Things You'll Need:
- phone book to find a local tack shop and other resources
- internet
- mailing catalogs
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Step 1
If the horse person for whom you are shopping has a horse or rides horses, find out what discipline (s)he rides and what breed of horse (s)he rides. This will guide the rest of your gift shopping. If the person isn't directly involved with horses find out what kind of horses they like. Does (s)he like wild horses/mustangs? Does (s)he follow a specific discipline or breed in the news? Does (s)he like Western/cowboy imagery?
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Step 2
Go to a local tack store and ask a sales person to help you find a gift. Tell him or her your budget and what discipline/breed of horse your horse person has and ask for suggestions. Many horse products and tack items are specific to horse and rider (and expensive!), so ask for small, less specific products that could be used more generally by someone in that discipline. A good brush can be used by any horse person! Your horse person will be touched that you went the extra mile to get something he or she can actually use.
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Step 3
Go shopping with another horse person, preferably someone who rides in the same discipline as the one for whom you are choosing a gift. They will know more details and can help guide you to products or items that your person will like. The tack salesperson and your horsey confidant can also explain when it might be appropriate to have something like a saddle pad monogrammed.
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Step 4
You can also use your confidant to help you shop for your horse person with a catalog. He or she will probably have some mailing catalogs and be aware of useful websites for ordering online. Have him or her go through the items with you and come up with a list of gifts your horse person will like. Then, as always, you can make the final decision to add the personal touch.
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Step 5
Large tack shops often have nice gift items that would also be appropriate for someone that loves horses but does not own one. If you do not have a resource like that near you, try looking for "classy" horse themed gifts. Browse art websites for a nice print or painting that you can frame. Remember to keep your horse person's interests in mind. Or, visit your local fair trade store for an elegant figurine made out of clay or stone or a tasteful, unusual piece of horse-themed jewelery. The options are limitless
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Step 6
If you are shopping for a horse lover who might not get to ride, the ultimate gift might be a horse experience. Options range from a trail ride ($25-$35) to a horse back riding vacation (great surprise for a spouse!). An awesome Christmas gift would be a sleigh ride. This can be a whole family experience and would be great for older horse-loving grandparents.
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Step 7
If you are shopping for an expensive, individual gift such as a saddle or boots you will need to involve the horse person. Purchasing something like this takes time, custom boots will take months, and needs to fit the rider or horse exactly. You can tell him or her about the gift ahead of time and then accompany him or her through the process. This way, you will learn interesting things and show your support for his/her interest. Or, you could give him or her a representation such as a model horse saddle wrapped in small box with a note explaining what he or she will receive.
Comments
jplamer said
on 3/1/2009 Good list... helps a lot. There are customizable horse gifts at FarmGifts.us. There's a video that shows how to customize, too.
purrfect1969-2 said
on 12/15/2008 This article contains some really great tips that a person who doesn't know much about horses would appreciate if and when buying a gift for a horse person. Great job.
purrfect1969-2 said
on 12/15/2008 This article contains some really great tips that a person who doesn't know much about horses would appreciate if and when buying a gift for a horse person. Great job.
IMAGEineTHIS said
on 10/26/2008 This is a very good article. As a very horsey person, any horsey friend or colleage I know LOVES practical gifts. Horse decorum gets old, but get us something we can use or we need, we'll owe you for life!
Inkling said
on 10/8/2008 I recently discovered shopping at a Tractor Supply store. They have some of the nicest foot wear and jeans! I imagine horsey people wear Wranglers? :)