Got your holiday shopping done yet?
Dec 10 2009
I admit it, I haven’t even started. I’m one of those terrible last-minute people! In case you’re with me on that, I wanted to talk today about some cool holiday gifts for horsepeople.
Hoofprints has a wide variety of very cool and most of all unique gifts for horsepeople. I am particularly fond of this sweatshirt. I think most of us are Olympic quality carrot-eating trainers, right? You can click on the shirt to get to the page where you can buy it. They also have a lot of breed-specific gifts for dog lovers, gifts for your farrier (if you have a great one, be sure to say thank you – they’re hard to find!), and beautiful sympathy cards and picture frames for those who have lost a horse.
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue is in the middle of their annual holiday fundraiser – selling decorated horseshoes! This is much more elaborate than just dressing them up a bit – there are shoes for jumpers, western riders, for certain holidays, and more. They are super cute and make a nice, under $20 gift for hard-to-buy for horsepeople.
Shiloh Rescue has an Ebay store where you can get all kinds of stuff. In fact, I should not have clicked there – there is some stuff there calling my name and in my size! 
Got your eye on some Avon loot? Order it here and 40% of the proceeds go to help Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue.
Of course, I can’t mention a horse rescue without noting that one of the nicest things you can do this holiday season is make a donation. You should never think that a small donation is not meaningful. $10 will buy a bale of hay or a bag of pellets, and every rescue appreciates it so much! You can also buy them a gift certificate at the feed store, tack shop, or pay a credit for services to their favorite vet or farrier. As always, please donate to local rescues that you yourself have checked out or national organizations that truly do have an EXCELLENT rep and NOT just a pretty web site. Remember, Jason Meduna had a pretty web site! It’s always a good sign, by the way, if lots of volunteers are there on a regular basis. You just do not throw open your property to lots of people if you are trying to hide things. Okay, end rant but you know why I’m saying it!
Looking for a good horse book? I’ve mentioned before how much I love Erin Harty’s Complete Guide to Horse Care. Not only is it full of accurate information, but she has some things to say about responsible ownership that make it a perfect gift for a beginner that you’d like to steer along the right path. If you have a friend who has their first young/project horse, I’d recommend Ingrid and Reiner Klimke’s The New Basic Training of the Young Horse, which would set any horse on a path to success and has methods that aren’t really style-specific, even though they are dressage riders. They give common sense advice including riding your young horse on a soft rein and letting him learn to go forward, and they are very safety-conscious in what they teach. Now, for someone with an old horse who is maybe having some challenges keeping weight up, etc. I’d give a copy of Hands-On Senior Horse Care, a veterinarian-written guide to the special needs of the older horse.
If money’s short and you’re looking to give a horseperson a meaningful gift, I’ll tell you what I’ve done: Show up and do ALL their barn work. Bring them a Starbucks coffee and find out what each horse eats and then you tell them to sit on their butt and enjoy a nice breakfast with their family while you feed, fill water buckets and muck. Or offer up a day of labor to take on a big project, like cleaning the tack room. A little free and unexpected help is one of the nicest gifts you can give any horseperson, and all it will cost you is the gas to go over to their place. Win-win!
I don’t want anybody’s surprises to get revealed here, so let’s talk about past gifts – what have you given, or received, that was the perfect horsey gift? What are you hoping to find under your own tree?
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My neighbor once gave me her old copy of “No Job for a Lady” by Dr. Phyllis Lose, a copy that she’d treasured since she was younger.
Sadly, that neighbor was killed two years ago while riding in Vermont. Her horse’s flank brushed against an electric fence, he reared, and fell on top of her. She hit her head and was killed instantly, even though she was wearing a helmet.
I really miss her, and think about her whenever I re-read that book or gaze at some of the artwork she gave me. (She was an artist.)
RIP Beverly Garnet.
-Cyg
OT but:
Update–Briney Found Not Guilty of Aggravated Animal Cruelty in Admitted Beating Death of Shetland Pony
Link: http://www.monticellolive.com/briney-found-not-guilty-of-aggravated-animal-cruelty/
Un freakin’ believable. A carnival of stupidity and cruelty all around.
OMG!!! I’m going to be sick.
How could ANYONE think that was ok? How could ANYONE find him not guilty?
