Equestrian small businesses/minority-owned businesses?

[BigMama1]

@soloudinhere

There’s nothing unique about any of these products, so I’m not sure how they’re “out of the box.”

That being said, no, the OP took it further and wanted nothing from anyone of “privilege.” I imagine white women also count in that regard.

Except thats not at all what she said

[Tigoli]

Can we get back to the original intent of the post? I personally try my best to support small businesses when I can, the OP is just a little more specific about businesses she’s interested in supporting than the average person. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Sure, she may not have worded it perfectly, but I think a reasonable person can take a look at what she said and get the gist of what she’s looking for.

We have a few women owned tack shops near me that I try and frequent before I go looking for what I need at Dover, or buy it online at Smartpak (both of which are excellent companies, that I do indeed buy things from). I think it’s important to support the local community vs. large chain stores. I have a friend who makes ear bonnets in her spare time… I try to buy from her. Periodically I wander Etsy.

Take a deep breath everyone and give her a list of small businesses you enjoy patronizing.

[Denali6298]

@BigMama1

Except thats not at all what she said

Except in both her posts she did. She declared a prefence for people who came from nothing as opposed to rider who rode/rides the nice horses and shows at the big shows, who came from a place of privilege.

@Tigoli I for one have no suggestions because I do not know the the business owners up bringing or sexual preference. I honestly think that’s none of my business. We can all give women owned business suggestions, however they may be rich and straight so…

[Bluey]

@S1969

See, I read it as “the poster would like to support minority, LGBTQ or women-owned businesses.”

Why is it bad to support women-owned businesses, if you are a woman?
Why would it be bad to support minority-owned businesses, if you are a minority?

Etc.

You see this as “avoiding buying from straight white men.” I guess we see what we want to see.

Is there any acceptable way of wanting to support a women/minority/LGBTQ owned business? Or are all of them unacceptable and simply “reverse discrimination?”

Do we need to make all ownership information secret so as not to prey upon our own preferences or even, our own prejudices?

I always wondered at the lack of perspective so many show us regularly.

Now I get it, confirmation bias at it’s best, see the bolded above.

No, it is not “wrong” to follow our biases.
In a free world, we are free to do any we want, including being biased.

The tricky part is, when others point them out to us, realize that is what we are doing, not become defensive and then try to find excuses.
No need to excuse, they are our opinions, if biased or not and our right to them.

The problem as consumers is, marketing makes uses of biases to get us to buy what they sell.
Why not, then, expect, customers to fall for it and not see past it?

Lets just be glad we live where we have the choices we have, whatever ones we make, for whichever reason, or no reason.

[BigMama1]

Precisely. She declared a PREFERENCE. She didn’t say she “wanted nothing to do with people from privilege.” Only you said that.

So far there have been some great suggestions about small business and useful
info about some women-owned big businesses like SmartPak and Kerrits.

I like the company Browbands With Bling. The products are gorgeous and the customer service is amazing!

Another small company with superb products and truly exceptional products (beautiful bridles and halters at ridiculously good prices) is www.soloequine.com. The owner Stephen is definitely white and male, I have no idea about his sexual orientation. But if anyone is looking for gorgeous quality tack and a small business to support definitely check it out.

[Denali6298]

It’s awesome how you can only infer with some posters and not others. Maybe my own bias is showing because the horse world has seemed to be more accepting of LGBT people. At least in my experience. I also am so tired of horse people complaining about the privileged. We own horses. We are way more privileged then a lot of people because we can afford horses.

Again, I’m sorry the OP doesn’t feel apart of the right crowd. The OP sounds young so maybe I shouldn’t be so salty about it.

[muirneen]

I would love an update! Are there any minority-owned equestrian clothing brands in the US?

[Haliburton]

I started to get really upset reading this until I realized it was from 3 years ago. This thread DID NOT age like a fine wine…I’m actually flabbergasted & see a couple of these posters in a different light now. Not a good look, I hope your opinions have changed since?

I, too, would love to learn about POC owned equestrian businesses.

I’m trying to dig up a designer from Africa that makes beautiful saddle pads but I can’t find the link. I did find colorful fake manes & tails that are also gorgeous: https://www.manetresses.com/shop

And I do recommend folks check out @blackequestrians on Instagram because they have great content & occasionally post POC owned businesses https://www.instagram.com/blackequestrians

[anon68314200]

While we’re on the subject, how are B Dover plastic dressage bridles doing? They were out of the box (vegan pleather) and Uber pricey$$. Anyone purchase one at the outset who can report on their performance?

[muirneen]

I was surprised by the posts as well. I would love to see more minority-owned equestrian brands.

[starhorse]

I had a similar reaction. It actually gave me some hope - perhaps we have come farther than I’d realized as a nation? I hope/assume some folks would be mortified to read what they’d written here.

That said, I live in a very liberal area and work in urban education, so, maybe I’m in an echo chamber

[muirneen]

I’m writing a press release for a new Asian-owned equestrian clothing line. Let me know if you know of any other Asian-owned brands. I want to be accurate in my press release.

[muirneen]

It’s interesting how perspectives change! I’m writing a press release for a new Asian-owned equestrian clothing line. Let me know if you know of any other Asian-owned brands. I want to be accurate in my press release.