Equestrian retail is a specialist, high-value market. Horse owners spend significantly on feed, supplements, rugs, tack, and rider clothing. Safety is a primary purchase criterion — riding helmets and body protectors must meet specific safety standards. The market is seasonal (rugs in autumn/winter, fly products in spring/summer) and relationship-driven — horse owners tend to be loyal to trusted retailers. Migrating to Shopify suits equestrian retail, particularly for retailers with both online and physical presence.

Product categories

Riding helmets: Must meet current safety standards. Sizing by head circumference.
Body protectors: BETA rated. Sized by body measurement and back length.
Horse rugs: Turnout, stable, cooler, fly sheets. Sized in feet and inches (e.g. 6'0, 6'3, 6'6).
Tack: Saddles, bridles, girths, bits. Sizing by horse measurement.
Rider clothing: Jodhpurs, breeches, riding boots, gloves. Standard clothing sizing.
Horse feed: Forage, hard feed, balancers. Sack weight (kg).
Horse supplements: Joint, digestive, hoof, calming supplements. Daily dosage.
Stable equipment: Brushes, haynets, mucking out tools, stable matting.

Riding helmet safety standards

Riding helmets must meet minimum safety standards — outdated helmets should not be sold:

Current UK/European standard: PAS 015:2011 (most common for general riding), VG1 01.040 2014-12 — both widely accepted by riding schools and insurers
Cross-country standard: British Eventing and British Riding Clubs require SNELL E2016, ASTM F1163-15, or PAS 015 with 5-star BETA label for cross-country phases
BETA stars: BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) tests helmets — 3-star, 4-star, 5-star ratings; 5-star strongly recommended
Do not sell helmets below current standards — they will not be accepted at affiliated events and should not be used for riding
Replace after impact: helmets should be replaced after any significant impact — note in product description

product.metafields.equestrian.safety_standard = "PAS 015:2011 / VG1 / SNELL E2016 / ASTM F1163"
product.metafields.equestrian.beta_rating = "4-star / 5-star"
product.metafields.equestrian.suitable_for = "General riding / Cross country / Racing"
product.metafields.equestrian.size_system = "Head circumference cm / UK hat size"

Body protector BETA ratings

Body protectors are classified by impact protection level:

BETA Level 3 (Brown): provides a reasonable level of protection — minimum requirement for horse riding activities
BETA Level 3+ (Purple): enhanced protection above standard Level 3
BETA Level 3+ with BETA 2018 standard: recommended for cross-country and jumping
Airjacket / air vest: inflatable safety vests worn over body protectors for additional protection
Sizing: back length (base of neck to base of spine) and chest circumference — both required; provide size guide content page

Horse rug specifications

product.metafields.equestrian.rug_type = "Turnout / Stable / Cooler / Fly sheet / Combo"
product.metafields.equestrian.denier = "600D / 1200D / 1680D"  // outer shell strength
product.metafields.equestrian.fill_weight_g = "200"             // grams per square metre
product.metafields.equestrian.waterproof = "true"
product.metafields.equestrian.waterproof_rating_mm = "3000"    // hydrostatic head
product.metafields.equestrian.size_system = "Feet-inches"       // 6'0, 6'3, etc.
product.metafields.equestrian.neck_cover = "Detachable / Fixed / None"

Equine supplement regulations

Horse supplements sold in the UK are regulated as feed additives:

UK Feed Additives Regulation (assimilated EU 1831/2003): feed additives must be authorised — note if product contains authorised additives
BETA NOPS (No Prohibited Substances): supplements for competition horses should carry BETA NOPS or UFAS certification — note clearly on product; tested for substances prohibited under FEI rules
Feeding rate: maximum daily dosage per 500kg horse — required on label; state on product page
Claims: do not make veterinary claims on supplements — supplements cannot be marketed as treating or preventing conditions; note functional benefits only

product.metafields.supplement.beta_nops = "true"
product.metafields.supplement.ufas_certified = "true"
product.metafields.supplement.daily_dose_g = "30"
product.metafields.supplement.duration_days = "90"             // one pack duration
product.metafields.supplement.suitable_for = "Performance / Breeding / Veteran / All"

Seasonal rug inventory planning

Horse rugs are highly seasonal — autumn and winter are the primary selling period:

Turnout and stable rugs: September–March peak; stock management critical
Summer/fly sheets: April–September; lighter products
Pre-season promotions: late summer (August) rug promotions ahead of autumn — plan markdown strategy
Rug washing and repair services: some equestrian retailers offer rug wash services — consider as an add-on service at checkout

Post-migration checklist for equestrian stores

Helmets: safety standard (PAS 015/VG1/SNELL) and BETA star rating on all helmets; do not sell below current standards
Body protectors: BETA level on all body protectors; sizing by back length and chest
Rugs: type, denier, fill weight (g), waterproof rating, size system (feet-inches) on all rugs
Supplements: BETA NOPS certification noted; daily feeding rate on all supplement products
Seasonal inventory: rug stock levels reviewed pre-autumn; summer products clearanced August
Size guides: rider clothing size guide; horse rug measuring guide; body protector fitting guide as content pages

Migrating a horse and equestrian store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)