Wheelchair users will be able to ride horses with increased comfort and a sense of belonging thanks to pioneering designs by a fashion student who was inspired by the experience of a family friend.
Daisy Brace, 21, wanted to make equestrian wear more inclusive after her mother’s friend felt disconnected from her love of horse riding after an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Although horse riding for her mother’s friend remained possible, Daisy wanted to help her regain a sense of belonging to the horse riding community, so she created an equestrian wear outfit which is designed to accommodate a wheelchair user’s needs.
“Her love of horses never went away,” said Daisy, from Moorhouse, Nottinghamshire, who is a lifelong horse rider herself and an undergraduate student at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).
“Even after her injury, she wanted to continue riding and I realised there was very little on the market that was both functional and fashionable for people in her situation – especially when it came to equestrian clothing. I wanted to change that.”
Daisy dedicated her final year fashion design project to the cause and undertook research into adaptive clothing and incorporated the lived experiences of her mother’s friend.
Her designs include:
- A lightweight Harris Tweed double-breasted jacket which has back and forearm panels that are quilted with upcycled saddle cloth wool to provide comfort and support in a seated position. The design incorporates an arched back to reduce bulk when sitting in a wheelchair, and has magnetic fastenings and a ribbon tie on the inside for ease of use
- A breathable pure cotton shirt has a specially lowered neckline, which reduces fabric bulking up when seated. It features open arm seams to assist wearers with limited mobility, and an adjustable gathered waist to accommodate body changes over time
- A multifunctional bag designed to attach to various parts of a wheelchair, provides practical storage solutions for essentials like keys, gloves, and phones without adding bulk to pockets
Picture credit: Iwan Cromack
Daisy, who is studying in the Nottingham School of Art & Design, said: “My mum’s friend has been incredibly encouraging and gave me honest advice that I couldn’t have found online.
“From understanding how uncomfortable wheelchairs can be over long periods, to why accessible fashion often lacks personality – these are the things that guided my work.”
While saddles and other riding equipment for para-athletes are often adapted, Daisy saw a gap in the market for contemporary heritage riding wear that supports both physical needs and emotional wellbeing.
“There’s a limit to what’s out there – everything feels purely functional,” she said. “After an injury, you’re not only adapting physically but also redefining your identity. I wanted to bring personality and positivity back into clothing for disabled riders.
“Clothes should help people feel part of a community. For horse riders, it’s more than a hobby – it’s a way of life. Your disability shouldn’t define you, and your clothes shouldn’t limit you.”
Daisy’s designs are on public display for the 2025 Graduate Festival. The show – which takes place at the University’s City Campus – is one of the largest displays of graduating art and design talent in the country.
Krystyna Kolowska, senior lecturer in Fashion Design at NTU, said: “Daisy has spotted a gap in the market for wheelchair users who have a love of horse riding but are let down by a lack of inclusive designs that are made available to them.
“Her designs are very thoughtful and take into consideration the functional and emotional needs of people who, like anyone else, require clothing which allows them to pursue their interests whilst allowing them to feel good.”