduct track record of 3:40 for
2 1/8 miles.

All his connections asked Peat Moss to do Oct. 10, 1981, was defeat
legendary John Henry and nine other top class horses at equal weights.
 
Peat Moss nearly did upset the two-time Horse of the Year, finishing second
by a head after making a furious rally on the inside. “I was flying,” Lovato
said. “I came from last. I had dead aim on John Henry. But my horse pricked
his ears and hesitated over the starting gate tracks. After the wire, I was
three lengths in front. I thought I  got beat, but I wasn’t sure. All the
outriders were congratulating me for winning.”

The photo, though, showed that John Henry had held on by a desperate, short
head. But it wasn’t official. Lovato claimed foul on Shoemaker.
“He was in like the sixth path and he put me into the fence,” Lovato said.
 
John Henry’s past performance line from the 1981 Jockey Club Gold Cup in
the Daily Racing Form book Champions indeed says John Henry, “Bore in,
driving.” But the stewards let the result stand. Lovato, who thought the margin was less than a head, said, “I got beat the nastiest nose.” Peat Moss atoned just 13 days later, winning the Kelso Handicap again under Lovato.

Another former claimer Lovato rode to stakes victories was Boom Towner, who
won the 1993 Boojum (G3) and Sports Page Handicap (G3), the 1994 Decathlon
Stakes at Monmouth Park and the 1995 Toboggan Handicap (G3). “Boom Towner was a special horse to me, too,” Lovato said.
 - Bill Heller

(Tracks where Frank Lovato, Jr., won stakes - Arlington Park, Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Calder, Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, Fair Grounds, Finger
Lakes, Garden State, Keeneland, Latonia, Laurel, Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park, Ocala Training Center, Philadelphia Park, Pimlico, Prairie Meadows, River Park, Rockingham, Saratoga, Suffolk Downs, Waterford Park, Woodbine.)

Little Bit Loves their Equicizer A lot!

Mom's Jockey Career is Reborn Thanks to an Equicizer

(this article appears courtesy of the NY Daily News and was originally published on 2/14/05)

Mom's Jockey Career is Reborn
 
BY SHERRY ROSS
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

The last time Laura Kornmeyer rode in a horse race before yesterday, she was three months pregnant - and didn't know it.

After giving birth to Daniel, now 9, and Christopher, now 5, Kornmeyer is a jockey again for the first time in almost 11 years.

Kornmeyer finished last in a field of eight in the first race at Aqueduct aboard Convertibull, a 3-year-old colt owned by her husband, Chris Schoeller, but the 41-year-old mom still was all smiles despite eating some kicked-up dirt for lunch.

"It's a passion," she said. "I have 10 years of riding bottled up inside of me."

Kornmeyer, who rode from 1989 through 1994 in Florida, abandoned her passion for a decade to raise her two children, and managed an office for a software company owned by her brother-in-law. The riding bug never left her.

"I was working out, weightlifting, and keeping my fitness up," she said. "I figured my kids were old enough, it's time to come back and have some fun. Trail riding gets a little boring. I like the speed."

Former jockey Frank Lovato built her an Equicizer - a piece of workout equipment that allows a rider to simulate the riding experience - and Kornmeyer said she "rode" 10 races a day, sometimes up to 15, on her phony pony to get ready for her return to the saddle.

"I did not want to get embarrassed by falling off," she said. "Thanks to Frankie, I stayed up. I was nervous before I got on the horse. Once I got on the horse, everything went away. I didn't hear a thing. I was just part of him. That's the beauty of it, being part of the horse you're on. I just love it. I would have liked to have done better, but it was a thrill."

Kornmeyer's sons stayed home with their dad in Florida and watched the race on TV. Will they get to see their working mom in silks in person?

"If this horse makes it down to Florida, I'll take care of him every day and gallop him every day," said Kornmeyer, who does not plan to return to full-time riding. "And I'll just ride for whoever wants to put me on something. It's tough when you have (to ride) to pay bills. This is fun for me. I don't have to worry about other things."

Equicizer to Star on GSN's American Dream Derby Game Show

Monday nights at 9pm (ET) the Game Show Network airs it's newest reality/game show, the American Dream Derby. In this landmark eight-episode original series, players will be put to the ultimate equestrian challenge including stable chores, track trials and the fine art of handicapping.

Having purchased three Equicizers for the show a number of months back, the producers have let us know that it will make it's debut in Episode 6, airing Monday February 7th. We suspect we may see a contestant or two break an actual sweat. Don't miss it!

