BRAND FEATURE: HORSE D'OEUVRES

In the spirit of community over competition, I'm excited to continue the Brand Feature Series. Each month, I feature another woman owned equestrian small business that I love. This month we chatted with Lisa Munro about her horse treat business that comes from a place of love! She had some valuable advice and words of wisdom to share!

Introducing Horse D'oeuvres, where we believe that every equine companion deserves a touch of love and care in the form of delightful treats. 

Imagine a pocket-sized indulgence that doesn't crumble, making it easy for you to reward your horse during training sessions, trail rides, or simply as a heartfelt gesture. The secret behind our treats lies in the thoughtful blend of premium ingredients. We use wholesome whole wheat flour and oatmeal to ensure a nutritious base that satisfies your horse's palate. But it doesn't stop there – our treats are enriched with the natural sweetness of apples and molasses, offering a flavor profile that's sure to be a favorite.

Choose Horse D'oeuvres – where love, quality, and the well-being of your horse are at the heart of everything we create.

Tell me a bit about why you started the business.

Horse D’oeuvres, based in Colorado, is a dynamic mother-daughter team. When Lisa was 13 years old, she crossed paths with Cat, a 3-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, who instantly captured her heart. Over the course of 18 years, their bond has deepened in ways that words can't capture, as Cat became an integral part of every chapter in Lisa's life. Throughout these years, one constant remained: Cat's unwavering devotion to our homemade treats. Thanks to Carolina's remarkable baking skills, Lisa's mother, they devised the ideal recipe – a formula that Cat wholeheartedly endorsed.

Lisa and Carolina nurtured a shared dream of merging their passion for Cat and their love for baking. In 2016, that dream materialized into Horse D'oeuvres.

What is your favorite thing about owning the business?

Our favorite aspect of owning this business is the incredible opportunity it provides to share the very essence of why we embarked on this journey in the first place – our profound love and unbreakable bond with Cat. Every day, as we pour our energy into Horse D'oeuvres, we're able to translate that deep connection and unwavering passion into something tangible.

Seeing our hand-baked heart-shaped horse treats bring joy to other equestrians and their horses is truly rewarding. It's as if we're extending a part of ourselves, a piece of the unique and magical relationship we've cultivated with Cat, to fellow horse enthusiasts. The way our treats become a symbol of companionship, trust, and affection between horses and their humans is both heartwarming and fulfilling.

What has been the biggest challenge of owning the business?

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant challenges we've encountered in owning this business has been navigating the intricate realm of labs and nutrition requirements to ensure that our treats are not only delicious but also meet the highest standards of quality and safety. This journey has often taken us into the realm of science – a field that doesn't come naturally!

What is some advice you would give to entrepreneurs?

If there's one piece of advice we’d wholeheartedly share with fellow entrepreneurs, it's this: always follow your dream, regardless of its scale! Dreams, after all, don't come with a predetermined size label – they're unique to each individual's passion, vision, and aspirations.

Also, don’t be afraid to seek out the advice and wisdom of other small business owners! It’s so important to have people in the industry to lean on.

Tell us about some fun things customers can expect to see in 2023.

We’ve got some delicious Peppermint holiday treats coming your way in November for the holiday season! Keep your eyes on our social media for the launch! Your horse will love ‘em and they’ll be the perfect gift for all your fellow equestrians and barn mates.

Use code DAPPLE10 to get 10% off your next Horse D'oeuvres purchase until the end of September 2023! Also, don’t forget to enter the Dapplebay/Horse D’oeuvres Giveaway over on Dapplebay social media to win some great prizes!