An Equestrian’s Guide to the Holidays

Are you looking for the perfect present for the equestrian in your life? From stocking stuffers to timeless classics, we have something for everyone on your list at The Cheshire Horse. Check out our top ideas for the 2021 holiday season, or contact a member of our professional sales team for personalized shopping recommendations.

Gifts for the Horse Lover

When it comes to shopping for horse lovers and horse owners, we recommend turning to items with equestrian detailing that showcases their passions. Additionally, comfort is a priority, especially during the cold winter months when the barn chores seem to be never-ending; consider looking for a gift that they will reach for time and time again as they head to the barn.

Both fashionable and functional, a casual Western hat, such as the Bullhide Lovely Western Hat, make the perfect gift for anyone who spends long hours in the barn. We carry felt, straw, leather, and oil skin options, like the Outback Trading Co. Grizzly Hat. They are terrific for handling the wet weather, while also keeping the sun off of your face. These versatile hats can truly be worn year-round!

Help your loved one stay warm and toasty with a piece of outerwear designed just for equestrians. The Elements of Style Noelle Puffer Jacket is warm, yet lightweight, which makes it great for layering. It also packs all up into a small pouch, making it popular for equestrians who are traveling to the barn or chilly winter horse shows. Vests, like the Ariat Ideal Down Vest, are wonderful for taking the chill off while working around the barn or while riding. We love how vests keep your core warm while giving you a full range of movement with your arms.

An Equestrian Tote Bag or a Horse-Themed Wallet is sure to make a splash. We love the handbags from AWST, Art of Riding, Stirrups, and Professional’s Choice that integrate uniquely equestrian details into their thoughtful designs. These are great for daily use or for storing riding wear in between trips to the barn.

Dazzle them with a new piece of jewelry. Montana Silversmiths produces gorgeous pendants, brilliant earrings, and stunning bracelets; these incredible and unique pieces showcase a love of horses. They are high-quality and durable, making the jewelry appropriate for daily wear. The Finishing Touch of Kentucky line of jewelry is a popular choice for young riders. We love the Finishing Touch of Kentucky Horse Head Locket that lets your young horse lover carry their horse’s photo close to their heart.

Warm hands, warm heart! Gloves are truly the gift that keeps on giving. The supple SSG Winter Rancher Deerskin Gloves are a long-time standby for men and women alike. Lined with soft polar fleece, they keep your fingers warm for hours and are wonderful for working around the barn. We carry gloves for riding and working around the farm. The versatile Roeckl Weldon Polar Fleece Gloves are more than just for the barn, they also make wonderful gloves for driving or running errands around town.

Scarves and neck warmers are always the perfect fit! We love these fun and functional pieces of apparel that are equally at home running errands around town as they are working in the barn. The Equisite Elements of Style Le Cheval Scarf is popular among many horse lovers, with its classy equine motif. This oversized scarf can be worn as a shawl and is made of luxuriously soft fabric, it is sure to be a beloved gift for years to come. We also carry infinity scarves from AWST, like the AWST English Tack Infinity Scarf, that add an equestrian flair to every outfit. If your gift recipient experiences any neck pain, check out the Back On Track Toby Wool Blend Scarf, which offers therapeutic benefits in addition to warmth.

Indulge a sweet tooth with chocolates from Dark Horse Chocolates by Harbor Sweets. Locally made in New England, they utilize high-quality ingredients in their confections. Many of the flavors have wonderful equestrian-inspired names, such as Peppermint Ponies, Grand Prix Jumpers, Tally-Ho, and Dressage Classics. These chocolates have become a holiday tradition for many of our customers.

Stocking Stuffers

Sometimes, the best things come in small packages! We carry a large assortment of presents that are wonderful to show your appreciation to your barn mates, farrier, veterinarian, or another horse lover in your life. Consider making a gift basket (or feed bucket!), with a few of these options for a truly personalized gift.

