Natural Horsemanship Opens Stable Door to Premium Pet Products
Running counter to many traditional horse-keeping practices and training techniques, the "natural horsemanship" movement has grown popular among horse enthusiasts. A major part of natural horsemanship is the environment in which horses are kept in order to minimize veterinary visits and reduce physical and mental health problems.
Natural Marketing Opportunity
According to Packaged Facts, despite the focus on "natural" conditions, natural horsemanship actually presents a marketing opportunity for the horse industry. Overall, the horse product market has been slow to ride the premium and natural product wave that has been developing in the small companion animal markets for some time. However, this growing trend toward natural horsemanship has caused some owners to rethink the products they are buying.
Spending More Naturally
Although natural horsemanship owners may spend less money on shoes and veterinary care for ulcers and colic, they may actually end up spending more in the long run—e.g., on natural feeds and supplements, holistic treatments and herbs, specialized (i.e., expensive) barefoot trims or boots, etc. (to enable their horses to live without shoes), and bitless bridles. In fact, the demand for natural products is great enough that most major equine retailers now have a section just for them, and natural equine product websites abound online.
Studies Promote Effectiveness of Equine Therapy from Dogs.
Equine therapy (also referred to as horse therapy, equine-assisted therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy) is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions between patients and horses. It is similar to how therapy dogs and cats are used to help humans with emotional and physical ailments to recover more quickly. Equine therapy typically involves activities—such as grooming, feeding, haltering and leading a horse—that are supervised by a health professional, with the support of a horse professional. The goal of equine therapy is to help patients develop needed skills and attributes, including accountability, responsibility, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and self-control. Equine therapy also provides an innovative environment in which the therapist and the patient can identify and address challenges.
Studies have shown that equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show marked improvements in assertiveness, emotional awareness, problem-solving skills and social responsibility. Many of the benefits of equine therapy are likely due to the nature of the animals with which the patient and equine therapist are interacting. Because of the horse's natural traits, which include a non-judgmental disposition and an ability to mirror attitudes and behaviours of the humans with whom they are working, they are ideal therapy partners. This type of therapy has helped to successfully treat a variety of issues, including substance abuse, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, grief/loss and trauma.
About the Report
U.S. Equine Market, 3rd Edition highlights strategic directions for current and prospective marketers, with a forward-looking focus on high-growth product segments and market drivers. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the market, covering cross-market trends and opportunities in both equine supplies and services. It thoroughly reviews competitive, new product and retail trends, as well as trends in equine owner demographics.
View additional information about U.S. Equine Market, 3rd Edition, including purchase options, the abstract, table of contents, and related reports at Packaged Facts' website: https://www.packagedfacts.com/Equine-Edition-10706833/.
More Packaged Facts reports on pet products & services are available for purchase at: https://www.packagedfacts.com/pet-products-services-c124/.