An Equestrian’s 2023 Guide to the Holidays

Horse and dog in Santa hats with a gift next to them in a snowy landscape

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 2023 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.

Outback Trading Co. Women's Hattie Jacket

Help your loved one stay warm and toasty with a piece of outerwear designed just for equestrians. The Outback Trading Co. Women’s Hattie Jacket is warm, yet lightweight, which makes it great for layering. Vests, like the Ariat Women’s Ashley Insulated Vest and the Engel Women’s 100% Wool 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.

AWST International Tote Bag

The Ariat Women’s Victoria Fringe Clutch Brown Western 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. Be sure to check out the AWST International Tote Bag and the American Glory Style Hazel Crossbody Bag!

Urban Equestrian Labradorite Horseshoe Necklace

Dazzle them with a new piece of jewelry. Willow and Birch is a local company that produces gorgeous wood-cut earrings that showcase a love of horses, chickens, and farm life. They are high-quality and durable, making the jewelry appropriate for daily wear. The all-new line of Urban Equestrian jewelry offers eye-catching designs that will accent every outfit. The Urban Equestrian Blacksmith Bangle and the Urban Equestrian Labradorite Horseshoe Necklace are sure to make a statement!

SSG Winter Rancher Deerskin Gloves

Warm hands make all the difference! 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 lovely 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.

AWST International Acrylic Cashmere Scarf/Shawl - Bit Print

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 scarves, like the B Vertigo Women’s Rosa Knitted Neck Warmer Scarf and the AWST International Acrylic Cashmere Scarf/Shawl, that add an equestrian flair to every outfit. If your gift recipient experiences any neck pain, check out the Back On Track Therapeutic Scarf, which offers therapeutic benefits in addition to warmth.

Harbor Sweets Dark Horse Chocolates Andalusian Evening Gift Box - 16-Piece Set

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, Dressage Classics, and the ever-popular Harbor Sweets Dark Horse Chocolates Peanut Butter Pony. These chocolates have become a holiday tradition for many of our customers (and employees!).

Mrs. Pastures Cookie Stocking

It’s a fact—horses love treats, too. Consider surprising your horse lover with a selection of delicious horse treats for their equine companion. Check out our Complete Horse Treats Buying Guide for personalized recommendations, or choose a fun holiday-inspired formula, like the Canterbury Cookies Horse Treats – Peppermint Plops or the Mrs. Pastures Cookie Stocking.

WeatherBeeta Marble Saddle Pads

Some of the best gifts for equestrians aren’t for them at all… consider spoiling their horse instead! The WeatherBeeta Marble Saddle Pads and the LeMieux Matching Sets will have their horses looking fantastic in the ring and on the trails. Feeling festive? The Horze Santa line makes sure that horses are ready to dress to impress this holiday season.

Simplify your shopping and consider the present that is the perfect fit for everyone—a Cheshire Horse Gift Card! This generous gift lets them pick out exactly what they (or their horse) need this holiday season.

The Cheshire Horse Gift Card

Cheshire Horse gift cards keep their value forever, without any hidden fees. They’re sure to please any rider, horse owner, or animal lover. We carry an incredible selection of horse, farm, and pet supplies from brands you can trust. All gift cards can be redeemed online or in either of our retail stores.

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 other horse lovers in your life. Consider making a gift basket (or feed bucket!) with a few of these options for a truly personalized gift.

Janus Adult Wool Design Socks

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 and the Smartwool Women’s Hike Light Cushion Ankle Socks, in addition to our holiday-themed socks and horse-themed socks (the GT Reid Adult Winter Sleigh Socks are adorable!). 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.

Wellspring Gift "Dog Is Love" Journal

If you are shopping for someone who loves putting a pen to paper, a journal makes a great gift. The Wellspring Journals feature bright and quirky artwork, 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.

Old World Shetland Pony Ornament

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 other animals, including llamas, honeycombs, and Friesian horses. 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!

The Cheshire Horse YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler - Camp Green

Help to keep their morning cup of coffee or tea steaming hot with a new mug. The Cheshire Horse YETI 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 hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel, one at a time, right here in the USA.