What is WRONG with people??? That poor, poor pony. :’(
This just breaks my heart
I’ve never gotten “serious” horse person gifts before, mostly because I’ve yet to actually own a horse, and because no one in my family is a horse owner either. But if they know you like horses, you are almost guaranteed to get something remotely horse-related. A cousin of mine bought me a subscription to Horse Illustrated last year and I’ve been given Breyer horses many times (a good thing, since I collect them). Possibly the only person in my family to understand my love of horses is my father’s father, my Papa. He owned a small black horse named Jack when he was younger, and he’ll probably be the one to help me afford a horse in the future due to that soft spot. My mom shows a mild interest in horses and riding, but not enough for it to be a large part of her goals.
What she doesn’t know is that, when I do have the space and funds for horses, I plan to find her a good gentle Haflinger to keep in my barn. Not only is it a good size and sturdiness to carry her body type, but they always come in her favorite horse color: flaxen chestnut. I’m so excited for the Christmas or Birthday or whatever that I invite my family out to wherever I’m living and I introduce my mom to “her” horse.
OT, but good news!
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54374/nyra-adopts-tough-anti-slaughter-policy
Hmmm… it’s a start, but once again, they enact a “no slaughter” policy without offering trainers actual alternatives like surrender barns or a low cost euthanasia program. *sigh*
Generally speaking, there needs to be low cost euthanasia, etc for the masses. But these are horses bred (in great quantity, mind you) for the purpose of making money- they are an industry and a business. The disposal costs for the horses needs to just be factored into the trainer/owner’s budgets, like any other business! If you can’t pay to potentially euth 10 horses a year, don’t breed or buy 10 horses a year, right? I’m not sure why the trainers would need a subsidy or a plan to dispose of their horses in a humane way (even if it is having the barn vet euth them), but that’s just me.
Most of the trainers who end up with horses at the end of their racing careers are not the people who bred them. And knowing many race trainers, they’re not exactly rolling in money – it’s a very hard existence and very precarious. Many only have a certain amount of room at their own farms, and when horses need to go, they need to go. Many of those horses are sound enough so not candidates for euthanasia. The problem is if the horses don’t sell right away, and there’s other horses that need to come in for training, and everyone is losing money, there NEED TO BE OPTIONS.
Anti-slaughter policies at tracks SOUND great, but the problem is that the trainers who sold to dealers before often continue, but they go “underground” and ship horses direct to pens instead of allowing them to be put through sales where they might be purchased by a private buyer. In a sick and twisted way, policies like this at some tracks have actually made it harder to give horses a safety net. They just disappear, or the paperwork when taking horses off the track is falsified, and such.
It’s great to talk about what people SHOULD do, but there’s reality to contend with here. If tracks are going to say “you CAN’T do this!” but offer no actual options for people with few choices, it just creates a different problem. I think every track with an anti-slaughter policy needs several things: a fund for no questions asked low cost euthanasia, and a “give up” barn where trainers can bring horses they need off the track (they’d have to partner with local rescues or fund a rehoming program – but give up horses would have to be sorted by adoptability then tough choices made about euth).
The other issue here is at what level you hold people responsible. There have been cases where horses have gone through three sets of hands in a short time – if they end up at auction is it the original trainer’s fault?
I don’t say all this because I think people should be given a free pass – it’s just what I’ve been seeing happening on the track, and the sucky reality. I just think that if you’re going to punish people by taking away their livelihood, you have to offer them options. Some of these folks don’t have the connections to network their horses or the means. You have to make doing the right thing easy.
I say Bravo to the policy NYRA has put into place. Of course it has holes in it, of course it’s not perfect – nothing is, but what I believe it will do is cause people to seek alternatives and get ducks in a line before a circumstance comes where an immediate “out” for a horse is required. Way to set an example.
My sisters and niece got me a new halter with my horse’s registered name on the noseband and his barn name on the cheek pieces for my birthday. It is the kind of kitschy but wonderful thing I would never buy for myself – and I was speechless when I opened the box. Aren’t they wonderful relatives?
My best horsey gift was, in fact, a horse! I got her for my 9th Christmas. Actually, what I opened Christmas morning was a brass framed photo of a horse. I didn’t get it until we were pulling into the barn drive that I was actually getting a real live horse! (This was even after my parents showed me her papers! I was so slow that morning!) She turned out to be an obnoxious PITA who cribbed and hated other horses, but she taught me more than any of my other horses ever did and was so very patient with me as I learned how to be a good horse person.
