For over 4 generations, the Gritz family, the folks behind HORSEBALLS® and Applied Animal Enrichments, LLC, have been enthusiastic horse people. Much of the previous generations were in the U.S. Cavalry and rode horses for pleasure. Grandpa Harry rode horses in the early days of motion pictures as a stand-in and a stunt rider. Grandpa Maury was an accomplished horseman himself. He even made sure he lived near a local riding stable. Leonard Gritz grew up working on horse farms, breaking colts and doing barn work in exchange for boarding his horses. Sandra Metro Gritz grew up studying ballet and art and did the typical young girl riding as she grew up.

After marrying Sandra, Leonard bought his first Arabian stallion. He was hooked on Arabians from then on. Leonard and Sandra went off showing their stallion, Tuffy (the last living son of the great Indraff) to Legion of Merit in about 4 years.

Jeff and Robert Gritz grew up riding. In fact, Jeff rode Tuffy before he could walk!

Leonard Gritz established Hominy Hill Arabians in 1984. This was a breeding, training, and showing operation. Leonard was the Head Honcho. Sandra was in charge of socializing the foals and yearlings and making sure that they were used to being handled, washed, and vetted. Jeff, after apprenticing with various horse trainers, came back to the farm to become Breeding Manager and Junior Trainer. Robert focused on his business career, but continued to ride recreationally and playing Polo from time to time.

In 1985, the first HORSEBALL (actually a Hoppity Hop) was accidentally thrown into a pasture of yearling colts. They were off and running, up and down the pasture, kicking, chasing and tossing the Hoppity Hop back and forth and all around. It looked much like a soccer match. The concept of “Equine Therapeutic Recreation™” was born. When the colts went into their stalls that night, the ones that kicked their feed and water buckets – didn’t. The colts that pawed and dug holes – didn’t. There was no evidence of new chewing amongst those that chewed. It was at that point that Leonard and Jeff realized that they were on to something. Sandra and Jeff started HORSEBALLS, Ltd. as a small mail order company. In 1991, Sandra brought the company into small business mode, computerizing the operation. Sandra and Jeff designed and patented the Eggbutt™ and the Stallball®. Things got rolling and HORSEBALLS, Ltd. grew and thrived. Along with the Eggbutt™ and Stallball®, Sandra designed the PasturePal® Recreational Feeder. The Hopalong Harrison was added to the line as well.

In 2002 the company’s name was changed from HORSEBALLS, Ltd. to Applied Animal Enrichments, LLC. This change reflects the growth of the company into working with zoos and sanctuaries to develop specie specific enrichment implements, as well as continuing to develop more and more products for horses and now, dogs.

As horse people, Applied Animal Enrichments, LLC, develops the safest, most well researched enrichment and therapeutic recreation products. Applied Animal Enrichments, LLC considers safety as the most important element to its products. Of course, function comes in a close second, along with durability, and ease of use.