Mountain Horse is a well-established brand that most riders and equestrian enthusiasts are familiar with. Whether it's the beginner's first jodhpurs or the competitive rider's favorite riding breeches, many of these items often come from Mountain Horse. They are known for their stylish and functional riding apparel, perfectly suited for Nordic climates, as well as their extensive range of shoes and boots. Mountain Horse operates with the philosophy of offering high-quality equestrian fashion at an affordable price.
When Was Mountain Horse Founded?
Mountain Horse is a Swedish company that was founded in 1988 by Lars Sjöswärd. Even today, the company is operated by the family in Vallda, Kungsbacka, where the headquarters and design studio are also located.
The Equestrian Brand that Made Waves Worldwide
Lars himself started riding at the age of 9, but it was his daughter Catherina's riding, and her struggle with cold during riding, that led him to establish Mountain Horse. Besides Lars and the family's strong interest in equestrian sports, almost all employees in Vallda are riders, which means there is significant knowledge and experience behind the development of their products.
Mountain Horse has, for many decades since its inception, influenced how riders all over the world dress and equip themselves. Mountain Horse was the first on the market with insulated winter riding boots, a comfortable riding jacket that protects against both rain and cold, as well as soft, ergonomic riding shoes, which are an evolution from basketball boots.
Mountain Horse is sold in five continents and approximately 30 countries, and today it is one of the world's most imitated brands.
Mountain Horse Riding Boots & Shoes – in a Class of Their Own
Riding boots and riding shoes are strongly associated with Mountain Horse, and it's not surprising considering that riding boots were the first products Mountain Horse ever developed, being the first to introduce insulated boots to the market. They offer high quality combined with an affordable price, along with a strong focus on durability, which is a key factor in their success in this segment.
In addition to classic riding boots, such as the High Rider or the favorite Sovereign, which received the "Best In Test" award in 2019 by Horse and Rider, Mountain Horse also offers affordable junior boots. When it comes to shoes, they have a great selection of everything from laced boots to riding shoes with zippers, to traditional jodhpurs.
A Complete Wardrobe for All Riders
In addition to riding boots and shoes, Mountain Horse has a wide range of riding clothes for riders of all ages. Whether you need a long riding coat, a pair of riding pants, or new riding gloves, you can always turn to Mountain Horse. They offer a complete wardrobe for both adults and children.
How Does Mountain Horse Approach Sustainability?
Mountain Horse products are produced with respect and goodwill towards people and the environment. No decisions are made without reflecting on these aspects. They are constantly working to improve their processes, choose environmentally friendly materials whenever possible, and minimize their water, energy, and chemical consumption.
Suppliers & Production
When Mountain Horse selects its manufacturers and production methods, they do so with care. They consciously keep the number of suppliers and manufacturers to a minimum, only five, to ensure control over the working conditions of employees. All factories that collaborate with Mountain Horse are required to sign and adhere to a code of conduct. Mountain Horse also has an office in China, where employees help communicate with suppliers regarding working conditions, environmental work, and quality standards. Representatives from the Swedish office also travel to China, where production takes place, approximately 2-3 times a year to ensure the work is in line with their standards.
Animal Welfare
According to Mountain Horse's policy, animals must be treated with respect. When animals are involved in their production methods, they ensure that they are treated ethically and that no animals suffer due to careless treatment.
In Mountain Horse's code of conduct, which all suppliers must sign, it is stated, among other things, that down and feathers may only come from strictly controlled suppliers where the down is a byproduct of the food industry. Down and feathers from suppliers who practice live plucking or force-feeding are not used by Mountain Horse. All garments containing down or feathers are accompanied by a certificate to confirm this. Down and feathers are only accepted if they are approved by RDS or IDF.
Regarding wool, Mountain Horse products cannot come from sheep that have been subjected to mulesing or from breeders who perform mulesing. Wool is only purchased from farms that can guarantee mulesing-free wool.
As for fur, Mountain Horse takes a strong ethical stance against the use of real fur. Products that are trimmed with fur always use faux fur.
Chemicals
To produce textiles with the properties that riding clothing requires, chemicals are needed. Chemicals do not have to be harmful; it's just a matter of making the right choice. Mountain Horse is constantly working to avoid dangerous substances in their riding clothes and other products, as well as using as environmentally friendly chemicals as possible. Since 2017, they have employed someone full-time to handle these issues. They are also members of the Chemical Group Swerea IVF, whose mission is to provide member companies with current information on legislation and offer special support from their chemists.
Materials
When Mountain Horse considers introducing a new material into production, they take their time comparing different materials to find the most environmentally friendly option. In their riding pants, they use Tencel® from Lenz ing Fibres due to its fantastic properties in terms of comfort and durability. Tencel® is a natural material made from cellulose from fast-growing tree species. Its production is environmentally friendly thanks to the closed-loop process, which means that as much as possible is recycled and reused. Tencel® has been awarded "the European Award for the Environment" by the EU.