Giving horsey gifts…hmmm… My horsey friends usually end up with horsey ornaments or other decorative horsey things. Probably not very original, but usually pretty. I did give my father-like MS friend a painting of 2 guys on their horses one year, but it wasn’t for Christmas. He loved it, and it is still one of my best paintings. It hangs beautifully on the wall of his barn apartment.
I am a pedigree nerd so I have always loved giving and receiving the “Legends” books published by Western Horseman. They have great old photos and histories on famous Quarter Horses. For Appaloosa fans, “Spotted Pride” by Frank Holmes is a super book. There are stories and photos of “25 of the breed’s greatest foundation horses” like Bright Eyes Brother, Navajo Breeze, and Red Eagle. Frank Holmes’ book about a great Quarter Horse, “King,” is also a good read and addition to a horse person’s library.
Another fun idea is having a pedigree done on your loved one’s horse. This often requires knowing the horse’s registered name and number or sending a photo copy of it’s papers so is easiest done by spouses, parents or children. Marilyn Carr Pedigree Service (660)263-0669 gives you a beautiful extended pedigree on AQHA, ApHC(Appaloosa), and Jockey Club horses (and maybe more) including registration numbers, colors, breed championships and points earned, etc. They are not only nice keepsakes, they are helpful when selling a horse or its offspring (or when standing a stallion at stud). The last I knew, they were only about $35 per horse.
My gifts to others come in the form of donations to charities in their name. I pick something that I know will be meaningful. I’ve had several friends with family members affected by Alzheimers, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and so on. I have always donated to cat and dog shelters, and horse rescues are a relatively new but very important part of my life now, so of course they get a little something, too.
I donate all year long, actually, and you’re right, Cathy — time is just as great a gift as “treasure” when you come right down to it. I think everyone appreciates getting their tack room (and their tack ;o) cleaned, and maybe it’s too cold out right now to field wash saddle pads or blankets, but you can always issue an IOU. In fact, I’ve given gifts of “tickets” to be redeemed by the recipient “as needed,” and I can be called upon throughout the year to perform the task on the particular ticket.
Stall mucking knows no season — and no day off ;o) — but straightening out the hay barn can be just as important as cleaning the tack room. Hay pallets need cleaning out regularly, too, and I don’t know about everyone else, but I am never satisfied with how my hay barn is organized.
A really super gift is to take care of someone’s horse trailer checkup — maintenance on things like wheel bearings, brakes, tires, floor boards, lights, fuses, etc., checked over and fixed or replaced. Too many times we just hook up and go, not thinking about when was the last time you had the wheels or tires looked at.
We don’t have to spend great amounts of money to give gifts to friends and loved ones. It IS the thought that counts, and if we think about what gift would be suitable for each person on our list, it’s possible to find the perfect item, often right under our nose — or our feet ;o)
OT: If you’re in Texas, help find this horse!
http://forums.arabianbreeders.net/topic/31912-stolen-horse-1988-chestnut-nsh-with-star-and-strip-texas/page__gopid__371494&#entry371494
In past years when I ws short on cash I have made home-made horse-cookies (something every horse lover and their horse appreciates) and halter-fuzzies for my barn kids. Halter fuzzies are easy to make, just buy some colorful fleece, cut to appropriately sized rectangles and stitch on some velcro. Since it’s fleece you don’t have to worry about hemming edges, they’re washable, and you can make them in your friend’s favorite colors!
The best horsey christmas gift I ever got would be a tie between the leather show halter with my horse’s name on a brass plate and my western show saddle (which I ended up replacing to find something that actually fit my horse, but the sight of a saddle under the tree meant a lot). Both gifts came from my parents, who normally want nothing to do with horses!
I really wanted to give those horse shoe orniments to my boarders this year but, again, living in CANADA seems to be like living in Afghanistan, no one wants to send stuff here!
Oh well.
My dear friend has acquired her first HORSE this year, he’s LOVELY!!! Bred to the nines and broke, ready to show. (I swong a hell of a deal for her), but aside from that being her x-mas and b-day present for the rest of her life, I like to give a gift that helps the pair of them along. She doesn’t have tack that fits him, or blankets, so I go on line and find things for a deal, and go through my tack room and clean out all my hand me downs to her. The little things can go a looooong way, when you know the right ones to get. Things that I’ve found hugely useful and dirt cheep (doller store sponges and buckets, containers with lids…) get a bow and a tag and are always greatly appreciated.
