It's About Horse Power
Janelle Robinson believes that more horse power is always better. As a physical therapist, Janelle specializes in hippotherapy (hippos is Greek for horse), in which horses' movements are used as a tool in therapy. At the Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, California, she uses her truck to transport horse gear. After work, Janelle hooks up her fifth-wheel horse trailer behind her Dodge Ram dualie diesel to haul her horse Nikolai to riding events.
Janelle described her truck's cab as basic, with a cloth interior and an AM/FM radio--no CD. Tucked into the center console were gum, pens, and a pack of tissues. Gear for her horse, such as buckets and show pads, was carried in back.
What Janelle likes best about the exterior of her truck are the big chrome grille, the roof-mounted running lights, and the 18-wheeler-style wheels. She modified the truck with Ram's-head taillight covers, pinstriping, and a spray-in bedliner. Extra-large, tasteful mud flaps were also added. When asked if she felt she received more attention from men when driving her truck, she said, "Yes, they see the horse and want to see who's behind the wheel."
I asked Janelle how she felt about her Dodge. She said, "I love my truck!" It makes her feel "safe, powerful, and up tall."