How all it Began
Shortly after welcoming two ponies, Gracie and Whinnie, into her family, Katie discovered just how much comfort truly matters. Both struggled with recurring laminitis, and during flare-ups she searched tirelessly for ways to ease their pain. Deeply-bedded shavings, rice hulls (a favorite!), endless hours of cleaning and replenishing — none of it gave them the restful relief they deserved.
Katie explored every option she could find. Permanent stall mattresses lacked the depth of padding she wanted and tied her ponies to a single space when they loved resting both indoors and under the open sky. The few mobile solutions were impossibly heavy, difficult to move, and still fell short of the comfort she sought.
So Katie began to design the solution she couldn’t find:
Thick enough to cradle joints and invite deep rest
Stable enough for safe, confident standing
Protected by a durable, cleanable cover that never needs to be removed for washing
Adaptable for both indoor stalls and outdoor turnout
Lightweight and mobile, yet sturdy enough to stay in place
Resilient enough to withstand the Arizona sun and changing seasons
Large enough for horses and ponies to fully stretch into restorative sleep
After months of trial and refinement, she found materials strong enough for yachts and expeditions, yet refined enough to cradle her ponies with lasting comfort. From this devotion, PasturePuff was born — not simply as a product, but as Katie’s promise: that animals deserve the same dignity, comfort, and peace we create for ourselves.
How It’s Going
The most rewarding discovery? Katie’s ponies weren’t the only ones who loved their new retreat. Her dressage athletes and even her yearling began choosing the PasturePuff over any other bedding or soft sand in their paddocks — a clear sign that true comfort transcends age, size, and discipline.
Encouraged by her veterinarian and farrier, who saw both the health and practical benefits, Katie realized PasturePuff was more than a solution for her own herd. It was a gift she could share with equestrians everywhere.
Today, every PasturePuff is proudly created in the United States and manufactured in Arizona with the same devotion and craftsmanship that inspired its beginning.
The Who…
Katie and Horatio at Sport Horse Nationals. Photo taken by Ruth V. Sobeck, DVM
PasturePuff was founded by Katie Ferencik, a U.S. Army Veteran and former professional dressage athlete who competed on behalf of the Army.
Katie trained with Barbro Ask-Upmark, David Hunt, Becky and Hannah Moody, and even taught on the Racewood Equestrian Simulator. She was accepted into preliminary rounds of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program, but when family called, she and her husband shifted focus to raising their young children and providing a “soft landing” for others in their care.
Her horses moved into “occasional athlete” status, but her passion remained. She adopted two ponies—Gracie and Whinnie (originally “Whip” and “Nae Nae”) for her daughters, and under the guidance of Heather Jantzen of Sovereign Farm, began breeding and raising Trakehners, hoping to one day replace her competition horse, Horatio.
Today Katie works full time as a Data Scientist and Analytics Consultant, serves in the U.S. Army Reserve, and, together with her daughters, participates in the Old Pueblo Pony Club in Tucson, AZ. Horses are still at the center of everything.
The What…
Katie describes the PasturePuff Equine Mattress as a “really, really nice, giant dog bed for horses.”
The idea was simple but powerful: create a portable, luxury equine mattress that could move between stall and turnout, giving horses comfort wherever they rested. It had to be durable enough for pawing, chewing, and standing, while still orthopedic and supportive enough for rest and recovery.
Through years of testing, Katie discovered:
Horses prefer 4-inch thickness—thinner wasn’t inviting, thicker was unstable.
The right dual-density memory foam gives orthopedic support while remaining luxuriously soft.
Covers had to survive pawing, biting, rolling, and less-than-tidy horses (looking at you, Gracie!).
After testing many, many different types of fabrics, Katie chose Dimension-Polyant’s X-Pac recycled polyester, renowned in sailing and outdoor gear for its waterproof barrier, tear resistance, and premium durability. Paired with YKK water-resistant zippers and seam-sealed construction, the PasturePuff cover became nearly indestructible—yet soft to the touch.
The result: a USA-made, patent-pending equine mattress designed for horses, loved by ponies, and versatile enough to extend to dogs, working dogs, and veterinary use.
Dani and Gracie - best of pals!
The Why…
Well, Why not?
At its heart, PasturePuff was born from love for horses and the desire to give them the same comfort we expect for ourselves and our dogs.
Horses thrive when they rest well. A supportive sleeping surface promotes healthier joints, better recovery, and a more relaxed, happy animal. Owners get peace of mind knowing their equine partners—whether sport horses, retirees, or rescues—are cared for at the highest level.
PasturePuff isn’t just about a bed. It’s about creating sanctuary, heritage, and lifestyle—a place where horses (and their canine companions) can rest, recover, and simply be.