As far as x-mas presents go, I like to be prepared! Here’s what I recommend:
Doller store (love it) – pick up about a half dozen wine-size gift bags. Grab a half dozen big coffee mugs (nice ones…) and then grab some baggies and fill with good hot chocolate (or the individual bags of flavored stuff mmmm). Ta da! Ready made gift for $2.50 – $3.00 each! Also good to add some home made baking, some avon bath gel and a shower poofey, scented hand sanitizers… I always have some on hand for unexpected birthdays, holidays, thank yous or people who bring you a gift that you weren’t expecting! I hate being caught off guard!
I’m getting my farrier a gas card with some homemade cookies this year. He’s great, and I always try to get him something.
I can’t imagine ANYONE who would not love a gas card, with prices they way they are! That’s a great gift.
This might seem a bit silly, but the best horsey present I’ve ever received was a horseshoe from my sister. We were young–I was maybe eleven, she was ten–and she asked my riding instructor for an old horseshoe. She then spent a LONG time polishing it up until it was bright and shiny and new looking again, and thread a ribbon through it so I could hang it on the wall for luck. It didn’t cost her anything but time, but I absolutely loved it. I have it hanging on the wall in my apartment next to the door now, and I think of my sister, the time and thought she put into such a great present, and horses everytime I see it. It was a great present.
The best equine gift I’ve ever recieved, I got this year. I compete in NATRC competitive trail rides, and for 2009 I wanted to win my regional championship. I got about halfway through the year and ran out of funding, and had to call it quits. This was right before my wedding anniversary.
For our anniversary, my husband volunteered to work overtime to pay for the rest of the competitions I wanted to attend. He worked every saturday and some sundays for several months straight! But, I completed 8 rides and won my regional championship!
It really got to me that he loves me enough to work so much so that I can go play. He’s not a horseperson, but he’s supportive. He’s such a goo dguy, and I’m lucky to have him.
This year I’m hoping to get a hot water heater for my tack room for Christmas… I have to soak alfalfa pellets in hot water before feeding and I am so tired of lugging buckets of hot water out to the barn every day.
Melissa
Melissa, seriously consider a hot water on demand “European” style instead of a traditional tank hot water heater . We have a tank and the annoying electric bill is small but every month of 18$ or 12$ in say August is a pain. I wish I had looked into the other kind.
My best horsey gift was money to buy a horse and saddle from my husband. First he gave me a Breyer. Nice, I thought. Then a horse shaped pinata. Cute. “You have to open it.” he said. Sigh. Jewelry, I thought. Instead there were two checks. One marked “horse” the other “saddle”. A city kid, both checks were in the category of starter grants rather than enough to actually buy a horse and saddle, but the thought really helped heal all those Christmases with no pony under the tree!! The best kind of friend, he lets me adopt cats tossed out at roadside, dogs that wander up our drive, and yes, he bought me another horse for my 52 birthday!
The problem with tankless is, they require a stronger electric connection- which I don’t have in my barn. I have to stick with something that will run off a standard 120v power supply. I’m looking at a very small heater, there’s a 6-gallon one that would work. I am also researching using a timer on it- I’m not sure what would use more electricity- heating 6 gallons of water up 1x per day or keeping 6 gallons of water hot 24/7. Durng the summer months I don’t need hot water for feeding (I use the hot water to soak alfalfa cubes which I don’t give in summertime), so I will just turn the breaker off to it. If I want to use it for bathing I can just turn it on then back off after- I figure 6 gallons should be enough to take the edge off my well water for bathing. I don’t want to make the water human bath temp- I just want it to be not icy cold!
Schneider’s has an instant hot water (adjustable thermostat) that runs off a 20# propane tank. Go to sstack.com and on the home page see the Insta Hot Portable Washing System, $150. I’m certainly debating getting something like that.
PNW’ers…two registered Appaloosas WITH PAPERS need a home by the weekend…this is a pretty darn good looking horse!
That one is a gelding. This is a filly.
These are in the Olympia, Washington area. E-mail info@scattercreekstables.com if interested – that’s the barn they’re at, not the owner’s contact. It’s a financial situation, they need new homes now.
I dont normally do this because there are so many in my area – but this little mare just seems like she needs a chance. She’s only 7 & such a pretty dappled bay. They’re asking 175. Oh.. and she might be in foal
*sigh* Tulsa http://www.4acrefarm.com/for_sale
Sure looks pregnant to me
Poor thing, I sure hope she gets a good home.