Brand New Equicizer for Santa Anita!

The annual December 26th opening day of Santa Anita Park offered a special feature added to their jockey's room. A brand new shiny dark bay Equicizer they named after the legendary "Seabiscuit".

Authorizing the new purchase back in October, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, ( now serving as Magna’s Executive Vice President of Industry Relations) mentioned how the California jockey colony strongly relies on using the Equicizer on an everyday bases for stretching, warming up and practice. "We wanted to be sure that we had the new Equicizer ready in time for this years opening day," McCarron says.

Santa Anita's past Equicizers were brought in by the kindness of jockeys Alex Solis and the late Chris Antley for everyone to use, but McCarron mentioned that, "They basically have ridden the hair off them"! It was time for a new one and Santa Anita was very glad to provide this for their jockeys." McCarron also mentioned, "I wanted Frank (Lovato) to make him a bay and name him Seabiscuit. I thought that when we did our tours with the patrons at Santa Anita, that they would get a kick out of that". McCarron also served in advisory role for the motion picture Seabiscuit, much of which was filmed at Santa Anita. The Equicizer also was used in the making of Seabiscuit for the close up racing scenes.

Horse Hosting Donates Equipony to Marion County MTRA

Betty Gray and Daughter Kathy

The MTRA, (Marion Theraputic Riding Association), is now the proud owner of an Equipony courtesy of HorseHosting.com.  They plan to use the Equipony for all sorts of things including training kids posture and how to hold the reins.

He will certainly get plenty of use at the MTRA.  They have tons of eager kids in their program and they are only growing.  Their Ocala facility near Hillcrest School is getting a bigger brother as they are developing another 30 acre facility near the Florida Greenway.

It is a great program and they are truly great people.  We wish them the best of luck.

ESPN Features Equicizer Inventor Frank Lovato Jr. In His Day Job

Anthony Bonelli Gets His Equicizer

Anthony was introduced to the Equicizer at Spirit Filled Riders Therapeutic Riding Center in NJ last summer. Diane Bonelli, Anthony's mother, was seeing the positive effect the Equicizer had on him. Diane was raving about the Equicizer to dear friend and co-worker Jeanne McGann at the Family Guidance Center of Warren County in Washington NJ. Soon after, Jeanne McGann, staff, and friends began organizing candy sales, hosting Tupperware fund-raisers and even established a special fund for monetary contributions to buy Anthony his own Equicizer.

The mission was accomplished when on October 17th, Anthony's Equicizer was delivered to his home personally by Frank and Sandy Lovato. Now Anthony has what every teen who's ever loved a horse has always dreamed of....a horse in their living room! 

Actor Tobey Maguire On Becoming a Jockey

Actor Tobey Maguire up close on the Equicizer.

Every superhero needs a secret identity. Fresh off the smash success of Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire tested his out last September at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., as he anonymously soaked up the atmosphere while researching for his horse racing drama Seabiscuit. "In our world, people were more interested in betting on horses than in Tobey Maguire," says jockey Gary Stevens, a Seabiscuit costar. "I really think he enjoyed that." Or a more focused one.

To prepare for the film, Maguire, who pocketed an estimated $12 million paycheck, installed an Equicizer--a racehorse simulator--in his $3.5 million Beverly Hills home, and whittled 20 lbs. off his 160-lb. frame. "I didn't realize what kind of athletes jockeys are," Maguire says. "The first time I got up in the stirrups and did a bit of a gallop on the equicizer, after a couple of minutes my legs were noodles. I could barely stand up."

Tobey Maguire and Gary Stevens preparing to film a scene.

Equicizers loaded on the S.S. Seabiscuit.

Australian Jockey Darren Beadman Muses About His Equicizer

Rodgie's mechanical mount can give me inside running

Darren Beadman on his Equicizer. Photo: Steve Christo

By Darren Beadman

Trust Rodgie. The man could sell toys to Santa. He sold me a horse last Sunday. No ordinary conveyance this one but a galloper with a spring in its step. Fair dinkum, Graeme Rogerson is that good.

We haven't settled on a price but the trainer reckoned I could try out "Ebony Grosve", and I'll be taking the black horse after giving the beast a solid workout at my place on Tuesday.

However, a name change is in order. Rodgie might have won the AJC Australian Derby with Ebony Grosve, but I'll be calling my new mount Octagonal, as it reminds me of the Triple Crown-winning great.

