There’s something I think we could all do a little more of within the equine industry: support each other simply because we want to.
Small businesses work incredibly hard to build their brands. Behind every little company is usually a real person, putting in the hours, taking the risks, answering messages late at night, packing orders, travelling miles, creating products and trying to provide the best service they possibly can.
And sometimes, it feels like small businesses are expected to give something away just to get a little bit of support in return.
“Like and share for a chance to win…”
“Follow us to enter…”
“Tag three friends…”
Of course, giveaways can be great fun and they absolutely have their place. But supporting a small business shouldn’t always need an incentive.
If you’ve bought something from a small equestrian business and you genuinely love it, why not tell people?
- Leave them a review
- Share their page
- Tag them in a photo
- Share their story
- Recommend them to a friend
- Tell someone about the service you received
It costs you absolutely nothing — but to a small business, it can mean an enormous amount.
A genuine review can help someone decide to place their first order. A share can put a business in front of a potential new customer. A recommendation can lead to a booking. And sometimes, simply hearing someone say “I love what you’re doing” can make all those long hours feel worthwhile.
We don’t always need to compete
The equine industry is full of incredible small businesses — from transport companies and saddlers to clothing brands, photographers, feed suppliers, trainers, makers, livery yards and everything in between.
There is room for all of us.
Supporting another business doesn’t mean taking business away from your own. In fact, building a community where businesses genuinely recommend and celebrate each other can make the whole industry stronger.
If you’ve had a great experience with someone, shout about it.
If you love their product, tell people.
If you think another small business deserves recognition, give them some.
And if you’re a small business yourself, remember that you don’t always need to pay for coverage or give away your hard-earned products and services to deserve attention.
Good businesses deserve to be talked about because they’re good.
So perhaps we can make a little more effort to support people simply because we appreciate what they do.
Not because there’s a prize.
Not because we’ve been offered a discount.
Not because we’ve been asked to tag ten people.
Just because people supporting people is a pretty good thing.
Especially in an industry where so many of us are small businesses, working hard to make our dreams happen.
Buy from them. Recommend them. Review them. Share them. Celebrate them.
Because sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference to a small business.
And the best part?
It doesn’t cost a thing. ❤️🐴
