Product
Empowering Equestrians
Situation
Project Details
Equestrians lacked a convenient tool to determine the right blankets for their horses based on the weather. Recognizing this need, Schnieders emerged as an ideal candidate to address the gap, enhance the equestrian lifestyle, and become the go-to resource for horse owners managing their horse's blanketing schedule.
Employer
Schnieders Saddlery
My Role
In-house Graphic Designer
Date
August 2016
Collaboration with
Heather terdan
Process
Warming Up
Building on Schneider's top-selling product, I focused on simplifying horse blanketing schedules and fostering community. I sketched out a feed to function as a dashboard, enabling users to manage their horses, receive weather alerts, and shop easily for blankets and tack.
Action
Recommended Solution
At the time, technology in the equestrian industry had just started.
After researching competitors such as smartpak and barn manager, it became clear there were gaps in technology throughout the equestrian industry. There was a need for an app that helped equestrians manage their horses, and their barns. After talking to many of Schneider's customers, it was also clear equestrians also needed help blanketing their horses.
Schnieder's has been recognized as a top-selling horse blanket company. Therefore, our app concept emphasizes weather-related functionality which helps equestrians appropriately blanket their horses. The hopes were to make the equestrian lifestyle easier and become the ultimate tool for blanketing horses.
Schnieder's has been recognized as a top-selling horse blanket company. Therefore, our app concept emphasizes weather-related functionality which helps equestrians appropriately blanket their horses. The hopes were to make the equestrian lifestyle easier and become the ultimate tool for blanketing horses.
Results
Validation and industry improvement
Although the idea of the ultimate equestrian pocket resource was pitched and received well, Schnieder's stakeholders did not find it a priority to invest in technology as sales success continued to rise consistently.
However, a couple of years later - a competitor and a man named Patrick Husting both saw the value.
In 2017 Smartpak, who was originally researched throughout this project, launched their own Blanketing App.
In 2018 The Equestrian App launched. This app enables horse owners and businesses to connect through the care and enjoyment of their horses.
Within the first six months, The Equestrian App had over 3,500 users. Today The Equestrian App has over 33,000 members with over 35,000 horse profiles.
However, a couple of years later - a competitor and a man named Patrick Husting both saw the value.
In 2017 Smartpak, who was originally researched throughout this project, launched their own Blanketing App.
In 2018 The Equestrian App launched. This app enables horse owners and businesses to connect through the care and enjoyment of their horses.
Within the first six months, The Equestrian App had over 3,500 users. Today The Equestrian App has over 33,000 members with over 35,000 horse profiles.
Below you will find highlights from The Equestrian App and SmartPak Blanketing App that validates the idea originally pitched to Schnieders:
"There has never been an app like “The Equestrian” before. From the day-to-day stall management, boarding needs, leasing rules, training plan, veterinarian exams, farrier visits, marketplace and more, this app can manage it all. We all want the best for our horses so we built “The Equestrian” to be that exclusive, one-of-a-kind app you can rely upon every day for your horse’s health and pleasure."
Patrick husting | The equestrian app
