Maybach Brings Heirloom Craftsmanship to the Equestrian World with Its Icons of Luxury Collection
by David Graver
August 2026
Originally published in Douglas Elliman Equestrian Fall 2026.
Why, one may wonder, would one of the world’s most elite automotive organizations—MAYBACH, now an ultra-luxury badge under Mercedes-Benz AG—release an equestrian brush? The answer is twofold. First, there’s an early equestrian connection. Remarkably, the interior fittings of the initial MAYBACH vehicles were crafted by a saddler. When the German luxury car brand was founded in 1909, the profession of automotive upholsterer did not yet exist. Second, there is a parallel between craftsmanship and the materials used in both fields, as well as an overlap in lifestyle interests.
MAYBACH itself does not produce the brushes. Rather, they’re designed by MAYBACH Icons of Luxury, the first licensee ever entrusted with the automaker’s name by Mercedes-Benz AG, and produced by master artisans. Founded by Wolfgang Thelen and Jutta Kahlbetzer, this family-run business is anchored in material expertise. Kahlbetzer herself designs every accessory in the MAYBACH Icons of Luxury range—from eyewear to small leather goods, apparel, and even fine writing implements and fragrances.
MAYBACH Icons of Luxury officially introduced its equestrian line, MAYBACH Saddlery, in 2017. “The relationship between horse and rider is built on trust, harmony, and mutual respect—values that resonate deeply with MAYBACH Icons of Luxury,” says Kahlbetzer, who is also the label’s CEO. “Our equestrian collection combines exceptional craftsmanship, refined design and technical excellence to create enduring products that enhance the comfort, safety, and experience of both horse and rider.”
The collection is comprehensive. Skilled artisans employ premium leathers and time-honored, hand-stitching techniques to create halters, stirrup leathers and made-to-measure saddles that balance refinement with enduring durability. Each piece is engineered with the technical precision necessary to enhance the safety, comfort and performance of both horse and rider. Of course, the collection extends to grooming accessories as well, transforming everyday equestrian rituals into moments of connection.
The range includes five brush variants, each falling into one of two styles. The Caress body brush series is developed for horse care. The Caress I–which is made of pure coconut fiber—has been specifically developed for the care of grey horses and their particular coat characteristics. The Caress II, featuring a blend of horsehair and coconut fiber, meets more intensive grooming needs. The Caress III and IV, both made with the finest goat hair, remove dust and encourage sheen.
The second style, The Wonder, is designed for use upon car seats, clothes, rugs and carpets, as well as directly on animal fur. Patented, the brush incorporates pre-shaped slanted bristles useful for grooming horses or simply cleaning away hair elsewhere. All five brush types are produced in Germany and highlight walnut burr grain. All four Caress models include a cushioned hand strap with the MAYBACH logo.
There is a carefully imagined magnificence to the MAYBACH equestrian products—with the brushes serving as pinnacle pieces, much the same as the vehicles themselves. And while they’re a complementary accessory for any MAYBACH owned by an individual enmeshed in the equestrian world, they’re also a doorway into the vehicle’s luxurious lifestyle for horse owners without MAYBACHs, too.
Ultimately, luxury has long been defined as much by the objects that accompany a way of life as by singular marquee purchases. In the equestrian world, the tools used to care for a horse often become heirlooms in their own right, prized for their craftsmanship, longevity and beauty. MAYBACH Icons of Luxury embraces that philosophy, treating grooming equipment not as necessities but as objects that celebrate the traditions of horsemanship.
Related STORIES