The new steed is all about hard work. The mechanical thoroughbred known as an Equicizer moved into the Beadman abode early on Tuesday. I'd ridden electrically powered horses before but the spring-loaded variety are better.

The latter are certainly to my liking. They give you the feel of a thoroughbred. You've got to do all the work instead of setting a dial for a predetermined speed, as you do with the electric variety.

My 12-year-old son, Mitchell, has declared the new addition to the family a "style corrector". I'm not sure I want to be correcting my style at this point in my career, but Mitch is a hard taskmaster.

These imported models give the rider one hell of a workout. Boxers have the punching bag; jockeys should get an Equicizer. Tough work indeed.

A couple of minutes punching "Occy" out and I pulled up blowing. I had to reassess the workout program. I'd charged in like a bull at a gate; thought it was going to be easy.

I had to take stock. I recalled the golden days with Octagonal on the track and thought about the grand horse which pulverised rivals on the racetrack.

The toughest part about riding Octagonal was the final 400m. That's when you earned your money. You had to ride him real hard. The harder the better.

What stood Octagonal apart from most thoroughbreds was his desire to find something under immense pressure. Just when you thought you'd reached the bottom of his awesome repertoire, Octagonal would finding something else.

Normal horses just don't do that. Locked in tense battle with 80m to go in racing's major races on many occasions I thought the tank was empty. Octagonal was running on courage, but, lo and behold, he'd lift.

Usually it was in the shadows of the post. When he won his AJC Australian Derby, he somehow managed to put his nose out on the line. Saintly, Filante and Nothin' Leica Dane - not a bad trio - were simply KO'd by the black horse.

So that's what I've been doing on the Equicizer: working into the race; pretending I'm riding in a sprint race and counting down the furlongs in my head, which can only be good for my judgement of pace.

At the 400m mark I get really busy on the spring-loaded mount. The last two furlongs in about 23sec, and you're left panting. A couple of minutes rest and you do it again.

It is some workout. You use all the same muscles you do when riding in a race. That's got to be a plus. On top of the time factor, you can practise many other aspects of horsemanship.

Pulling the stick through from the left to right hand and vice versa. Taking new holds on the reins. Gathering them up in a fluent motion. Refining the use of the whip so as it is in sync with the horse's movement. Practise, practise, practise.

That's what it is all about in this game. As I revealed last week in these pages, I'm keen on winning another Sydney jockeys' premiership. Giving away a start is a real challenge but one I'm keen on pursuing, especially in my recent frame of mind. Things seem to be happening at will. Riding winners brings new-found confidence and there's nothing like confidence to spur on any sportsman.

When you're in form there is no second-guessing. Your first instinct is almost always the right one and with your confidence up, you don't hesitate. Hesitate for the slightest of seconds on top of a horse and it can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Racing is that close. The margins on all fronts are narrowing. You have to be on top of your game all the time. Mid-race mistakes must be eliminated. Learn from them but move quickly to the next ride. There is no time to beat up on yourself. Leave that to others. Just trust in yourself and continue with the routine.

A routine involving long hours of hard work. By the time I knock off at Rosehill on Saturday, I will have ridden at eight meetings in 12 days, averaging about six rides a meeting.

The only real day off was last Monday. I had no trackwork, trials or races to attend. But I did go for a run. Just had to. I've attained a level of fitness not found since my heady days before my self-imposed sabbatical. It's a good feeling and one I'm focused on retaining, and the Equicizer will only help.

So, I accompanied Rodgie on a plane to Wagga Wagga last Sunday. And what a great job the Murrumbidgee Turf Club is doing. The track was one of the first on the bush circuit to be rebuilt.

That happened several years ago, and it is playing superb. I could have ridden at Sunday's meeting without a pair of goggles. There was no kickback from horses whatsoever.

It made it all the more enjoyable to return on Thursday and Friday for the big meetings. An absolute pleasure.

Although I had to feel sorry for Lenny Beasley. My rival was on the same flight last Sunday but arrived a bit late for it. He heard us talking about the Equicizer and promptly put in a bid. Thankfully, Rodgie stuck solid and informed Lenny I'd already put up my hand.

Rodgie imported two Equicizers from the US. He got one for apprentice Paul Hammersley when the young bloke, who is now based on the Gold Coast, kicked off with Rodgie at Randwick. The other one was transported to New Zealand, so the kids coming through Rodgie's stables over there could improve their skills.

Now, I just hope Rodgie isn't reading this. We've still to negotiate a price. I'll trust him to do the right thing. Either that or he'll be haggling with Mitch.

As told to Craig Young