There’s just over a week until Christmas and the pressure is on. You’re stressing out because you’re still shopping for the horse(wo)man in your life and are aren’t sure what to get them.
Have no fear … here are seven gifts (admittedly, a few may be a bit ambitious) that will make you their favorite person this holiday season.
1) Money For Hay – What is more fitting to give someone for Christmas than a gift that goes in a manager? If you’re not aware, horses eat a lot and hay is always a welcome gift … however, whatever you do, do not buy the actual hay! You never know if their mount is on a special mix of Timothy and Alfalfa because of his allergies or if he gets fat on air so he only eats grass hay. It’s much safer to just give the equestrian in your life a few hundred dollars or pre-pay at the feed store. If you do decide that choosing the hay is the best option for you, don’t be surprised if they sell the load you bought because it’s not going anywhere near their horse.
Buying hay for horses may seem simple but don’t fall into that trap!
2) A Tack Store Gift Certificate – Just go to your nearest tack store and ask them for a gift certificate in your chosen amount. Remember what I said about not buying the hay? The same thing goes for tack. It may seem like a great idea to surprise your friend with that blingy bridle you saw when you walked in the door but I promise you’ll want to leave it on the hook and go for the gift certificate unless you are absolutely sure bling is her thing.
With so many tack options, your best bet is to let them choose what they want.
3) A Horse – Want to go above and beyond? Buy them a horse! Horses come in all shapes and sizes and you can even buy Justify or Stingray (you may not know those names, but I can promise they’re important!) The best part? You can even buy them at Target! If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m talking about toy horses or you go even a little farther and buy them a share in a racehorse – there are many syndicates around the world who offer low cost shares that allow you to own various amounts of a horse. Though, if you’d like to buy the horse(wo)man in your life a whole horse, I’m not stopping you!
Everything from toy horses to shares in racehorses are available for you to buy this holiday season.
4) Barn Chore Coupons – This one not only benefits them but you as well! They get a clean barn and you get a free fitness session. Coupons to help with barn chores are easy to make and don’t cost you anything but a little time. Don’t be offended if the only thing you’re allowed to do is clean stalls or tack though – equestrians are big enough control freaks that even having someone else pour feed or throw hay may be too much for our brains!
Don’t be offended if you catch us secretly making sure you’re doing the barn chores correctly.
5) Riding Lessons – Are you close to this person in your life? Find a place to buy riding lessons! If your goal is to stay in their life, it’s probably best if you don’t tell them you bought this present until you break the news that YOU will be taking the lessons. We always try to get our friends and family members addicted to horses so it will be one of the best gifts they’ll get. Bonus … there will probably be plenty of laughs while you learn to ride.
Not much will please equestrians like being told a loved one is joining in on their riding fun.
6) An Equine Vacation – If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, this suggestion is for you (if you didn’t buy them the real life horse above or want to go above and beyond). Most horse people are so obsessed with horses that they want to be with them even on vacation. A plane ticket to Ireland with a booking to ride a horse on the beach, tickets to next December’s National Finals Rodeo, and/or a week at a dude ranch in Montana will be welcome gifts. Plus, who doesn’t want to become real life City Slickers and spend their vacation on a cattle drive?
No matter where we are, you can guarantee we’ll find a horse.
And last but DEFINITELY not least …
7) Don’t Send Them A Message About 52 Thoroughbreds Needing Homes – We all know you have good intentions when sending the equestrians in your life a post saying 52 Thoroughbreds need homes. Our Christmas present to you is letting you know that all those horses are safe … and found homes back in 2011. The post goes around multiple times a year (and you’ve probably already seen it at least once this year) with a different phone number and sometimes even a different story. It’s tempting to share but everyone in your life will consider it a good Christmas gift if you just scroll on by it.
You’ll likely send your equestrian friends running if you send them the post.