It’s just about time to pack up your horse’s fly sheets and start digging his winter blankets out of storage. There’s no doubt about it, winter is just around the corner and holiday season is nearly upon us. So grab a pumpkin spice latte, cuddle up with your favorite cozy blanket and check out some gifts we’ve selected for the fellow horse lovers in your life. Whether you want to spend $10 or $200, we’ve rounded up some options in every price range.
Ring in the Holidays
Welcome guests to your home or barn with a festive Horse-Head Wreath handmade in the United States. A spin-off from traditional holiday wreaths, this lush horse-head-shaped wreath is made from artificial foliage, holiday greenery, glitter flowers, pine cones, holly and comes complete with a large ribbon. Flower and ribbon colors can be customized. There is also a deluxe wreath that includes more decoration and a ribbon bridle, and an option with two deluxe wreaths facing each other (photo at left). Each single wreath measures 2½ by 2½ feet. Regular wreath is $68, deluxe is $89, double is $174; https://www.etsy.com/shop/Alldesignsequine.
Horse-Head WreathHorses in Your Heart
The polished sterling silver Diamond Horse Heart Necklace from Joy Jewelers features two horses touching noses with their necks arched in a heart shape. The pendant measures 18.7 by 22.7 millimeters and includes .03-carat total weight round, single-cut diamond accents. The diamonds are I-J in color (nearly colorless) and fall between I2–I3 in clarity. The sterling silver chain is 18 inches long and closes with a spring-ring clasp. This necklace is part of the company’s ASPCA Tender Voices jewelry collection and every necklace purchased benefits the ASPCA. $89.97; www.joyjewelers.com.
Diamond Horse Heart NecklaceHigh-End Horse Treats
The all-natural Christmas Collection of horse treats from Snaks 5th Avenchew make a tasty and festive reward for your horse. The company focuses on creating allergen-free treats that don’t contain any harsh or irritating additives. Ingredients in the Christmas Collection of Snaks are flour, molasses, sugar and cinnamon, and every treat that Snaks 5th Avenchew prepares is handmade in the United States. Each treat in this collection is about 3 inches long, and there are six holiday-themed Snaks per order. $15; www.snaks5thavenchew.com.
Christmas CollectionDeck the Stalls
Be the talk of the barn this holiday season with a hand-painted Portrait Stall Sign from Moxie Designs. Each sign is completely customizable, and there are 10 different sign shapes, numerous wood stains and your choice of over 50 different fonts. In addition, your horse can be painted in any pose or discipline with both head and full-body portraits available under tack or without. Stall plaques are finished with three to four coats of high-grade marine sealer, making them resistant to wear and tear from barn and outdoor use. Prices range from $45-$120 depending on size and detail www.customstallsigns.com.
Portrait Stall SignBrighten Up the Winter Blues
The vivid Floral Belt by Jenny Krauss will remind you that spring is on the way. These wool belts are hand-woven and embroidered by South American artisans according to fair-trade practices. Dozens of colors are used in each belt, ensuring they are one of a kind. The 1-inch-wide belt comes with a metal buckle and five holes spaced 2 inches apart, making it wearable on your hips or waist. Available base colors are cream, blue, citron, black, light blue or brown. Sizes small (23–31 inches), medium (28–37 inches) and large (34–43 inches); $64; www.jennykrauss.com.
Floral BeltSpruce Up Your Christmas Tree
Part of the Trail of Painted Ponies holiday collection, the Song of the Cardinal Ornament shows off the work of artist Laurie Cook. The ornament was inspired by a snowy winter morning when the artist glanced out her window and saw two cardinals singing to each other while perched on a snow-laden evergreen tree. This enchanting winter scene continues on both sides of the ornament. The 3.3-inch rearing horse is hand-painted by talented artisans. The artist was involved in every step of the approval process, ensuring that the finished product is faithful to the original design. $17.99; www.trailofpaintedponies.com.
