Innovation in the Saddle: 2025 Breakthroughs at Spoga Horse International

Each year, the equestrian community converges in Cologne, Germany, for Spoga Horse — one of the world’s most influential B2B trade fairs for horse sport. In 2025, the event set new benchmarks: over 440 exhibitors from 33 countries, and more than 8,500 visitors from 77 nations. (Spoga Horse)

At its heart lies the Spoga Horse TOP INNOVATIONS competition — a contest designed to spotlight truly groundbreaking products across equine equipment, apparel, health, and stable tech. This year, out of 31 nominees, five winners were awarded the coveted “Top Innovation” distinction, and all nominees were featured on the trade show’s “Boulevard of Innovations.” (Spoga Horse)

Below, we dive into the most talked-about innovations from Spoga 2025, and explore what they hint at for the future of tack and equestrian gear.

🏆 Notable Inventions That Took Center Stage

These are the standout inventions honored at Spoga Horse 2025 — products that blend design, performance, safety, and data in new ways.

1. Acavallo AREL-X 180 Stirrups

These stirrups bring a sophisticated release system to the equestrian world. With branches that can swing open and rotate up to 180°, they allow the rider’s foot to disengage in any direction in the event of a fall. The design minimizes risk without compromising grip or balance. (Horse Sport)

Features include a shot-peened aluminum body, stainless steel internal parts, a slight 5° tread incline, and lightweight construction — all intended for durability and performance. (Horse Sport)

2. Horse Pilot E-Twist’Air Airbag Vest

This is a major leap in rider safety technology. The E-Twist’Air is a cable-free, standalone airbag vest that can inflate in just 30 milliseconds, covering various types of falls — even when the rider remains partially connected to the horse. (Horse Sport)

Its internal sensors capture acceleration and rotation data, with up to 1,000 measurements per second to assess position and trigger inflation when needed. (Horse Sport)

3. TotalCool Boots by Equisk

Thermal regulation is a common challenge in equine leg gear. The TotalCool boots address this with a “CoolTech” lining designed to resist heat transfer. In trials, temperature rise in the horse’s leg stayed under 1 °C during exercise — a considerable improvement over many traditional brushing or tendon boots. (Horse Sport)

These boots are fully breathable and contoured to the leg, offering both protection and cooling. (Horse Sport)

4. consteed — Smart Horse Sneaker

Blurring the line between hoof boot and wearable tech, the Consteed “Smart Horse Sneaker” embeds sensors to monitor a horse’s gait, balance, and impact forces. It works for both barefoot and shod horses. (Horse Sport)

Data from the sensors can be viewed via a mobile app, giving trainers, vets, and riders real-time insight into the horse’s biomechanics — useful for performance optimization or early detection of issues. (Horse Sport)

Special Prize: REMIRA Omnichannel Commerce Software

Beyond physical tack, the 2025 special prize went to REMIRA GmbH for their omnichannel commerce solution. The software aims to modernize the equestrian retail experience: integrating RFID, touchscreens, real-time inventory, and more for smoother customer interaction. (Horse Sport)

🔮 Looking Ahead: What This Means for Riders & Brands

If you’re a rider, trainer, or equestrian brand, here are a few ways these innovations and the Spoga momentum could affect you:

1. Expect smarter upgrades — In the next 2–5 years, we’ll see more equestrian gear with embedded sensors or rapid safety features as standard.
2. Data becomes part of the conversation — Trainers, vets, and riders will increasingly rely on performance metrics when choosing gear or adjusting programs.
3. Retail evolves — Buying horse gear will shift from catalogs to integrated, software-driven experiences. Expect better returns, smarter inventory, and more customization.
4. Protecting IP becomes critical — Public innovation displays come with risks. As one industry observer noted, trade fairs can accelerate copying of ideas unless brands safeguard their designs. (EQUERRY / CO)
5. Sustainability & welfare carry weight — Jury criteria at Spoga reward innovations that help the horse, reduce environmental impact, or extend product life.

Spoga Horse 2025 didn’t just reveal new products — it underscored a shift: that the future of tack will be smart, safe, and user-centered. The line between equipment and technology is blurring, and riders are the better for it.