My name is Alana Bentz Lundberg. I originally started Bentz Horse Training in 2015 upon graduating from Black Hawk College East Campus in Galva, IL with my Equine Science Degree. When I first went to college I never intended on training horses. It never crossed my mind that I would be a successful trainer or coach. I knew I loved horses and my sport and wanted to see how much I could learn and how far I could take it. By the time I graduated, I was so burnt out from school I wanted nothing to do with horses other than my own. I was about to give it all up when a friend called me who I used to ride for and asked me to ride and show her best mare. She couldn’t find a trainer that she got along with. I accepted mainly because I have a hard time saying no and starting exercising her horses. While exercising, I started playing with different techniques and teaching her things that I taught my own horses. She responded very well and had the personality that begged for more. She became supple and strong. Responsive and compliant. I had finally found that I really had a talent for finishing horses. During this time, I started giving lessons as a way to make extra money. I had no idea what it would eventually turn into.
In December of 2017, I moved to Atkinson, IL to start my life with my soon to be husband. I was just finishing up my final degree to become a Medical Lab Technician. I have a great love for medical science and horses and was blessed to be able to pursue both. At this time I had to take a break from horses and focus on finishing my clinicals at Hammond-Henry Hospital where I now also work full time as a Lab Technician.
We bought our dream home in September of 2018 and got married in January of 2019. Our current Atkinson home is the permanent location for my small business.
Taylor Wilson Photography
In 2020, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2. While I don’t have the huge ups and downs of Bipolar 1, I still have to battle with depression, hypomania, anger, insomnia, the list goes on. It took me over 10 years to be diagnosed Bipolar- because I hid what was actually going on from my therapists. Furthermore, I thought what I was feeling was normal. The depression, the hypomania and delusions; all of it I thought was normal. This lead to an incorrect diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and depression because I didn’t disclose suicidal thoughts or obsessive behaviors. The stigma surrounding mental health and mental health disorders is disgusting and I’m doing my part to end that. We do not hide from mental illness here. I have horses that are specifically trained to respond to emotions to help students regulate their emotions.
In the summer of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis. Endometriosis is when the tissue on the inside of the uterus spreads to other organs causing damage and bleeding with every cycle. It can damage bowels, reproductive organs, even the liver beyond repair if left untreated. Stage 4 is the worst it can get. If I let it continue without treatment, I could end up with a bowel resection at best. It is serious, and it’s far more common than you think. Endometriosis is extremely painful whenever it wants to be and can cause extreme exhaustion among other symptoms.
I’m disclosing the fact that I have 2 chronic illnesses, with no cure, not for pity, but for awareness and hopefully inspiration. I’ve had to make huge adjustments. I’ve had to cut somethings out that were dreams of mine for a long time, but on a daily basis, I’ve adopted the ‘no excuses’ attitude. I’m always going to be tired. I’m probably going to be depressed most of the time. None of that is an excuse not to be happy. None of that is an excuse to completely throw away your dreams. You create your own reality. Go out there and be your best you.
B AL-right Equine 