What Dover’s Closing Reveals About Equestrian Retail w/Orchid Bertelsen

If you’ve been anywhere near horse social media lately, you’ve probably seen the conversations around Dover Saddlery’s closures and liquidation sales. But what actually happened behind the scenes? And what does it reveal about the future of the equestrian industry?In this episode, I’m joined by Orchid Bertelsen, writer of the Substack Back in the Saddle, to break down the Dover story from both an economic and rider perspective.With a background in e-commerce, consumer marketing, and brand strategy, Orchid offers a fascinating look at why equestrian retail has struggled to evolve, what this means for local tack shops and brands, and why adult amateurs and horse moms are often overlooked despite driving so much spending in the sport.We also talk about:Why equestrian e-commerce still feels stuck in 2008How trainers influence buying decisionsThe challenges local tack shops faceWhy discoverability is a huge issue in the horse worldWhat horse businesses can learn from modern retailAnd why there’s still reason to feel hopeful about the future of the industryIf you’ve ever struggled to buy boots online, wondered why horse businesses are so hard to find, or felt like the horse world makes things harder than they need to be, this episode is for you.Resources MentionedPresenting Sponsor: Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplieshttps://www.bigdweb.com/ Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order.Orchid Bertelsen, Back in the SaddleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchidinthesaddle/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@orchidinthesaddleSubstack: https://orchidinthesaddle.substack.com/Big Dee's Tack & Vet Supplieshttps://www.bigdweb.com/ Use code BHM10 to get an additional 10% off your order.Broke Horse MomsNewsletter: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/newsletterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brokehorsemomsThe Swag Barn: https://www.brokehorsemoms.com/swagbarn - Use code BHM10 to get 10% off your order.