Team Prac
Horse Owner Tools
Video
Team Prac
Horse Owner Tools
Video
Team Prac
Horse Owner Tools
Video
One fortuitous afternoon in 2016, Anne Dolin was at the barn with her daughter Emmy as she tacked up her pony, when a sudden gust of wind blew a chemical-laden fly spray directly in her face. “I immediately started coughing and my eyes were burning so badly I had to go to the bathroom to flush them out with water. And the tickle in my throat lasted for the rest of the day,” Anne recalled. “It made me think about what might have happened if it had gotten in our pony’s eyes, too.”
Following the incident, the ever-supportive horse mom was inspired to formulate a chemical-free, but effective fly spray to protect horses and their owners from the harmful repercussions of chemical-based products. After a year of working closely with a scientist on research and development, Anne introduced Wham Bam, an insecticide-free fly repellant formulated with peppermint, cinnamon, myrtle and lemongrass that works by deterring flies and other insects on contact.
“We knew there were better ways to groom and care for Emmy’s horse, and the other families at the barn were also interested,” she said. “But we had no idea that our small start with fly spray would grow the way it has.”
When other boarders and barn moms liked the fly spray’s fresh smell and noticed it worked—and as Emmy began pleading for more natural horse-care products—Anne wondered if there just might be a real need in the equine industry for more chemical-free products.
Thanks to a swift a breeze, Anne and her husband, Ira Dolin, discovered a new way they could support Emmy and her passion. With their collective background in advertising and marketing, the husband-and-wife team put their combined experience in brand identify and creative strategy to work as they began to lay the framework for The Infused Equestrian.
After its start with organic fly spray, this family-owned operation has grown to include a wide range of essential-oil offerings tailored for both horse and rider to help calm, focus and restore natural balance for improved performance and confidence.
“Our goal was to provide equestrians with the highest quality, small batch, hand-crafted therapeutic oil-infused products to help them lead happy, healthy and balanced lives on and off their horses,” Anne explained. “We believe scent is more than aroma. It’s a connection. When we use essential oils intentionally, we create a shared sense of calm and focus that strengthens the bond between horse and rider.”
Equestrian Roots
Emmy, who’s now an amateur, started riding at the age of 7 at an overnight horse camp, and Anne vividly remembers her daughter coming home crying because she already missed the horses. So, she and Ira enrolled her in lessons at a local barn in the Chicago area where they lived at the time.
“The rest was history,” Anne laughed. “Emmy’s had quite a few horses along the way—some owned, some leased. It started with a chestnut mare named Minnie, but her heart horse was Harvey, who passed away a few years ago. A lot of her leased horses helped her qualify for the big equitation and hunter finals and the National Horse Show.”
Neither Anne nor Ira had a background with horses, but they constantly strive to find ways to encourage their daughter’s love of riding. “Ira learned to ride at the same camp where Emmy learned and has been known to hop on a horse and hack while we’re traveling,” she said. “I had a terrible experience while riding on our honeymoon and have only been on a horse once since then during ‘Parent Night’ at camp. Sadly, it did not go well. I’m not afraid of horses at all. In fact, I will do everything but ride!”
Exploring Essential Oils
Anne’s experience in formulating Wham Bam peaked her interested in essential oils and the many benefits they offer to both horse and rider. In horses, for example, oils like bergamot, blue tansy and cedarwood promote relaxation and recovery, while peppermint and rosemary can help support a normal inflammatory response.
“When used thoughtfully, essential oils can calm, focus and restore balance. They play such a powerful role in supporting both horse and rider,” she said. “As the mother of an equestrian, I understand the challenges of riding day in and day out. As we know, training, busy schedules and stress can all affect the rider and the horse, and essential oils offer a natural way to buffer against these outside stressors.”
She points to their @ The In-Gate Roller Blend as a prime example of how essential oils work to help ground riders before entering the show ring. When rolled onto the skin and inhaled, its formula of MCT coconut oil, ylang-ylang, cedar wood and bergamot essential oils provides calming effects for riders.
“When the rider relaxes, the horse does, too. The horse will respond to the emotional shift in his partner. There’s a sense of safety and connection happening—not nervous energy,” Anne explained. “That calm and focus strengthens the bond between horse and rider and that can make the difference between a mediocre ride and an excellent ride.”