Often overlooked, high-quality socks are truly one of the best gifts that an outdoor enthusiast can receive. Useful and always appreciated, no one can ever have too many socks! We carry a wide selection of wool socks, such as the Janus Adult Wool Design Socks, in addition to our holiday-themed socks and horse-themed socks. For hunt seat and dressage riders, boot socks, like the Ovation Zocks Boot Socks or the Ovation PerformerZ Boot Sock, are a must for the time spent in the saddle.

If you are shopping for someone who loves putting a pen to paper, a journal makes a great gift. The Genesis 3D Journals feature durable wooden covers that are engraved with hoof prints and other equine designs, which will make the recipient smile each time they pull it out of their bag. In addition to chronicling their thoughts, these notebooks are also useful for keeping track of to-do lists and grocery lists.

Consider a holiday ornament that helps to showcase the passions of your gift recipient. The Old World Christmas Ornaments feature exquisite renditions of horses and barnyard animals, including Quarter Horses, highland cows, and heirloom roosters. These beautifully crafted ornaments will truly be treasured for many holidays to come. The Classy Equine Ornaments come in a variety of horse breeds so that you can select your favorite!

Help to keep their morning cup of coffee or tea steaming hot with a new mug. The YETI Rambler Tumblers are perpetual favorites for equestrians on the go, helping them to transport their beverages easily. At home, many of our customers love a ceramic mug adorned with a variety of designs that feature barn life, such as the GT Reid Mare & Foals Mug. You can even help them showcase their favorite tack shop with The Cheshire Horse Mug, a stoneware mug that is hand thrown on a potter’s wheel one at a time right here in the USA.

For the bookworm, we have a large collection of books for the equestrian. Pick up a captivating novel or memoir if you are looking for a quick read. Or, check out our inspiring collection of equine behavior books and training manuals that help you learn more about how to connect with your horse. We carry a number of books from local authors like Horse Speak: An Equine-Human Translation Guide: Conversations with Horses in Their Language and Open Heart, Open Mind: A Pathway To Rediscovering Horsemanship.

At a touch of whimsy to their home decor with an equestrian or farm-yard-inspired kitchen towel. Available in a wide variety of colors and designs, these look great in any kitchen or dining area. We also carry other kitchenwares, including salt and pepper shakers, cookie cutters, and cutting boards. For the hostess, we love the GT Reid Running Horse Spreader Set or the GT Reid Horse Bottle Opener.

For the Young Rider

Shopping for children can be so much fun… especially if they love horses! For these passionate kids, we recommend finding a gift that shows you support their obsession with horses.

Outfit your young equestrian with equestrian-inspired clothing. We are particularly fond of the Pretty Pony Sweater, which features the softest fleece inside and an adorable horse motif on the exterior. This versatile sweater will quickly become a favorite, both for the barn and wearing to grandma’s house.

If you have a young rider who dreams of riding day and night, a stick horse may be the perfect gift. The JT International Stick Horse is happy to gallop around the house or even practice tempi-changes! We also carry beautiful plush animals from a local company, Douglas Cuddle Toys. Every child is delighted to unwrap a new stuffed animal.

Give the gift of hands-on horsemanship with a new Crafty Pony. These realistic plush toys help to teach your child how to properly groom, blanket, and tack-up horses. They also have an extensive selection of Crafty Pony Accessories, such as leg wraps, halters, and lead ropes, that can enhance the learning experience.

The highly collectible Breyer Model Horses are also extremely popular among horse lovers of all ages. Choose from the large (Traditional) models or the petite (Stablemate) models to help build them a herd of their own. We also carry a full selection of model barns, tack, and riders to make playtime even more fun.

Young riders love pampering the horses and ponies in their lives! Consider filling a bucket with grooming tools and treats, as well as bug spray and coat spray for a personalized equine gift package. Try coordinating the bucket and grooming tools in a favorite color for an extra special gift.

When it comes to shopping for the equestrian in your life, we are here to help! If you have any questions regarding the holiday gifts that we carry or would like shopping assistance, we invite you to reach out to our friendly sales staff. This year especially, we encourage you to shop early to ensure the largest selection and timely shipping.