Horse people are hard to buy for. They already own three bridles, five brushes and a cupboard full of rugs. They are also picky: anything that doesn't suit their horse, their discipline or their colours ends up unused in the tack room.
The good news is that a few questions up front almost always point you in the right direction. Below are 21 gift ideas for horse lovers, grouped by type and budget. Whether you are shopping for a horse-mad ten-year-old, a dedicated dressage rider or a parent who has ridden for forty years.
Three questions before you shop
Before you buy anything, it pays to find out the following (ask someone at the yard if you need to be discreet):
- Do they own a horse, share or loan one, or ride at a riding school? Anything made for a specific horse (sizes, colours, a name) only works for their own horse or a regular share.
- Which discipline? Dressage, show jumping, western, hacking and driving all need different kit.
- What size? Rugs, headcollars and fly masks need the horse's size (for example pony, cob or full). If in doubt, choose something without a size.
Personal gifts: what horse people love most
Anyone who loves horses mostly loves one horse in particular. A gift about that horse means more than any accessory.
1. A portrait of their own horse. A painted or drawn portrait stays on the wall for years and only becomes more precious as the horse gets older. An artist will often charge a few hundred and need several weeks. At Get Your Print Together you can create a horse portrait from an ordinary photo, in several styles such as ink and watercolour, and order it as a poster or a digital download.
2. A stable name plate. An engraved plate with the horse's name (and perhaps the owner's) for the stable door. Check the yard rules first: not every livery yard allows screws in the door.
3. An embroidered headcollar or cap. Many tack shops embroider the horse's name on a headcollar, saddle pad or fleece cap. Order early, as lead times grow around the holidays.
4. A photo shoot with horse and rider. An hour with a professional photographer produces pictures riders never get themselves, because they are always in the saddle or behind the camera.
5. A photo book of the past year. Collect photos of shows, hacks and yard moments (friends at the yard are usually happy to help) and turn them into a book.
Practical gifts for the yard
Practical is fine, as long as it gets used up or is always useful. Then a duplicate is no problem.
6. Horse treats and licks. Always a hit, and easy to pair with something personal. If the horse is on a diet, for example because it is prone to laminitis, choose low-sugar treats.
7. A good grooming brush. A natural-bristle finishing brush is a luxury many riders never buy for themselves.
8. Grooming and care products. Mane and tail spray, hoof oil, leather balm and shampoo always run out.
9. A grooming bag or box. Handy for anyone still keeping their kit in a bucket.
10. Warm yard clothing. Thick socks, gloves you can still do up a headcollar in, or a gilet for long winter evenings at the yard.
11. Rug washing. It sounds boring but is hugely welcome: a voucher for a rug-washing service saves a filthy job.
Gifts for riders who have everything
12. A lesson or clinic with a good instructor. A private lesson with a trainer they have admired for a while, or a place on a clinic.
13. A ride somewhere special. A beach ride or a hack across moorland, for someone without their own horse or who fancies something different.
14. Tickets to a horse show. Big events such as the Horse of the Year Show in October and the London International Horse Show in December make a great day out. Book early, as the best seats go quickly.
15. A visit from an equine dentist, physio or saddle fitter. Less romantic, but many owners put these off because of the cost. Check first, as most owners have a regular practitioner.
16. A subscription to a horse magazine or training platform. For readers and anyone who follows training videos online.
Small gifts and ideas for horse-mad girls
When you are shopping for a horse-mad girl, imagination plays a big part too. These ideas work well up to about fourteen:
17. A poster of her favourite riding-school pony. A portrait of 'her' pony above the bed feels like having a horse of her own. You can order a horse portrait as a poster in several sizes.
18. Horse books. From pony stories to practical guides on horse care and riding.
19. Her own grooming kit in her favourite colour. With her name on it, so she no longer has to use the riding school's brushes.
20. A Breyer or Schleich horse that looks like her favourite pony. A big hit with younger children.
21. A day helping out at a riding school or stud. Seeing foals or helping at the yard for a day leaves a bigger impression than a thing.
What not to give
- Saddles, bits and bridles. They have to fit horse and rider, and people prefer to choose them themselves.
- Feed or supplements. What a horse eats is often agreed with a vet or nutritionist.
- Rugs in the wrong size. A rug that doesn't fit can rub or slip.
- Anything with a big horse head on it. Unless you are sure it will go down well. Many horse people already have more than enough.
Making the gift personal
You can make almost any gift more personal by adding the horse's name or a photo of the horse. No good photo? Ask someone at the yard or look on social media: there is often a lovely shot you can use for a portrait of the horse. A sharp photo with the head clearly visible works best.
Combine a small practical gift (treats, a brush) with something lasting (a portrait, a photo book). That way there is something to use straight away and something to keep.
