The Aha! Moment
Reena was an Arabian with a fly biting issue so severe it ruled her life - and Yvette's. Every summer meant constant vigilance: rugs, sprays, creams, flyboots, vet visits, and still, Reena suffered. Her legs bled and the flies swarmed her legs.
One afternoon, Yvette watched Reena standing listlessly in the paddock - no longer stomping, no longer swishing at the flies, no longer wanting to graze. She'd simply given up. Seeing her so miserable, Yvette was desperate for a solution - until a thought stopped her.
What if her legs were covered? Properly covered? In something lightweight and breathable that actually stayed on?
Bringing out the old sewing machine, and with fabric from a local store, the first pair of Canterpants was born. Rough, imperfect, and life-changing.
Reena wore them. The biting stopped. The bleeding stopped. For the first time in months, she started to graze again, peacefully. And when the mood took her, she'd canter in her paddock. Just a horse again.
That moment changed everything.
From One Horse to Every Horse
Reena got her happy back. But Yvette couldn't stop thinking about every other horse out there - standing listlessly in paddocks like Reena, or rubbing themselves raw - owners exhausted and desperate from trying everything.
She spent the next twelve months turning that rough first pair into something any horse owner could use. No sewing machine required. No compromises on fit, breathability, or durability.
Canterpants® was born - not in a boardroom, but in a paddock, out of love for one horse and determination to help every horse that came after her.
"Reena was the inspiration.
Each and every happy horse wearing Canterpants is her legacy."
Yvette, Founder of Canterpants®
A Business With a Conscience
Canterpants® was never just about selling a product. From the beginning, it was about doing things right - for horses, for people, and for the planet.
Every pair is proudly designed and made in Australia, supporting local businesses and keeping quality close to home.
Packaging is kept as eco-friendly as possible, because the land that horses graze on matters too.
And because Reena's story isn't unique (fly biting, sweet itch, mud fever, Queensland itch, and dozens of other conditions affect horses every day), every Complete Set of Canterpants® sold includes a $5 donation to Animal Aid Abroad, a registered Australian charity, founded in Perth, Western Australia, dedicated to the welfare of working animals in need.
Yvette volunteers her own time to the organisation as both Secretary and Treasurer, because for her, the commitment to animal welfare doesn't clock off.
That's Rebecca in action at our first Canterpants photoshoot
Beautiful Images, Beautiful Work
Canterpants imagery is beautifully captured by our preferred photographer, Rebecca DeVries.
Not only does she know horses - she knows how to capture the beautiful moments: the light, the stillness, the connection. Her calm presence puts our horses at ease, and it shows in every shot.
You can see more of Rebecca's stunning work at Rebecca DeVries Photography
Meet the Team
Reena
The Inspiration
The 28-year-old Arabian mare who started it all. Reena's suffering sparked the idea - and her happiness proved it worked.
Fozz
Principal Model
Fozz brings patience, professionalism, and the occasional opinion to every photoshoot. A true Canterpants® veteran
Crissy
Cute Pony Model
Crissy's job is to look fabulous in Canterpants® - a role she takes very seriously.
Smudge
Chief Morale Officer
Smudge overss operations from a sunny spot nearby and ensures standards never slip.
Yvette
Founder & Designer
The woman behind the pants. Yvette turned one horse's suffering into a solution for every horse.
Simone
Strategy & Creative Advisor
Simone, based in Victoria, is proof that the best business partners are sometimes also your sister.
Reena Today
Reena turns 28 this year. She still canters when the mood takes her.
Every horse wearing Canterpants® is a small piece of her legacy - a reminder that one determined woman, one suffering horse, and one rough pair of homemade pants can change things.
If your horse is struggling, you don't have to keep trying everything and hoping. There's a better way.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Every review helps another horse owner make the right choice. Read what others are saying on Google, or share your Canterpants® story.