Katy Anderson first started riding horses when she was five years old. Growing up, she always wanted to do something to help others enjoy horses as much as she has.
"There's something about horses that's good for people," Anderson said, smiling. "You just need to learn how to do it (ride) and do it safely."
Anderson recently started a new business - Anderson Equestrian Center, LLC - that boards horses and teaches lessons. She held an open house Sunday.
Currently, Anderson's stable is boarding two horses and has one student, Lily Breitweiser, who has been taking lessons the past couple months. The once a week, 30-40 minute lessons mainly focus on saddle seat discipline.
Breitweiser, 9, meets with Anderson on Saturdays for her lessons. While Breitweiser has been around horses often, she said she hadn't been on a horse until she started taking lessons. Anderson has been working with Breitweiser on posting.
"It wasn't really scary," Breitweiser said. "It (posting) takes a long time to learn."
For the lessons, Anderson is leasing a horse named Freida from William Woods University, her alma matter. Anderson graduated in 2009 with a double major in equestrian science and special education. She teaches at McIntire Elementary School in Fulton. While in college, Anderson got certified with the American Riding Instructors Association. She has kept her certification current since graduating.
"I like teaching others how to ride them and enjoy them," Anderson said.
In high school, Anderson, who grew up in Pennsylvania, spent her summers working barns and giving riding lessons at summer camps. The past several years, she has taught in and helped with William Woods' summer riding programs.
Katy Anderson and her husband, John, are renting almost 15 acres on State Road J in Millersburg for the business. The land has two arenas and a grass pasture. They registered as a business and started renting the property in June. They have spent the past several months getting the property ready for the horses.
The Andersons have further improvements in mind for the property. Katy and her husband said they would like to enclose one of the arenas on the property so they can teach lessons in all types of weather, all year long. Anderson also mentioned wanting to add web cams to the stalls in the future so that those boarding their animals can check in on them from their computer at home.
Anderson Equestrian Center is located at 4271 State Road J. They offer various lesson packages - $45 per lesson, one month for $180, two months for $315 or three months for $405. For more information about boarding a horse or to schedule lessons, call (573) 881-2629.