It’s hard to believe that yet again our holidays are upon us. Show seasons are ending, hibernation is beginning, we turn our clocks back tomorrow. There are a mere 7 Saturdays left before Christmas (if you celebrate it).
Shopping for horse people is not an easy undertaking. You are met with a lot of different disciplines, needs, styles, shapes, sizes. How do you decide what to get a horse person?
Here are a few of my favorites that would be on my holiday list…
Gift Cards
If you’re not opposed to gift cards they are a fabulous way to make sure your horse lover gets what they really want for the holidays. Some options include:
- Spa: Horse people care for their horses more than they do themselves. Remind them that self-care is horse care with a card for a massage or facial. Recharging ourselves is a great way to make sure our horses remain happy under us.
- Local Feed Store: You might not know what type of feed your horse lover gives but a card to the local Agway or Farm Store will help them pay for feed or at least some new supplies.
- Food/Coffee: A lot of horse people live on the go. Gift cards for coffee shops can come in handy.
Physical Items
Of course, not everyone enjoys gift cards. They’re impersonal, easy to lose, and a lot of times it’s just nicer to have an actual gift to offer. Have no fear, here are a few things:
Equestrian Journal
Equestrian Journal Available on Amazon
Yes, I am shamelessly self-promoting…but I created this journal for myself and use it regularly. It has helped me keep my goals in front of me and keep all of Stanley’s health information in one place. The journal allows you to track your rides, events, shows, and more (dental,chiro,vet,vaccine,deworming,farrier, tack). If I didn’t use this so much I would not have added it to this list but this journal is great for ANY horse owner that likes keeping track of their equine friend.
***If you want to buy 5 or more reach out before you buy because I can work with you on a bulk price.
Stall Rest
Stall Rest Available on Amazon
Another self-promotion and I repeat I made this by horseperson for horsepeople. I love word puzzles and after finishing a horsey word search BOOK in less than 3 hours while recovering from surgery I decided the horse world needs more of a challenge. This is a challenging word search puzzle book. You will not be finished in 3 hours (but let me know if you do).
***If you want to buy 5 or more reach out before you buy because I can work with you on a bulk price.
Horse Books
Horsepeople rarely have time to read but when they do they probably read horse books. The good news is Trafalgar Square publishes books of all types FOR all types. They have riding books, fitness, horse care, biographies, fiction, and more. You can always get them a gift card and let them choose what they want!
Here are some of my favorites, maybe they will help guide you!
- The Sunday Review: Brain Training For Riders by Andrea Monsarrat Waldo:
- This book has helped me immensely overcome fear and anxiety. It’s great for anyone…and the lessons learned go beyond the saddle.
- The Sunday Review: Ride Big: The Ultimate Guide to Building Equestrian Confidence By John Haime
- This is another great book for rider confidence. It’s excellent for creating a confident rider at shows and would serve as an excellent follow-up after reading Brain Training for Riders.
- The Sunday Review: Dear Readers and Riders
- A biography of Marguerite Henry, author of many childrens books that have been loved my millions across several generations. Misty of Chincoteague, King of the Wind, and more. This is a fascinating book looking the life of this brave, bold, imaginative woman.
- The Sunday Review: Never Trust a Sneaky Pony
- Written by a vet who should moonlight as a standup comic. It is so well written I could hear his voice (one I made up in my head). I found myself on several occasions laughing out loud and reading passages to my boyfriend. Great for anybody for the entertainment value. It was also interesting to learn about the vet practices.
- In The Middle are the Horseman by Tik Maynard
- Tik ranks among my top horseman of all time. I try to attend his clinics whenever I can. He’s versatile, kind, and fair with his horses. The book describes his journey into horsemanship. Growing up with horses doesn’t automatically make a great horseman. He spent time as a working student with Dressage riders, show jumpers, eventers, and ranchers. What he’s gotten out of each experience has created who he is today. He events but he recently won the Road to the Horse against a slew of cowboys.
- The Sunday Review: Horse Crazy After All These Years By Jim Wofford
- Jim is among the eventing legends. His stories about his youth and growing up with horses is incredible…and his humor is the cherry on top. Being new to eventing it’s so interesting to read about how it was vs how it is now. And it shows how dedicated eventers are.
- The Sunday Review: Horse Brain Human Brain by Janet Jones, PhD
- For your horsemanship people and studious ones. This ought to be a textbook for every horseperson out there. A prerequisite for working with horses. I could read this multiple times and digest more of it every time. Dr Jones dives into the senses and how horses perceive the world. You might be surprised by HOW DIFFERENT they are from humans. Their perceptions, world view, and way they learn should act as a guide for how humans work with them. We wouldn’t train horses in certain ways if everyone knew everything within this book.