Crafting Products for Real Riders
One of the many benefits of having an equestrian daughter as a business partner, Emmy is constantly on-hand to provide real-rider feedback on their products. For instance, even though many manufacturers include removeable, washable liners in their helmet designs, a lot of riders confess to forgetting this task—Emmy included.
To provide an alternative cleaning option, The Infused Equestrian created their hugely popular Noggin. A Fresh Helmet Spray & More, aptly named by Anne and Ira’s son Jacob, who is now 24 and will be graduating with his master’s degree in social work this May from Georgia State University. Formulated with specific ingredients like lemon peel, citronella leaf, lemongrass, rosemary, cedarwood and tea tree leaf, the spray helps eliminate bacteria, sweat and germs and neutralizes odors. While originally designed for helmets, Emmy also found that it works well on stinky gloves, air vests, boots and other horse gear.
“We never anticipated Noggin being so successful,” Anne noted. “It started with subscription box request that they ultimately declined to use, and now it’s our best seller.”
When Emmy’s large pony “Junior” was put on extended stall rest after developing laminitis, Anne and Ira set out to create an all-natural hoof formula. “There was nothing much we could do but wait and rehab him, so we started developing our Pedi Hoof Conditioner,” she said. “We tested it out on Junior, and he loved the attention while on stall rest. It was also a great way for Emmy to connect with him when she couldn’t ride while also learning good horsemanship skills on the ground.”
Formulated with olive oil, balsam fir, juniper, carrot seed and tea tree oil, their hoof conditioner helps moisturize and nourish hoof tissue to prevent dry, brittle hooves, cracks, thrush and bacterial buildup. Anne notes that it was also designed to allow your horse’s hooves to breathe while supporting heathy growth and natural strength, and it helps prevent common issues like sore feet, quarter cracks and laminitis.
The Infused Equestrian went on to create a full line of all-natural horse-care products formulated with specific essential-oil blends including silicone-free shampoos, conditioners and shine-enhancing sprays that Emmy and has tested and approved on her horses.
Taking the Leap
Anne and Ira’s background in advertising and marketing helped them scale their business slowly and methodically with pop-up booths at local horse shows before they pursued opportunities at bigger shows and eventually found a home with their first retailer. Fast forward to 2026 and The Infused Equestrian’s products are now in more than 100 tack stores across the country, as well as at larger retailers like FarmVet, Chewy and SmartEquine, and the company prides itself on the fact that all their social media is organic. “We rely on our customers, retailers and our ambassador team to tell us what they really need and what they like and don’t like,” Anne noted.
When other fledgling brands ask for guidance on building their businesses, she doesn’t hesitate with her go-to advice. “Do it scared. There’s never going to be a ‘right’ time or a perfect way of doing things. Research and just take the leap. Find people in your corner who will support you and who know the ropes already,” Anne advised. “Make sure you know your audience and your direct competition, and trademark early. It’s hard work but don’t give up.”
The Infused Equestrian experienced one of their biggest hurdles as a manufacturer during the COVID-19 pandemic when sourcing bottles and reliable production partners became increasingly difficult. “When everyone suddenly started producing hand sanitizer, packaging and manufacturing came to a standstill, it really tested our adaptability,” Anne noted.
But she says their ongoing challenge is to continue earning the trust of the equestrian community. “We’re introducing riders to something new—clean, non-toxic products—in a space that’s relied on the same formulas for decades,” she said. “Stepping into a more natural approach can feel unfamiliar, but at the end of the day, knowing you’re using the safest, most effective products for you and your horse matters more than tradition.”
After graduating from the University of Lynchburg, the now 23-year-old Emmy is the proud Social Media Manager for the company, and Anne and Ira feel blessed to collaborate with their daughter every day on their shared passion. But as business owners, it’s a non-stop operation.
“The most rewarding part is being creative together and brainstorming ideas and strategy with each other. My son is still asking for royalties for naming Noggin,” Anne laughed. “It’s a balance, though, because we’re working 24/7, and it doesn’t stop. I have to be really intentional about being present with my family when we’re not working as a team, and Emmy is good at calling me out on it. But even as much work as running your own business requires, it’s been a wonderful journey, and we look forward to more exciting things to come.”