About Us
Our Story & Mission
From apple orchards to the arena
Every small step can make a significant impact
An Industry at a Crossroads
The global leather industry processes over one billion animals annually, relying on intensive farming and chemical-heavy tanning processes that release heavy metals, formaldehyde, and toxic dyes into waterways. The equestrian world has depended on this material for centuries — not out of preference, but out of habit and a perceived lack of alternatives.
At Equinetree, we asked a different question: what if premium equestrian equipment didn't have to come at the cost of the planet or its animals?
0 kg
Of chemicals required to process just one ton of raw hide
0+
Tanneries operating in India alone
0%
Of global industrial wastewater pollution comes from leather (UNIDO)
What changes when we choose differently
0 L
of water embedded in every kg of conventional leather produced
Water Footprint Network / Springer
0%
of all global greenhouse gas emissions come from livestock supply chains
FAO
0%
of Amazon deforestation is driven by cattle ranching
WWF
0M t
of chromium-bearing waste generated by leather tanning every year
Nature Scientific Reports
We started with a simple belief
Equinetree makes horseware from plant-based materials for riders who care about what their gear is made from, without giving up on quality or design.
Central to everything we make is Uppeal™, grown from apple pomace, the waste left over after juice production. Water-resistant, PVC-free, and hypoallergenic by nature.
We're not asking you to choose between performance and sustainability. Our products are built for the stable, designed for the arena, and made with materials you can genuinely feel good about.
0%
Toxic chemicals
Apple waste, transformed into something extraordinary.
From Apple Orchards to the Stable
Uppeal™ is made from the upcycled byproducts of apple production — the pomace left behind after juice extraction. What most industries discard as waste becomes the foundation of every Equinetree product.
Equestrian equipment takes more punishment than almost any other application — constant exposure to sweat, moisture, and tension. Uppeal™ was chosen because it holds up to those demands. It requires 70% less drinking water to produce than traditional leather, is PVC-free and hypoallergenic — kinder to horses with sensitive skin — and stays soft and flexible where leather tends to stiffen and crack.
Our Core Values
01
Responsibility & Innovation
We believe in pushing boundaries while taking responsibility for our environmental impact. Every decision we make considers both innovation and sustainability.
02
Design Meets Function
High-quality design merged with exceptional functionality. Our products are as beautiful as they are practical, built to perform in the arena and beyond.
03
Environmental Priority
The planet comes first. Our production partners maintain ISO:9001 and ISO:14001 certifications, exceeding basic compliance standards.
Patrizia Vassalli
Patrizia's journey combines hands-on equestrian experience from Swiss and North American horse farms with formal education in fashion design, marketing, PR, and business administration.
While studying business, she discovered Uppeal™ material, which became the foundation of her thesis. After two years of intensive research and prototyping, she launched Equinetree in 2022.
Her vision: merging a lifelong passion for horses with sustainability innovation and ethical manufacturing practices.
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