Song of the Cardinal OrnamentSaddle Soap Sampler
The handmade Equestrian Gift Pack from Horsing Around Soap™ includes a 0.5-ounce sample size of each of the company’s four castile saddle soaps as well as a 4-ounce bar of Oats and Honey hand soap and a 2-fluid-ounce bottle of helmet freshening spray with a spa-type clean scent. Each low-sudsing saddle soap cleans and polishes leather in one step and contains no harmful chemicals, phthalates, preservatives, parabens or colorants. Saddle soap fragrances are blueberry, cilantro, lavender and raspberry. Hand soap is vegan friendly and measures 1 by 3 by 2.5 inches. Gift pack comes in a decorative box; $15; www.horsingaroundsoap.com.
Equestrian Gift PackEnhance Your Winter Wardrobe
The Home Is Where My Horse Is Shirt from Stirrups Clothing Company makes a heartfelt gift for any horse owner on your list. The back of the T-shirt features a screen-printed “Home Is Where My Horse Is” design, and the shirt’s front showcases the company’s Equestrian Prep Collection™ logo on the pocket. All designs in this collection are printed on pre-shrunk 100-percent cotton Comfort Colors pocket tees. The shirt is available in one color, blue jean, and comes in long or short sleeves. Unisex sizes small, medium, large and x-large; $30 for short sleeve and $34 for long sleeve; www.stirrupsclothing.com.
Home Is Where My Horse Is ShirtDiversify Your Horse’s Diet
Made from all-natural ingredients, Brittany’s Bran Mash® is a great way to warm up your horse this winter. Everything you need is included in the bag. Just empty the contents into a bucket and add enough warm water to cover the mash. Each bag contains wheat bran, oats, beet pulp, ground flax seed and dehydrated fruits or peppermints. The mash is ideally fed as a treat or an occasional addition to your horse’s current feed. Flavors are absolutely apple, carrot crazy, tropical fruit frenzy, peppermint pucker or strawberry bananza. Available in 32-ounce pony-size or 48-ounce horse-size bags. $9.95–$13.95; www.brittanysbranmash.com.
Brittany’s Bran Mash®Customize Your Caber-neigh
The dishwasher-safe Life Is Simple Stemless Wine Glasses from Premier Home and Gifts make an elegant present for any adult equestrian in your life. Underneath the line “Life is Simple at…”, you can personalize the glasses by adding the recipient’s name or barn. Each 21-ounce glass is individually hand-etched in the United States. Glasses come in sets of four with the same design of two horses and a row of flowers along with the custom engraving on each glass. $48 per set; www.premierhomeandgifts.com.
Life Is Simple Stemless Wine GlassesCombat the Cold
When bad weather strikes, the Therminator Winter Riding Pants from Kerrits® are here to help. The breeches are made with fleece-lined stretch performance Windsport™ soft-shell fabric that is wind- and water- resistant. Kerrit Sticks™ technology is incorporated throughout the seat and inner legs, providing both the grip and stretch necessary when in the saddle. Breeches have a front-zip fly with belt loops and two front-zip pockets. Machine washable; colors are graphite, bison or black; sizes small, medium, large and x-large; $119; www.kerrits.com.
Therminator Winter Riding Pants from Kerrits®Show Off Your Sparkle
Suitable for riding stars of all ages, Twinkle™ Toes Glitter Hoof Polish makes a fun holiday gift. Apply Twinkle Toes to your horse’s clean, dry hooves or over black hoof polish using the built-in brush applicator. For more vibrant results, apply more than one coat. To remove, lightly sand the hoof with sandpaper, use hoof-polish remover or let Twinkle Toes wear off naturally. Shake well before use; comes in gold, rainbow stars, silver, royal, copper, iridescent frost, pink, purple, red or emerald; 4-ounce bottle; $15; www.twinkleglitter.com.
Twinkle™ Toes Glitter Hoof PolishThis article originally appeared in the November 2016 issue of Practical Horseman.
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