Vegan Dressage collection

[poltroon]

That’s so funny. Why be all defensive and huffy about it? Thank your observers for giving their feedback and explain how you’re going to address it. It’s the same answer but it gives the sense that we’re all in this together instead of some sort of weird adversarial thing.

The truth is that people at COTH love buying things and love sharing about the new product they’ve bought and how wonderful it is. Embrace it.

PS: what I would really love out of a non-leather product is comfortable, long lasting pull-on muck boots that fit a normal to wide calf with jeans inside and will last more than 6 months going over wet grass and occasional sinking mud. Make me that and I’ll sing your praises for ages.

[js]

As a potential consumer I want to know a whole lot more then just “what makes the products ethical and environmental friendly”. There is a lot more that goes into a product then just calling it vegan and expecting discerning riders to be happy with that answer.

A few of us did address them directly via email but never received a response.

[Manni01]

Well, I did receive a response and hopefully I will see them this week…

[poltroon]

Truthfully the fact that it is vegan or that the manufacture is “environmentally friendly” is not nearly as interesting to me as having it be environmentally friendly by being a great product that gives great service for years and years and years. IE: it’s not environmentally friendly unless it lasts and I won’t need a replacement in short order.

[js]

@Manni01

Well, I did receive a response and hopefully I will see them this week…

I guess they are picking and choosing who to sell their product too and not wanting everyone.

[Manni01]

@js

I guess they are picking and choosing who to sell their product too and not wanting everyone.

After reading comments like this, I would even agree, if they would do that, but am sure that that is not the case! I have no idea why I got a response and I would still like to buy it if my expectations are met… and if not now maybe in the future!! I am vegan and therefore I really hope that vegan tack will be a thing !!
I will stay cautionously optimistic !!

[alibi_18]

@Pennywell Bay

No offense- I think it is not as environmentally friendly as people want to believe and is marketing (in general) to the latest fad.

Saving animals yet killing the planet. Ironic, isn’t it?

[Jealoushe]

I can’t stand such unprofessionalism. No one isgoing to create a booming business that way.

Can you please address where the products are made, maybe not everyone cares but to me I would rather not support someone who makes things in countries known for poor working conditions and quality.

[js]

@Jealoushe

I can’t stand such unprofessionalism. No one isgoing to create a booming business that way.

Can you please address where the products are made, maybe not everyone cares but to me I would rather not support someone who makes things in countries known for poor working conditions and quality.

Your question was answered on their Facebook page.

"Fantastic craftspeople in Kanpur (India) produce our tack as is the case with most top German saddle and equestrian equipment companies.

i have to question the comment that most top German saddles are made in Kanpur. Anyone have insight on that? I would also say, look at the Ebony LV bridle hanging on the tree, mouse over the picture and look closely.

[soloudinhere]

As expected, made by low wage workers in the most polluted city in the world (according to the WHO in 2016).

A leather worker in Kanpur makes about $3 per day. I am quite sure that’s a lot less than what a worker in Walsall, Germany, or Switzerland would make.

I guess it really depends what your values are and what your interpretation of “ethically elegant” might be.

[Jealoushe]

Yep, sorry but made in India, unless by an expert saddle maker I’m going to say the craftsmanship is poor as is the employment standards of those making it. Mark up on these must be HUGE which is why they only care if a few ppl buy items.

[BigMama1]

Indian leather today is not what it used to be - the quality of higher end Indian leather is quite comparable to many European leathers. Vegan leather? I have no idea. And in terms of ethical and eco friendly…the questions have only multiplied now.

[demidq]

Several “high end” saddlers have components produced in India and then assembled in home country so they can say “made in Germany” (or wherever). I was quite distressed when I heard that an excellent saddler had moved to India to oversee Schleese’s facility.

[Jealoushe]

@BigMama1

Indian leather today is not what it used to be - the quality of higher end Indian leather is quite comparable to many European leathers. Vegan leather? I have no idea. And in terms of ethical and eco friendly…the questions have only multiplied now.

Is it? I have yet to see the quality myself, do you know any companies that are made in India (leather goods I mean) I might have seen? This isn’t leather though either. Not sure what it is.

[GramV]

I was with Manni at Wellington and saw the display and talked to the saddle repairer there. It is very high quality and well made. He showed us the details.

My question, which he did not know the answer to, was, does it break? The leather looking halters, if they do not break, should not be left on horses. I would also be somewhat uncomfortable with a bridle that did not break if it caught on something.

[soloudinhere]

@GramV

I was with Manni at Wellington and saw the display and talked to the saddle repairer there. It is very high quality and well made. He showed us the details.

My question, which he did not know the answer to, was, does it break? The leather looking halters, if they do not break, should not be left on horses. I would also be somewhat uncomfortable with a bridle that did not break if it caught on something.

I’m not sure that we looked at the same line. The one I saw had unfinished edges, and the padding had creases where the noseband curved because the material is. The reins had T hooks instead of buckles or stud hooks that didn’t seem as secure to me.

To each their own, but I did not feel it represented top quality. To be fair, I also feel that way about the Tota line it’s based on and is probably made by the same people.

[js]

Again,mouse over the ebony lv bridle hanging on the tree that is on the web site, look close at the ends of the straps, the nose band and the inside of one strap where there is some lining showing. A proto type when they were in development? However, the finish is ?? The finishes look much better on the other bridles but this one bridle isn’t the best.

[GramV]

@soloudinhere

I’m not sure that we looked at the same line. The one I saw had unfinished edges, and the padding had creases where the noseband curved because the material is. The reins had T hooks instead of buckles or stud hooks that didn’t seem as secure to me.

To each their own, but I did not feel it represented top quality. To be fair, I also feel that way about the Tota line it’s based on and is probably made by the same people.

The saddle repairer told me that the unfinished nosebands were done purposely so you could attach flashes, or just sew it down. Either way, $800 for a bridle is not in my realm.

[Pennywell_Bay]

@GramV

The saddle repairer told me that the unfinished nosebands were done purposely so you could attach flashes, or just sew it down. Either way, $800 for a bridle is not in my realm.

Pennywell grabs sewing kit to sew parts on her new $800 bridle… wait- THAT’S not going to happen. Maybe they’ll make a kit we can just build our own saddles…

[Laurierace]

I saw most of this line minus the saddle yesterday. I must say it was really beautiful and felt very soft and supple in my hand. The crystals on the browband were odd looking because they are stuck on top instead of being embedded like pretty much every other browband I have ever seen. I have no idea how it will hold up but looks like nice stuff. I am not spending $600 on a bridle or $300 for a girth no matter what it is made out of so it’s not something I would ever consider for that reason alone.