The equestrian world has long been steeped in tradition. Think of heavy wool tweeds and cumbersome protective gear. However, today, a variety of innovative companies are using science to introduce a new era in rider wear and equipment, where comfort and sustainability are fundamental. This movement is being led by forward-thinking innovators who refuse to accept the status quo. One of them is Sara Li, the founder of Mulmet.
Li set out to bridge the gap between heavy, cumbersome safety gear and real-world comfort. She’d spent years in the manufacturing industry and knew firsthand the challenges helmet design posed, where equipment could meet the certification standards demanded by competitive bodies while being non-restrictive and wearable for hours.
In 2025, at Your Horse Live, she unveiled the first Mulmet helmet. It’s dual-certified and has been approved by The British Horse Society, British Showjumping and British Dressage. In a short space of time, it has been lauded by the horse-riding community, with users pointing to the helmet’s light weight, thanks to its multi-density EPS foaming.
One of Li’s ambitions was to reduce rider fatigue as a result of heavier helmets. Most traditional designs weigh over 1kg. Li’s Mulmet is only 450g. It also features seven angle-
moulded ventilation channels to keep riders cool, its geometry designed strategically to maximise airflow without compromising on the helmet’s physical integrity.
Since launching the business, Li has added a range of Mulmet colours and released a series of riding gloves, too. She’s also established an online shop, helping the brand reach a wider customer base. Like established web-based businesses such as ASOS’s discount for first-time orders, and iGaming platforms’ 150 free spins for new customers as part of their online casino promotions, Mulmet gives newcomers 10%. This has further supported the company’s growth in 2026.
Innovation Continues
Mulmet’s emphasis on lightweight, all-weather rider comfort and safety comes at a time when innovation in equipment and clothing is moving at pace. Smart airbag vests and impact detection are part of a wave of modern body protectors that are increasingly integrating smart crash-detection sensors. Not only do these vests, from companies like Seaver, deploy airbags faster than traditional mechanical lanyard systems, but they can also ping the rider’s GPS location to a designated emergency contact.
Such technology is also being incorporated into saddles, with the latest innovations targeting areas such as horse health and performance, as well as rider posture. They work through pressure sensors on the underside of the saddle to detect changes in weight distribution.
Elsewhere, advances in fabrics are improving riding wear. Equetech, for example, has launched lines like the Bellingham Deluxe Stretch Tweed, combining traditional showing aesthetics with modern mesh linings to enhance airflow. The next generation of riding breeches and base layers is even utilising medical-grade compression zones to support muscles and reduce fatigue.
Similarly, companies are setting more ambitious sustainability goals. Alongside advances in comfort and safety, brands are seeking ways to cut waste and achieve carbon net zero. Indeed, Equestrian Stockholm has replaced virgin polyester with recycled ocean plastics. And Eco Equestrian manufactures jodhpurs and riding tights from discarded nylon fishing nets.
An Evolving Market
It’s clear the equestrian market is enhancing equipment through science to improve the experience for both riders and their horses. Pioneers like Sara Li and her Mulmet brand are leading the way in safety, where comfort is not compromised over performance, while the likes of Equetech are thinking outside the box on fabrics, and Eco Equestrian are showing what can be done as the world seeks a carbon-emission-free future.