As an avid equestrian and horse owner for over 20 years, I‘ve struggled for ages to conveniently access quality gear. Between trips to the local tack shop or countless hours scouring tack catalogs, assembling everything my horses needed often felt like a part-time job!
So when Corro burst onto the scene in 2019 promising a "one-stop shop" for all my equine needs, they immediately captured my attention. Could this digital marketplace revolutionize how riders like me shop for those four-legged partners we care for and rely on?
After several years of hands-on experience as an actual Corro customer, I think they pass the test – offering substantial improvements for convenience along with compelling value. But deciding if Corro is right for you depends on your specific needs and priorities as an owner.
In this in-depth review, I‘ll share my perspectives as a long-time equestrian while exploring key background details on this ambitious horse care marketplace. Let‘s saddle up!
Overview: Corro Aims to Consolidate the Fragmented Equine Retail Market
While Americans spend over $62 billion annually pampering smaller pets like cats and dogs, the market specifically serving horses and their passionate owners remains remarkably fragmented.
Prior to Corro, shopping for riding gear often meant schlepping to a hodgepodge of local tack shops then tirelessly piecing together items from various print catalogs or websites. For riders lacking specialized retailers nearby, accessing products was even more frustrating.
Recognizing major gaps and inefficiencies in the system, entrepreneur Sophie Stenbeck launched Corro in 2019. Through an expertly curated digital platform, the company consolidates thousands of horse supplies and products from boutique brands across America and beyond – making them conveniently shoppable for all riders.
Beyond selection, Corro provides transparency around quality thanks to an advisory council of veteran equestrians who continuously tests products for durability, safety, and performance. This provides a welcome layer of guidance for owners navigating the flood of subpar equipment flooding the market.
While hardly the first horse care retailer out there, Corro‘s consolidated assortment and focus on curation gives them a competitive edge that caught my eye from the word go.
Demystifying Corro‘s Product Selection Process
Selecting over 6,000 specialized horse items to sell from thousands of brands and makers out there is no small feat. So how does the Corro team assess what makes the cut?
"We‘re maniacal about curation," says founder Stenbeck. "Every item we sell has survived a gauntlet of testing and evaluation based on core considerations like safety, function, comfort and durability. If a product fails to make the grade through any phase, it‘s not going on our shelves."
Here‘s an inside look at that rigorous process:
Phase 1: The sourcing team compiles products from established national players and niche makers – avoiding overseas junk. Local products with transparent supply chains receive priority.
Phase 2: Submissions undergo extensive in-house examination against 20+ criteria centered on design, construction quality, materials, and brand reputation. Roughly 70% don‘t pass this initial inspection.
Phase 3: The advisory council conducts hands-on field testing focused on safety, durability, and performance under real barn conditions. About half the products stumble here.
By phase four, only the truly outstanding products remain – earning the council‘s hard-won stamp of approval. This scalar approach keeps criteria consistent while allowing intelligent pruning.
As an owner, I appreciate Corro sweat the details so I don‘t have to. It‘s a welcome shift from the "buyer beware" ethos that often permeates this market.
Growing Market Tailwinds Signal Clear Skies Ahead
The broader recreational horse industry shows promising trends that should give Corro plenty of open trail to continue galloping ahead as a business:
Increasing Participation
- 7 million Americans are considered active horse enthusiasts as of 2017 per American Horse Council statistics, up from 4.3 million in 2005. Millennials ages 25-44 show particular interest in entering the sport.
Swelling Ranks of New Owners
- First-time horse buyers have doubled from ~150,000 in 2017 to nearly 350,000 by 2021 according to Active Interest Media research. That influx requires proper gear.
Post-Pandemic Spending Rebound
- Discretionary purchases slowed during 2020-2021 as the recession loomed, but 2022 surveys show 61% of owners feel good about boosting horse care budgets.
Digital Acceleration
- The pandemic pushed retail commerce online rapidly across categories. Horse products prove no exception – presenting digital native startups like Corro a clear edge versus tack shops just waking up to ecommerce.
Of course market tailwinds never guarantee smooth sailing, but the numbers look favorable for Corro as consumer participation and spending appetite keeps growing.
Pricing Benchmarks: How Does Corro Compare on Cost?
Given Corro positions itself as an accessible source for mass consumers rather than uber-wealthy barn owners, their pricing requires a closer look.
Analyzing a basket of staple purchases across Corro and two specialty competitors – Horse.com and SmartPak – some interesting trends emerge:
| Product | Corro Price | Horse.com Price | SmartPak Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington Plaid Saddle Pad | $89 | $99 | $80 |
| Hamilton Halter – Cob Size | $28 | $35 | $33 |
| Absorbine Veterinary Linament – 12 oz | $15 | $18 | $17 |
| EZ-Sport Boot – pair | $60 | $65 | $55 |
| Basket Total | $192 | $217 | $185 |
While not the absolute cheapest, Corro delivers competitive value – matching or beating the majority of price points from specialty merchants. Factor in their free shipping at $75 and lack of sales tax, and bottom line savings add up quickly.
