Sukwa Saddle Blankets

About Us

Sukwa means woven in Swahili. We saw a need in the market for beautifully innovative, quality Saddle Blankets, and also knew we had friends and artisans in Kenya who could create just that. We teamed up with Imani Collective – a women’s economic empowerment program in Kenya – to design and produce hand-woven Saddle Blankets using the highest quality local wool and mohair sourced straight from Northern Kenyan sheep farmers.

Our vision was to create a product that could inspire and empower – catering to the needs of both the rider and their horse, but also able to give back to the Imani Collective community. We are exceptionally proud of the products we’ve created, and honored to partner with this amazing organization.

How Sukwa Makes a Difference

We believe in providing fair wages for our artisans. Every saddle blanket purchase directly contributes to consistent and quality pay for our weavers. Instead of paying per piece; we pay based on our inclusive and ethical approach to compensation. By supporting us, you’re not just buying a product, you’re empowering artisans, their families, and their communities.

Our Mission

Sukwa Saddle Blankets was founded to create quality Saddle Blankets for both our riders and their best friend, while also working to make the world a better place.

Our Vision

To create a product that could inspire and empower – catering to the needs of both the rider and their horse, but also able to give back to the Imani Collective community. We are exceptionally proud of the products we’ve created, and honored to partner with this amazing organization.

How Its Made

We take pride in our products, just as we know you take pride in caring for your horse. Sukwa sources the highest quality raw materials for our Saddle Blankets because comfort and longevity are important to quality tack for your horse. All our fabrics are hand-dyed and woven, perfectly made to care for you and your best friend.

Our Saddle Blankets are made by local artisans in Kenya. We source local, organic wool straight from our favorite northern Kenyan sheep farmers.

Wool is then processed from the sheep and spun into the perfect thickness to create the most durable, comfortable Saddle Blankets – able to withstand many rides.

Once we receive the spun wool, we wash it 3-4 times to remove all grime from processing, spinning and traveling. This returns the wool to its natural, beautiful cream color. After that, we set a fire and heat the wool to put it through the dying process. All our dyes are organic and color-matched, and our Blankets are hand-dyed, to ensure the highest quality end product.

Once the wool is cleaned, dyed and hung out to completely dry, our artisans stand up their loom and begin to intricately weave and set the designs. Many of our artisans from Kenya have almost 30 years of experience. Each Blanket takes 3 days to weave.

After a Blanket is woven, they cut it off the loom, clean it up and bind the ends. The leather woven into the Blanket is embossed and all leather details are then sewn on. Finally, the Blanket is packed with love and sent to doorsteps all over the world, with love from Kenya, so you can enjoy your next adventure with your best friend.