As equestrians, we are not only passionate about our sport and style, but we also care about the environment. Equestrian retail is an industry that thrives on providing riders and horse owners with the gear and equipment they need to take care of their horses and engage in the sport. However, with a growing focus on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint, the impact of retail on the environment has come under scrutiny. At Country & Stable, we are committed to making a change and stepping up our sustainability game. By making small but meaningful changes, we can all contribute towards a more sustainable future for the planet, our horses, and ourselves. Join us as we delve deep into sustainable retail practices that will inspire you to make your equestrian wardrobe more eco-friendly.

Sustainable Shopping Tips

1. Choose Sustainable Fabrics

   When shopping for horse riding clothing, look for fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and recycled polyester. These materials have less impact on the environment than traditional materials such as normal cotton or synthetic fabrics. For example, organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful chemicals, making it a better option.

2. Support Ethical Brands

   Another way to reduce your fashion footprint is to support ethical brands. Show your support for brands that use eco-friendly materials and practices, fair labour, and worker rights by choosing to purchase from them over less sustainable brands. Some ethical equestrian brands include Ariat, Toggi, Red Gorilla, and more.

3. Upcycle Existing Pieces

   Instead of constantly buying new clothing, consider upcycling or repurposing existing pieces in your wardrobe. Transform old shirts into cloths for cleaning tack or use old riding clothing to patch up your horse's turnout rug. Upcycling not only reduces waste but also adds a personal touch. Get creative and see what new uses you can find for old clothing items.

4. High-Quality Products

   Opt for durable and classic pieces. Choose pieces that will stay in style and can be worn for multiple seasons. Investing in quality riding apparel that will last longer and resist wear and tear will reduce textile waste.

Brands to Make Your Equestrian Wardrobe More Eco-Friendly

Many brands are striving to put sustainability at the forefront of their ethos. Some key players that are working to develop environmentally friendly products are Ariat, Red Gorilla, and Horseware Ireland, to name just a few. If you want to build a better future, these brands can make your own collection more eco-friendly.

Ariat

Ariat is well known for its innovation, especially when it comes to its shoes and riding gear. Below we can explore some of the key technologies Ariat use to provide high-performing and long-lasting products:

Bluesign

Many brands will say their products are Bluesign certified, but what does this mean? The Bluesign standard is the response to growing demands for textile products that are environmentally friendly, pose no health hazards, and conserve resources. Ariat works closely with fabric mills that are Bluesign certified, ensuring these fabrics are created with sustainably responsible resources and processes. The chemicals, processes, and materials brands use with the Bluesign icon demonstrate their commitment to protecting people and the environment.

EcoDRY

If a product from Ariat states it uses EcoDRY technology, it means the product has been crafted using earth-friendly hydrocarbon treatment for waterproofing their products. It still provides you with protection against the elements without harmful chemicals.  

H2Lo

H2Lo denim styles utilise an innovative wash process that uses 50% less water than the typical process. The usual method of stone-washing jeans uses approximately 10,000 litres of water, which is equivalent to 125 baths! Ariat uses a laser treatment instead to distress their denim.

Ethically Sourced Wool

Ariat is committed to preventing unnecessary harm in its ethical wool products. They only source wool products from supply chains that treat sheep respectfully using the Five Freedoms standards as their guideline. Wool is used in Ariat’s products to regulate body temperature, provide antibacterial properties, and reduce odour, and is machine washable too!

Ethically Sourced Down

Ariat has established precise souring requirements to ensure 100% of their down products are from birds that are treated respectfully, using the Five Freedoms standards to prevent unnecessary harm to animals. Down is used in Ariat's products, primarily as insulation in coats and jackets.

Recycled Polyester

Recycled polyester takes a lot less energy to produce, reducing Ariat’s (and your) carbon footprint. It also means we can reduce the number of water bottles entering landfill, helping to cut down on soil contamination and air/water pollution.

ECO BLOOM Collection

Ariat has partnered with Bloom to use reclaimed algae in the soles of Ariat's Eco Bloom shoes to deliver the comfort and style you love. Algae is the fastest-growing plant on Earth. The rise in global temperatures and human activities have contributed to an uncontrollable increase in algae growth in ecosystems worldwide. This is causing harm to plant, animal, and even human life. Bloom converts excess algae biomass into lightweight, durable foam, replacing the plastic materials typically used in conventional soles.

WeatherBeeta

GreenTec

This Australian brand is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, offering a range of products made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, to create their horse rugs and saddle pads.

Green-Tec is their eco-friendly collection of horse and dog rugs that uses recycled plastics for the outer fabric and lining. Every Green-Tec dog coat saves approximately 19 plastic bottles, and every turnout rug for your horse saves over 340 plastic bottles from going into landfill. The Green-Tec use 50% less energy to produce the fabric than a traditional turnout rug making this a better sustainable choice for the environment.

Barbour

This UK-based brand is best known for their classic waxed jackets and high-quality outdoor clothing for the country lifestyle. But did you know they have also been making strides towards sustainability?

Barbour Re-Loved

This service was first introduced in 2019. It encourages customers to return their Barbour waxed jackets that are no longer used to one of their stores in exchange for a £50 voucher to redeem against a new jacket. The jackets that are handed over are then upcycled and sold on to be re-loved in a new home.

Barbour Repair and Re-Wax

This service allows customers to take their beloved Barbour jacket to be re-waxed, repaired or altered. This encourages customers to repair and reuse their Barbour items rather than throwing them away and buying new ones. This helps to reduce waste and extends the life of their products. More information on this can be found on the Barbour website.

Horseware Ireland

Eco Collection

This much-loved equestrian brand has launched a new eco collection, with a goal to keep horses comfortable and protected whilst minimising their environmental impact.

Why not join Horseware's journey to protect the planet by purchasing one of their horse rugs from the eco collection. The Eco Bug Busting Rug is perfect for the summer months! Made with earth-friendly materials such as recycled plastic bottles and nylon, these products offer durability and the benefits of their traditional sheets, reducing their carbon hoofprint to make life better for horses, riders, and the planet.

All their products are also entirely REACH compliant - a regulation of the European Union adopted to improve and protect the environment and human health from risks that chemicals can pose.

Toggi

One brand that is leading the way in sustainable fashion is Toggi. They are making a conscious effort to use environmentally friendly production methods and materials. From recycled materials to reducing water consumption, Toggi's steps towards a greener future include packaging with biodegradable poly bags, recyclable card swing tags, no plastic connectors, and no hangers. Toggi is also moving towards working with sustainable fabrics, such as recycled polyesters and natural fibres like bamboo and cotton. They aim to further reduce their carbon footprint by 25% by the end of 2023.

Red Gorilla

This iconic UK-based company is undoubtedly targeting savvy shoppers who want to support the planet. They make and supply a range of quality yard, stable and gardening products. Their commitment to these practices is what sets them apart.

A Tub for Life is Red Gorilla's promise to provide a quality tub that is built to last. These are more durable than single-use plastic tubs allowing for multiple uses to help people reduce their carbon footprint and their impact on the ecosystem.

Products such as the Gorilla Plas range is all made from 100% recycled materials and made entirely in the UK. Tougher than rubber, easier to keep clean and lighter, making it the perfect heavy-duty, long-lasting product. This also reduces the amount of plastic thrown into landfill.

By using these simple practices, you can make your riding journey more eco-friendly and contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet. Small changes can add up to make a big impact, so why not make a difference today by shopping our sustainable equestrian products .