Our Story

Herd of Zebras Logo Emblem

HERD OF ZEBRAS

STRONGER, BRAVER, KINDER 

Herd of Zebras is more than an equestrian lifestyle brand; it’s a global community of badass people who inspire others with their perseverance, grit, compassion, and authenticity. What other people might call scars, whether physical or emotional, we call stripes: the experiences and hardships that cause us to become stronger, kinder, and braver. 

You will see colorful stripes throughout our designs.  From Equestrian Gifts to Equestrian Apparel, these stripes are the visual cue we use to remind ourselves and everyone else that no two people are alike. What might look like scars to others are, in our world, colorful stripes that deserve to be honored and celebrated.  From battling health issues to showing your pride to being uniquely you, we celebrate you!

We are a small business owned by women and always seek to support other women-owned small businesses in our creative collaborations. 

We know that everyone has a unique story and that’s what Herd of Zebras is all about. Through our products, pictures, actions, collaborations, and ambassadors, we share a message of survival, inclusivity, and empowerment. 

About Forest

Forest and her herd

As many members of the Herd do, Forest found her voice through struggle. She battled endometriosis for years and refused to let it completely take over her life. 

She searched for someone who could relate to her struggles: other young people suffering from this serious illness, recovering from a hysterectomy at a young age before having children. She wanted true understanding and support from a community of people. 

But that community didn’t exist, so she created one. 

Starting with her farm family, Forest brought together a herd of tenacious people who wanted a community to lean on while working to create a better world. 

Together, they found they were stronger as a herd. Their bond grew alongside their influence on the equestrian community, allowing them to reach beyond their own fenceline. Now you can find signs of the herd worldwide, inside homes, dorm rooms, gyms, on car bumpers, and even on the back of a horse. 

Forest’s own personal herd includes her husband Dan, their dogs, and their horses and mini ponies. She is competing with her mare Bindi, who she has owned since she was a weanling and brought along herself, in the show jumpers.

 

About Our Mascot, Sparky the Zebra

Meet Sparky HofZ Mascot

We chose a zebra for our mascot because we believe everyone has unique stripes, just like zebras. And that, like zebras, we’re stronger as a herd. 

We named and modeled our mascot after Forest’s soulmate, Sparky, a gray large pony with a larger-than-life personality. 

Before Forest and Sparky met in 1995, he was a pack pony in Montana. He taught Forest what it took to be a true equestrian over the 25 years they had together as she grew as a show jumper and as a person. 

Sparky passed away in June of 2020, but his memory and strength live on in Forest and in the Herd. He is deeply missed.

Ready to Join the Herd?

Sparky Zebra Herd

You’re already in! But let’s make it official. You can follow us on the ’gram, Facebook, and TikTok. Represent the herd with #HofZ swag online or around town. No matter what action you take, we’re inducting you into our Herd Hall of Fame for surviving the situations that gave you your stripes.