If you run a tack shop, saddlery, or equestrian supplies store, you've probably wondered whether it's worth giving shelf space to books. After all, can't people just buy them on Amazon?
It's a fair question, but it misses what actually drives book sales in a retail environment. The truth is, Amazon and your shop floor are serving completely different buying moments, and understanding that difference is the key to unlocking a quiet, consistent revenue stream with almost zero hassle.
Your Customers Aren't Thinking About Books. Until They See One
Nobody walks into a tack shop looking for a book. They're there for feed, a new headcollar, a pair of jodhpurs. But the moment they spot a well-placed title, something on groundwork, horse care, or a rider's memoir, curiosity kicks in. They pick it up, have a flick through, and it goes on the counter with everything else.
That's impulse purchasing, and it's something Amazon simply cannot replicate. Online book buying is deliberate. Someone has to already know what they want, search for it, and choose it from a page of competing listings, second-hand copies, and algorithm-driven alternatives. There's nothing impulsive about it.
In your shop, there are no distractions. No "customers also bought" pulling them elsewhere. No used copy undercutting you by a few quid. Just a customer in a horsey frame of mind, wallet already open, and a book that catches their eye.
Books Complement What You Already Sell
This is where it gets interesting. Books aren't just standalone products. They're natural companions to the stock you already carry.
A customer buying a lunge line? A lunging guide sitting nearby makes perfect sense. Someone asking about bitless riding? A Monty Roberts title is a natural recommendation. New horse owner stocking up on basics? A good care manual practically sells itself.
You don't need to be a bookseller to make this work. You just need to place the right titles near the right products and let the context do the selling. It's consultative selling without even trying.
The Margin Story Is Better Than You Think
Books are one of the simplest products you can stock. No sizing. No fitting. No seasonal clearance. No returns because the colour looked different on the website. They sit on a shelf, they don't go off, and they carry a healthy margin.
Compared to the time and effort involved in stocking, displaying, and managing returns on apparel or hard goods, books are about as low-maintenance as it gets. A small, well-chosen selection can quietly tick over and add to your bottom line month after month.
Trust Sells Books
Here's something Amazon can never compete with: your recommendation. When a customer asks you for advice on schooling their young horse, and you point them to a book you've actually read and rate, that carries weight. It's personal. It's credible. It's the kind of interaction that builds loyalty and keeps people coming back.
An Amazon review from a stranger doesn't come close.
Titles That Sell Themselves
Here are a few of our current new releases that do well in tack shops and saddleries. Each one appeals to a different type of customer, which is exactly the kind of range that works on a small display.
BHS Complete Equestrian: Volume 1 by The British Horse Society. BHS titles are always strong sellers. Any shop near a riding school or exam centre will shift these steadily.
The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship: Book 1 - Fundamentals by Dr Joanna Winfield & The Pony Club. Parents buy this for their kids without hesitation. A guaranteed seller near the junior section.
100+ School Exercises for Dressage by Debby Lush. Practical, spiral-bound, and the kind of book riders flick through and buy on the spot.
The Training Spiral by Sue Grice. A newer title that catches the eye. Good for shops with customers who are into classical training and schooling.
The Horse Lover's Miscellany by J. C. Jeremy Hobson. Gift titles like this sell well near the till, especially around Christmas and birthdays.
You can browse the full range in our trade catalogue.
Getting Started Is Easy
You don't need to dedicate an entire wall to books. A small spinner rack near the till, a few titles displayed face-out near complementary products, or even a shelf behind the counter is enough to get started. The key is visibility and relevance. Put the right books where your customers will naturally notice them.
We supply tack shops, saddleries, and riding schools across the UK with a carefully selected range of equestrian titles, from training and horse care to children's pony books and gift titles. If you'd like to see what's available, browse our trade catalogue or get in touch. We're always happy to suggest a starter selection based on your customer base.
Open a Trade Account
Setting up a trade account takes a couple of minutes. Register here and once we've verified your details you'll have access to trade pricing across our full catalogue. There's no minimum order and no ongoing commitment. Order what you need, when you need it.