It’s getting to be that time of year again! If you need a special gift for your favorite horse person, or if your family keeps asking if you want something besides all the books on your Christmas list, here are some ideas! Below are my all-time favorite horse-y Christmas gifts.
- Equine Keepsakes jewelry
Equine Keepsakes is a small, online business, and it’s my favorite for horse jewelry! There are tons of jewelry options and customizations you can do, and you can use the stock hair they provide or send in some from your favorite horse 🙂
- Riding gloves
I absolutely love the riding gloves I have! They’re designed to be as thin as possible so they don’t get in the way of reins, putting on halters, brushing, or whatever horse thing you’re doing. But they’re also just as warm as regular thick gloves! Plus, many are waterproof, which is even better. No more soggy woolen gloves freezing stiff on your hands after you break the ice in the horse tank for the millionth time.
- Barn-style coat
Mine is from no other than Abby! 😉 It’s fleece lined, so warm and soft, and it has a really cute pattern, so I wear it everywhere! The button-up design also means you can leave it open when it’s chilly, or button it up when it gets colder. It’s been my favorite coat since I got it!
- Books and magazine subscriptions
I have way too many horse books, but I love reading them! My personal favorites are Cherry Hill’s books, especially her book How To Think Like a Horse. All the facts in it are applicable for training of all kinds, because the idea is to understand the horse so you can train it best. Magazines are also a great gift, and my personal favorite is Horse Illustrated. It’s a perfect mix of science and more casual articles, and it’s all super interesting and helpful!
- Muck boots
This one’s a little random, but it’s really nice having a heavy-duty pair of boots whether winter means cold or mud for you. Last year, I got a pair that fit perfectly and was just right for what I needed. This is a good one to do your research on, though, because uncomfortable heavy boots are really uncomfortable.
- Poles
Whether you ride Western or not, the poles used in pole bending are an absolute necessity in my opinion! Besides their obvious purpose, they can be used as ground poles (make sure they’re the detachable stand type), obstacles for halter training… and two or three standing together are about as wide as a barrel. Honestly, I think I’ve used mine for non-pole bending uses more often than I’ve used them for that! Even if you don’t compete in pole bending regularly, practicing can help your horse with flexibility and switch things up a little!
- Customized or fun halter
This is a super fun one that there are lots of great options for! You can do a nameplate, or find a really cute design. There are also ways to handmake a halter, which is really cool!
- Breyer models
I love Breyers so much! I’m a little addicted to collecting horse models in general, but Breyers are my favorites. Plus, they come in all sizes and styles, and they have a Horse of the Year as well as a Holiday Horse. If you haven’t already started obsessively collecting these, you should totally start. Your wallet might not thank me, but you will. Trust me.
- Stickers
Okay, this is a silly one, but I’m one of those people who covers everything she owns in stickers. And of course horse stickers are the best ones! I mean, I should know. I have ten on my computer alone. Everyone needs a sticker hoard refill now and then 😉
- Horse experiences
This is a more general one, but tickets to an event are a great gift too! Going somewhere horse-y together is a fun and personal idea!
Annabelle Daugherty is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction stories with themes of hope and joy. She loves spending time with her horse, reading, and crafting.