It’s Not Too Late To Get A Christmas Gift For The Horse Enthusiast On Your List

If you’re anything like me, you’re behind schedule to buy some last-minute Christmas gifts for the horse lover on your list. And if you know anything about horse people, you know that they are kind of… obsessed.

Now, while I’m not here to argue with you over whether or not being obsessed with large, hoofed animals is a good thing (it is), I will say that it actually makes last-minute Christmas gift-giving a breeze.

Have no fear, The Wrangler is here.

Kinds of Christmas Gifts Any Horse Lover Will Appreciate

Ultimately, there are two kinds of horse lovers:

• Those with access to horses
• Those without access to horses.

Horse enthusiasts with access to horses will often enjoy many of the same gifts as those without. However, if you try to give a horse lover who never gets to go to the barn a grooming set, it could prove disappointing.

The following liss should help you narrow down some options. I have divided a few easy-to-find and quick-to-deliver equestrian gifts into three categories:

• Gifts for people who own their own horse
• Gifts for people who don’t own their horse, but certainly spend “too much” time at the barn
• Gifts for people who dream about owning horses “one day”

Gifts for People Who Own Their Own Horse

Custom Christmas Ornaments

Usually $25-$30 | Now $15-$20

Believe it or not, you can actually get a custom ornament made on Etsy today and have it in the mail by tomorrow! ModernXmas advertises being able to “ship nearly all orders same or next-day and all orders will come with a free gift-box!”

To purchase one of their personalized, 3″ ceramic horse Christmas ornaments all you need is the name and a high-quality photo of your horse lover’s equine friend.

The ornament also comes in an adorable heart shape, sold under ModernXmas’ sister Etsy company, HeartOrnaments.

Gift Cards

Usually $10 – $500

Of course, a gift card is always a welcome Christmas present! Especially for the choosy horse owner who might have very specific ideas of what flavor treat their horse prefers or which color suits them best.

The best part is that most companies offer both physical and digital versions of their retail gift cards, meaning you know for sure that that perfect something will be ready Christmas day!

The Kind of Riding Determines The Store

The only word of warning here is about which store you buy the gift card from:

If your horse lover rides English – that is to say they usually ride in form-fitting pants and a small saddle – you will want to get them a gift card to a store such as Dover Saddlery which specializes in English tack.

On the other hand, if the person you are shopping for rides western – you know, a big saddle and probably a big hat, too – then a store such as Chicks Saddlery might be more up their alley.

If you still aren’t sure which store is the right one to buy your equine enthusiast’s present from, just try State Line Tack. They have enough from column a and column b to satisfy almost anyone.

Christmas Gifts for People Who Just Hang Out At The Barn Too Much

Horse Treats

Usually $5 – $20

Nothing will make someone the most popular person in the barn aisle like being the purveyor of high-quality horse treats. Take a short stroll down the aisle at your local feed store and you will see that they come in all sizes, shapes, quantities and flavors.

While almost any of the horse snacks you can find at the local Tractor Supply or Murdoch’s will be just fine, if you have the time you should definitely upgrade! Charleigh’s Cookies are organic, high-quality, low sugar treats any horse (or horse owner) would approve of.

Mane and Tail Accessories

Usually $10 – $20

Even for the enthusiasts who don’t have a horse of their own, grooming, doting on, and brushing out horses at the local barn is a fun and hands-on task that teaches equestrians how to handle horses.

Many a riding student has boasted of their ability to get a mane or tail to lay just right and shine so bright with the help of a rare aid – ShowSheen. This gift is fun because it is one of a handful of grooming tools that is not typically provided by the barn’s communal supplies. It is also the sort of present that many a young horseman or woman would want in their barn tote, but rarely would buy for themselves.

Additionally, rubber bands specifically designed for horses’ manes and tails go a long way in the equine hairstylist’s hands. These rubber bands can be found on almost any tack website – including Amazon! If you aren’t sure what color to get, just shoot for black or brown.

Christmas Present Ideas For The Horse Lover In Us All

A Trail Ride Experience or Horseback Riding Lessons

Usually – $125

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the obvious, ultimate gift for anyone who really, really wants a horse encounter is just that! If you live in Colorado, Tattered Saddle has a pretty cool experience called the Scratch&Ride where first-timers (and even those who know what they are doing) learn to groom and saddle a real horse! Following the half-hour, hands-on experience, a wrangler takes you out onto the trails for a 1-hour horseback ride. While this gift can’t be given under the tree, a gift card for the event certainly can! What a cool experience for a horse-lover to look forward to.

Even if you don’t live in Colorado, though, the experience of horses can be gifted almost anywhere! Google your local riding school or club and ask how much a few lessons would cost. The memories earned and the skills learned will last your horse enthusiast a lifetime!

Model Horse Figurines

Usually $5 – $100

These may just look like toys to you, but whether your horse lover is 6 or 60, few can resist the pull of the model horse.

One of the best known creators of model horses, Breyer, totes the tagline, “a horse of my very own.” They make models for all ages and interest levels – from paint-your-own activity sets to pricey and rare statues.

For figurines that are a little more toddler-friendly and may even be found at the local toy store, look at makers like Schleich.

Equestrian Gift or Subscription Boxes

Usually $25 – $60

As a kid, I loved racing to the mailbox on the first of the month when i just knew my pony club subscription had arrived. I can’t even remember the name or brand of the book club, but they would send one or two horse-centric (and age-appropriate) novellas to my house along with something like a sticker or an eraser. I didn’t have a horse of my own, but having something especially for me and to my interests was always such a joy!

There are still subscriptions and gift boxes like that out there today, although many of them, like SaddleBox, are aimed at folks who own or are around horses. Some, like those found on Etsy, are perfectly aimed at the dreamer.

In addition, it is not difficult to make a horse-lover gift box of your own! Choose about five, age-appropriate items for your equine enthusiast: a candle, a coloring book, a pair of horsie socks, some equine costume jewelry, some cool, horse stickers, horse-themed postcards, and some snacks. Arrange them into a cute box from Michaels or another craft store and voila!

A Horse-Magazine Subscription

Usually $4 – $6 a month

A lot of people no longer read physical magazines. Thankfully, almost all horse subscriptions are now available in print AND digital varieties! Whether they own a horse or not, the stories and information shared in Equine magazines are fun and informative ways to feed someone’s interest in our hooved friends.

There are magazines aimed specifically at younger audiences, like Young Rider. This magazine includes fun tips and tricks for everything from drawing horses to braiding their manes and winning blue ribbons at shows!

Horse&Rider focuses on western and cowboy forms of horsemanship, while Horse Illustrated is a good all-around publication that covers all forms of the equestrian lifestyle, and Equus, which focuses heavily on the more scientific and medical aspects of horses and horse ownership. I think any of them are suitable for the enthusiastic horse addict.

Did You Find The Perfect Last-minute Christmas Gift For Your Horse Lover?

I certainly hope you did. Now get out there and get shopping!

Merry Christmas,

The Wrangler