- The Sunday Review: When Two Spines Align by Beth Baumert
- Beth is masterful at creating good imagery and breaking concepts down into easy-to-understand pieces. Learning about the “powerlines” of connection and how to help a horse move properly for its biomechanics is incredibly helpful.
Hand Cream, Soaps,Lip Balm
Horse people work in all weather and our hands get beat up. Hand cream is always appropriate. Virtue Soap Company offers excellent quality products with all-natural products. Everything is handmade in small batches. Products are available for humans, dogs, and horses. I especially love the Key Lime lip Balm and the brush blaster.
Riding Gloves
If you’ve been a follower long enough you’ll know that I LOVE Back on Track products….most of them. The fabric is infused with ceramic particles that reflect heat back into your body in the form of infrared waves. Sounds scary but it works wonders. These products increase circulation in the body which ultimately help the body heal and recover. I have several Back on Track products for myself and my horses. Shocklingly I don’t have these gloves. I bought the cheaper gloves that act more like glove liners. They work incredibly well but not for farm chores and riding. I wish I bought these riding gloves! They’ll make your riding equestrian very happy and keep them warm but dextrous in the winter months.
Heated Vest
If you live in the north and get colder temperatures during the winter months look into getting your equestrian loved one a heated vest. You’ll have to know their size (or get a gift card) but these have been highly rated and used throughout the equestrian community.
TackSaver Mitt
Sounds ridiculous but these TackSaver Mitts are a game changer. These work great for a variety of applications, so get a few of them. They are affordable and useful…could be great stocking stuffers? Normally horse people use old racks or the circular tack sponge to clean leather tack. With the TackSavers you can put your hand right in the mitt and keep on cleaning. Cleaning tack is always hand on my hands because I have severe carpal tunnel; the TackSaver Mitt doesn’t eradicate my pain but it sure does help. Gripping a sponge always makes my arm go numb immediately, but I can get a lot more done wearing my mitt. You can also use these for applying fly spray, dusting, wiping down a car dashboard, and cleaning windows/glass. What makes it even better is these were designed by a young equestrian when she was only 9 years old because she didn’t like her hands “getting icky.”
Horse Treats
Horse treats, they are GREAT gift ideas! Horse people love giving treats. One thing to note, however, is that not all horses can eat certain treats. Horses with metabolic problems won’t be able to eat high-sugar treats. I typically look for low sugar/starch horse treats with no added color. I also prefer smaller treats, they are great for rewards and getting horses to do their tricks or stretches without making a meal of them. Here are some of our favorite brands:
Tribute Wholesome Blends Horse Treats
Zero Proof Horse Treats (not low sugar but small and limited ingredient)
Experiences
This is something you’ll need more knowledge of for your specific equestrian loved one. What are their interests? Goals? Dreams? Do they want to travel and ride abroad? Ride on the beach? Ride in the mountains? Go to a dude ranch? Go to a fancy horse show? RIDE in a fancy horse show? Ride with a specific clinician?
Experiences don’t accumulate clutter…but you have to choose wisely which experiences to work on. Do your research.
Traveling to a different state? Maybe you can arrange to visit a farm of their favorite equestrian and maybe even arrange for a lesson with them?
Maybe there’s a specific event they’ve expressed interest in but lacked the bravery or money to try it. Maybe your hunter friend wants to try barrel racing. Get them a lesson!
There are so many ways you can make a great experience happen. Maybe you can ask your equestrian loved one’s other equestrian friends for help.
Shop Local
I’ll leave you on something that resonates with me. Shop small. Shop local. If you can. What’s around you? Local honey, soaps, jams, olive oil, and other locally sourced items are always excellent choices because you’re supporting the community around you. Use cash when you can. There are some local horsey type people…maybe someone who can make horsehair jewelry or one who will repurpose old saddles into nice purses. Maybe there’s a local artist or photographer that you can either order prints from or commission. Custom apparel or a tumbler?
This list is definitely non-exhaustive…but they make for excellent safe options. Your budget and knowledge of what your horsey loved one wants is going to vary a lot. Tack, horse blankets, and rider gear are nice but without knowing style, color, size…..and WHAT is needed you’ll find yourself hopelessly lost amidst a sea of gear.
If you’re a horse lover…what are some things you’d love to see as a gift this year? Did I miss anything? Help our loved ones out!
The Green Horseman 
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