Where they slightly lose on margin, Corro makes up by aggregating different products into a consolidated, one-click experience. No more wasting hours ping-ponging between sites to assemble items piecemeal.
For me, the ultimate question is: does the total Corro package provide compelling overall value offsetting any isolated price differences on certain items? My take is absolutely.
Key Pros: Why Corro Works for Equestrians
As both an equine insider and actual paying customer of Corro for multiple years now, I‘ve compiled the core benefits that keep me coming back:
Enormous Time Savings
No longer wasting half my weekends driving to various local shops to source items or puzzling together online orders from different merchants. Corro brings essentials and niche treats into a unified digital space. Just a few clicks and my cart contains everything the barn needs for months ahead.
High Quality Gear I Can Trust
Between counterfeit products flooding the market and brands making false advertising claims, having an independent panel certifying safety and durability brings invaluable peace of mind. I know Corro gear withstands the rigors of daily use.
Surprise Discoveries
Beyond consolidating the familiar staples I need, Corro excels at exposing me to innovative new grooming tools, medical treatments and training aids I‘d never stumble upon otherwise. The curation unearths hidden gems.
Pleases Picky Palates
From veteran school horses to finicky youngsters, even my toughest sells approve of Corro‘s selection of premium treats and supplies. The stuff simply passes the true litmus test – equine approval!
Key Cons: Scope for Improvement
Of course no company is flawless. A few areas where Corro has room to improve include:
Nascent Loyalty Program
Their Corro Cash reward system offers a paltry 3% back on purchases with virtually no elite perks. Exploring a real loyalty program could incentivize their most devoted users.
MQ Issues on New Arrivals
Hot items often sell out fast before enough inventory gets stocked, creating backorder scenarios. Smoothing supply/demand forecasting for new products would help availability.
Sustainability Initiatives
Very little info gets provided currently on environmental impact, ethical sourcing policies, etc. Prioritizing corporate sustainability should rank high on the priority list.
Still Building Brand Awareness
Despite impressive growth, Corro‘s brand still lacks awareness nationally compared to veterans like SmartPak. Continued messaging and partnerships with major equine events could close this gap.
While annoyances linger in spots, none significantly detract from Corro‘s overall value. Their appetite to improve also sets them apart from complacent players resting on past wins.
Reviews: What Actual Customers Are Saying
Analyzing candid feedback from fellow riders provides the purest measure of any brand‘s strengths and weaknesses.
In my assessment combing through hundreds of Corro‘s reviews across forums, the tone skews resoundingly positive. I‘ll spotlight a few snippets that resonate as an owner:
"I wish I had discovered Corro YEARS ago…it would have saved me so much time and headache. Love the selection and prices!" – Stephanie S.
"This is my one stop shop for quality horse items. I know I am getting carefully vetted products at fair prices with excellent service." – Taylor R.
"Super fast shipping – I had a show coming up and needed a new saddle pad STAT. Corro got it to me in just 3 days with rush processing." – Hannah G.
The main complaints echo my own around inventory shortages on hot new products. But most agree the breadth of selection and transparency around quality outweigh the hiccups.
My assessment aligns with the overwhelmingly 5 star ratings awarded across various rating platforms. As an core customer myself, I proudly join the chorus.
Final Verdict: Does Corro Deliver on Its Promises?
At the end of the day, Corro sets out to simplify the fragmented, frustrating process of accessing quality horse care equipment for riders everywhere. Years into this experiment as an engaged customer, I tip my hat to their success so far.
They‘ve absolutely delivered when it comes to:
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Consolidating the long tail of niche suppliers into an easy one-stop marketplace. No more wasted miles and hours gathering supplies piecemeal.
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Curation based on performance rather than brand hype or pretty packaging. I trust gear endorsed by their advisory panel ready for the daily grind.
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Competitive value offsetting any minor price gaps with particular products through broad selection and free delivery perks.
While the odd customer headache persists around inventory and shipping delays, they largely fade into background noise given the tremendous convenience and selection Corro unlocks.
I struggle imagining my equestrian life today without this trusty online merchant saving me time while connecting exceptional products with passionate riders nationwide. They‘ve won my business for the long haul – and I predict countless other converts joining the herd for years ahead.
So for fellow equestrians seeking quality care and riding gear without the hassle, this horse owner enthusiastically recommends Corro above the field. Just promise you won‘t buy out all the good stuff before I restock!