Although it wasn’t for Christmas the best horsey gift I ever got was a horse. I had been working my butt off at a stable and had fallen in love with a palamino gelding out there. So for my birthday I got to the barn to do morning chores and there was a big thick envelope sitting on the table. I opened it up and it was signed AQHA transfer papers for said palamino gelding. By far the best gift ever! The owner went on and on in the card about how I had trusted me with his “ranch” and had in turn become a valued employee and friend and that now i had my very own peice of the ranch. So of course I cried my eyes out then ran over to my horse and cried even more. It only took 23 years of asking at every birthday/christmas for a horse for it to finally happen!
Last minute shopper. Bah-Humbug because Christmas has gotten all about the gifts and shopping, etc., etc……I think I’ll donate money somewhere based on family/friends interests. Who needs more “stuff” anyways? I don’t, that’s for sure!
OFF TOPIC: Sooooo, I get my January 2010 edition of Horse Illustrated and start browsing through it and see an article by a person who’s name is very familiar?………..CONGRATS!!!!!
I actually got that design on a t-shirt for my MIL…she is the best and teaching all the horses to mug you for a carrot or apple! She LOVED it!
One of the best gifts I gave was a couple of years ago to a gal I sold a colt to. She had a couple of other horses and I wanted to tell her thank you for giving my colt such a good home. I have a friend that runs a stitchery business and asked if she could do some custom stitching on some hand towels. Hand towels are a necessity for any show box imo, my daughter would be lost without hers(she got a personalized towel too). I had her put a horsey picture in the color of each of the horses and added their registered and barn names to them. I made sure to get the towels in the colors she used for her horses. She liked them so much she got them for her horsey friends the following year. In fact that pics of the towels on the website were hers. The towels were not that expensive, and they are so useful! Here is a link to the website where I got mine. She also has personalized hay bags, saddle bags, etc…and they are the nicest people to work with! They do a lot for the local horse clubs and the barrel racing association, too.
http://www.ctcreativestitchery.com/horseaccessories.html
I can recommend a couple of other books about horses, too, including The Circle of Trust — Reflections on the Essence of Horses and Horsemanship by Walter Zettl. He partnered with Parelli, sadly, but I think Pat was just looking for someone with whom to associate since the other people he has credited for giving him advice have all passed away. I don’t fault Walter Zettl for his association. He is a lovely man, one of the “true Riding Masters.” While his basis is dressage (which really just means “training”), it is a very nice compilation of his thoughts on everyone involved with the horse, from breeder through the “circle” to judge.
Frogzdogs, thanks for breaking my heart today. I was having a great day – thanks for ruining it with facts about how stupid and ignorant people really are and how other stupid ignorant people don’t f’ing get it. :*( 2012 won’t be here soon enough! (not that I think it will be the actual end of the world but one can hope!)
Anyway, I have an awesome whoopee pie recipe that I make with some cookies and share every year. My trainer has the $1 wal mart stockings hung on her horse stalls. I figure she was #7 on the Developing horse list with her horse in 2009, she can have a nicer stocking so I made her a really nice one. I made a huge order from Dover Saddlery and spend a whopping $9 on tack hangers (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-30115&ids=111707623) so she can stop tying her lunge lines up.
I’ve been with her five years in January and with the exception of one year (I think) I have gone down and cleaned stalls for her so she and her husband can spend time together with their son on Christmas. Keeps me away from the in-laws, in the barn and it’s a good workout for me.
I know this isn’t Christmas wish list time but frankly I’m still waiting for the best present ever. ((Sigh.))
As I’m the one who usually does all of the thoughtful shopping for perfect gifts for others including four-legged friends and family, I’m bravely, brazenly selfishly putting it out there that the best present ever for me would be to get a pair of miniature donkeys!
Other GREAT books for newbie (or even experienced) horse owners are the United States Pony Club manuals…pretty comprehensive info on all aspects of horsemanship, from rider safety, nutrition, farrier/vet care, trailering, training, pasture and stable safety, etc. You can find them on amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_3_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=uspc+manual+of+horsemanship&sprefix=uspc+manua
The best horsey christmas I had was last year. I had just spent 80 dollars on a beat up, old all-around english saddle. I had no english bridle, boots, pad, or proper helmet (my current one was an embarassment). On christams morning, my mom and dad gave me all the necessites of english apparel and the other items listed above. I’m still learning english, and it’s hard moving away from my western roots, but I know Cinco appreciates the lighter saddle! That, and the first christmas I got riding lessons and my first breyers are my favorites!
