Equestrian brands manufactured in Uk or close by?

[now_loves_mares]

As I "invest" heavily in horse stuff, I'd really like to avoid Chinese/Far East manufactured goods. But brands genuinely made even partially in the UK or EU are hard to come by.

I don't mind paying more, but struggling to identify which brands are ok? I know it's hard to tell, for example I'm fairly sure my thermatex was made in the uk, less sure if the fabric itself was. But I've got to start somewhere I guess.

Any knowledge out there to start me off?

 

[Zoejl]

I make all my bridles, tack, and dog collars here in the UK
www;pioneerendurance.co.uk and www.dezignadogcollar.co.uk, and it is hard to compete with mass produced far eastern companies.

 

[Renvers]

I have rugs from Lavenham and Teviot Equine - all made in the UK (as are Thermatex and Harpley Equestrian stuff) and they are great.

My riding gloves come from Chester Jeffries (some are made in China but the ones I like are still made in England). I get saddlepads from Morpheus or Griffin Nuumed - all made in the UK.

Horseware told me that all Rambo turnouts are made in Ireland - although all their other ranges Rhino, Amigo and all stable rugs are made in China.

Ooh, and my Hunter replacements are made by Century Boots (or Century Dip-tech) and are made in uk by the firm who used to make Hunters when Hunters were made to last.

There are lots out there, often small companies who could use the support of UK buyers. They do tend to cost more but travel far fewer miles and are, from my experience much better quality and more durable.

Happy shopping!

 

[kassieg]

Love teviot rugs! ! Expensive but so worth the money! !

 

[hnmisty]

I will monitor this, fed up of buying made in China tat!

 

[Tess Love]

Can recommend Morpheus saddle pads too, nice quality and good customer service. Shame more isn't made in this country, hard to even find a local shop selling equestrian products full stop near me have to rely on online shops mainly.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I'd like to know what brands are made in the UK and Ireland too. Not just packaged here but actually designed and made here with UK textiles and leather etc.
Aerborn is a British company, isn't it ?

 

[Sare]

Lansdown

Barnsby

 

[Tash88]

Are Sabre bridles (and their other leatherwork) made in the UK? I know they use English leather so I'm guessing they are.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Thanks for responses so far. I could have sworn my Rambo Optimo said it was made in China but will check again.

A few other ideas to check too. I would buy EU too. Must hate the quality of the Far East stuff, without going into the myriad of ethical issues.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I make my own hand made bridlework and other products some of which I have a Trade Mark on, all here in costa del Surrey!
Oz

 

[longdog]

For riding clothes, Equetech do a lot made in Britain. Also Bucas rugs are mostly made in Ireland, Jeffries bridle work is largely UK made, most saddlery companies are UK eg Barnsby, Harry Dabbs, Patrick saddles, Thorowgoods, Kent & Masters, Fairfax, Loxley & Bliss saddles. For hats both Charles Owen & Champion are uk made. Body protectors from How's, Airowear & Rodney Powell. It is harder to find footwear as most are made in China. Any one add any more?

 

[Highlands]

Are Sabre bridles (and their other leatherwork) made in the UK? I know they use English leather so I'm guessing they are.

Yes in Walsall still

 

[Tash88]

Good to know

 

[Geegeesarah]

Harold Moore well made plastic stable and yard equipment all made in Sheffield.

 

[longdog]

Forgot, Griffin wool products and Abbey bits

 

[Renvers]

I was randomly looking at leather riding boots last night and found these which are made in britain

http://www.welligogs.com/

http://www.regent-footwear.co.uk/riding-boots.html

Also i remember talking to a lady from a company called urchin or urchin clothing who had a stand at aston le walls selling some lovely clothes that are made in market harborough

 

[Sabre Leather]

Sabre products are most definately made in the UK...in our "lovely" factory in Walsall www.sabreleather.com

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Flyde saddelry

Lots of saddleries in Walsall isn't there! x

 

[Sabre Leather]

Sadly Carrots&Mints, no, there's not many of us left at all now :-(

 

[magicmoose]

Urchin Clothing is all designed and made in the UK. Golly Galoshes gaiters are also made in the UK.

Both companies with great products and lovely people!

 

[Jesstickle]

I think polypads are still made in the UK aren't they?

 

[Shear Ease]

I'm sorry I'm not adding a lot of value in terms of an answer but it really bugs me how easy it is for something to say 'Made in the UK' on it. Scissors have to have a minuscule amount of british steel to be labelled 'british steel'. Clippers labelled 'Made in UK' when they are only assembled in the UK, but are made up of parts from bongo bongo land... Annoying! Rant over.

 

[sunleychops]

I'm sorry I'm not adding a lot of value in terms of an answer but it really bugs me how easy it is for something to say 'Made in the UK' on it. Scissors have to have a minuscule amount of british steel to be labelled 'british steel'. Clippers labelled 'Made in UK' when they are only assembled in the UK, but are made up of parts from bongo bongo land... Annoying! Rant over.

Bongo Bongo Land

 

[sunleychops]

And more companies would manufacture in the UK if it was cost effective and half of the lazy arse population got some motivation to do a good job!

 

[Herts05]

Pro Tector riding hats and Equino Chaps to name but two

Great thread, would be great to have a high profile website that all these could be listed on

 

[now_loves_mares]

I'm sorry I'm not adding a lot of value in terms of an answer but it really bugs me how easy it is for something to say 'Made in the UK' on it. Scissors have to have a minuscule amount of british steel to be labelled 'british steel'. Clippers labelled 'Made in UK' when they are only assembled in the UK, but are made up of parts from bongo bongo land... Annoying! Rant over.

You are right. But we've got to start somewhere!

 

[now_loves_mares]

But also more would manufacture in the UK if customers voted with their wallets (and fed back why they were not buying the products, of course!)

 

[Sabre Leather]

British manufactures cannot hope to ever compete on price; we pay more for the buckles alone that we use on some of our bridles than you can go & buy a whole imported bridle for!!! So, if you want cheap, then it's not going to be made in the UK :-(