Begin and Begin Again: The Bright Optimism of Reinventing Life with Horses

For the bookworm, we have a large collection of books for the equestrian (all available at 20% OFF!). 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, Open Heart, Open Mind: A Pathway To Rediscovering Horsemanship, and Begin and Begin Again

AWST International Flour Sack Kitchen Towel - Beige Toile

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 Arthur Court Bottle Opener.

Passier Lederbalsam

Equestrians always appreciate helpful items around the barn. And, as we all know, it seems as though tack cleaning is a never-ending task. Pick up some high-quality leather care products to put a smile on their face as they scrub their favorite saddle or bridle. The Carr & Day & Martin Brecknell Turner Saddle & Leather Conditioning Soap and Passier Lederbalsam are customer favorites!

Mane 'n Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy

Spending time in the barn is wonderful for the soul, but it can be tough on the body. Support their aching joints with a topical pain relief ointment, for example, Dr. Sarah’s Essentials Arnica Ice Pain Relieving Lotion or MediNatura T-Relief Pain Relief Ointment. For cracked hands and rough skin, heavy-duty hand and body creams, like Naked Bee Serious Hand Repair Cream and Mane ‘n Tail Hoofmaker Hand & Nail Therapy, are always welcomed!

Grey Horse Candle Tin - Apples for Horses

After a long day at the barn, a bubble bath is just the thing! Set the mood with a Grey Horse Candle, designed to bring in the smells of their favorite place… the barn! Check out scents such as bran mash, cedar shavings, and moonlight rides. Soothe your equestrian’s skin with locally made soaps from Scalise Family Sheep Farm; their Sheep’s Milk Soap nourishes the skin naturally!

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.

Smoky Mountain Boots Toddler's Florence Western Boots

Outfit your young equestrian with equestrian-inspired clothing. We are particularly fond of the Kerrits Kids’ Happy Herd Pullover Hoodie, which features a cozy interior, a hay-resistant exterior, and an adorable horse motif. This versatile sweatshirt will quickly become a favorite, both for the barn and wearing to grandma’s house.

What about a fresh pair of kicks? We just can’t get enough of the adorable boots from Smoky Mountain, such as the Smoky Mountain Boots Toddler’s Florence Western Boots, made just for the littlest of equestrians.

Heritage Performance Gloves Kids' Performance Gloves

For the junior horseback rider, look for items that support their time in the saddle. A riding outfit (or a few pieces) always fits the bill. From riding shirts (we love The Cheshire Horse Kids’ Long Sleeved Tee with Pink Logo) to breeches, these are clothing items that will be worn to the barn time and time again. Remember the accessories as well—socks, like the Ovation Kids’ Novelty Pony Socks or the Shires Aubrion Kids’ Bamboo Ankle Socks, and gloves, such as the Heritage Kids’ Performance Gloves and the EquiStar Kids’ Pony Fleece Gloves, make fantastic stocking stuffers.

Sky View Farm Stick Horse - Tory

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! Consider combining playtime and storytime with a copy of A Horsey Home: A Sky View Farm Adventure and a Sky View Farm Stick Horse, where your child can ride one of the leading equine characters! 

Douglas White Retriever PJ Pup

We also carry beautiful plush animals from a local company, Douglas Cuddle Toys. Every child is delighted to unwrap a new stuffed animal. The White Retriever Pup is wearing festive pajamas to help celebrate the season!

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.

Breyer 2023 Holiday Horse - Highlander

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. The Breyer Cheryl White-Rider, Horse & Book Set is perfect for encouraging kids to read the inspiring story while playing along with their own model. The smaller-scale model horses, farm animals, dogs, cats, and even dinosaurs from Schleich and CollectA make fantastic stocking stuffers!

Waldhausen Kids' Lucky Heart Body Brush

Young riders love pampering the horses and ponies in their lives! Consider filling a bucket with grooming tools, such as the Waldhausen Kid’s Lucky Heart Body Brush and the Tail Tamer Mini Rainbow Mane Brush, as well as waterless shampoo and moisturizing coat spray, for a personalized equine gift package. Try coordinating the bucket and grooming tools in a favorite color for a 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.

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