Hey Samsgirl,
Make the ornaments yourself….especially if you have kids. You guys will have a blast. Me and my bridesmaids made them for my wedding (i got married on horseback.) We decorated them with roses, metal beads, pearls, and red ribbon. It was alot of fun.
Thanks Nikki! If any of my horses were shod, it would be simple lol but I guess next time I’m at the feed store I’ll pick some up. Can’t do it with the kid yet, she’s only 8 months haha. Great suggestion though, thanks so much! Happy holidays
Apropos of nothing, has anybody ever seen the product of a mating between a European warmblood breed (one of those descended from German/Prussian military remounts) and an old-style pony breed that still has a wild look about it? Like, Konik/Hanoverian or something? I’m trying to visualize it and not having much luck.
There’s no way to visualize such a thing — the genetics are such a super-cold outcross that you could get just about anything.
Angel Acres is local to me… I’d love to adopt one of their horses, but I’m in absolutely no shape, physically or financially, to care for a horse. My turtle, fish, and hamster are enough for now. (… *sigh*)
Does anyone have any recipes for horse cookies? My Cookie Bible has them for dogs, but nothing for horses, and I’d love to know a nice recipe. There’s a stable right up the road from me that I used to go help out at (though I haven’t been able to go for a few months), and I’d like to make some treats for the horses there. I don’t want them to think I’ve forgotten about them.
Snowhawk, I received 11 pages of horse treat recipes a few years ago and would be glad to send them to you. I have MS Office Word 2003 and could attach them to an e-mail or just copy/paste if you’d prefer. E-mail me at horsenwriter@aol.com.
Gooddog_Baddog, that cookie tree is adorable ;o)
THS, give that Rottie some kisses for me. I had two that I lost several years ago, and I miss them ;o) Your husband sounds like a prince, too. ;o)
For Secret Santa this year, we’re donating to charities in the name of our giftee. We are given the names of three charities, and we pick one. I picked Days’ End Farm Horse Rescue, TB Friends, and another rescue in PA whose name I cannot think of at the moment.
A friend just dropped off a stocking to hang on my rescued draftie’s stall. I am supposed to tell everyone he started out as a mini but then the Stocking Thing happened: the stocking says, “dear Santa, Please SuperSize me.”
Just donate to Angel Acres and forego the decorated shoe. They are great at rescuing and should stick to that. I’ll just go get my friend something else – great idea but the execution is not worth their trouble or mine.
I want to know how to make a carrot wreath for my horse and all the others at the barn…anyone know how? I could’ve sworn someone on here said they’ve made them before. I’m pretty creative so I bet I could come up with it, but just thought I’d ask. I make doggy Christmas trees and I’d like to do something for the horses too. I’m already giving them each a stocking filled with yummy treats such as candy canes, apples, granola bars, carrots, but I’d like to do something different.
here’s a pic of the doggy Christmas trees I make (hope it works)
I’m going to make a wire base, then buy carrots with the tops on and tie them on with long strands of grass. I’ll have to wire the bases to the barn doors to they don’t get messed with.
Here’s one I Googled: http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/horse-carrot-wreath.aspx
You can get carrots with the tops still on them and braid them. You can also weave more into it with one of those rope splicers. good luck!
Last year I convinced my family that it was stupid to trade gift cards and identical boxes of See’s Candy, so we pitched in and gave the money to Joe at TBFriends.
We will be doing the same this year (no need for this to be a surprise). I’m hoping to take the money out sometime this weekend, depends on the rain and I need to call.
There are some great ideas on here! Thanks, everyone!
Here’s a horse cookie recipe. Honestly, if you added some flour and some more sugar, they’d be delish for humans, too! These don’t come out firm, they do fall apart, but they really are awesome treats.
1 c oatmeal
1 c flour
1 c shredded carrots
1 T salt
1 T sugar
2 T vegetable oil
1/4 c molasses
1/4 c water
Mix ingredients. Roll into 1/5 inch balls and place on cookie sheet and flatten. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Best horsey gift I ever got were those plastic muck duck shoes that STL used to sell in their stores. My mom bought them for me because she figured I could use them, and she’s not a horse person. They are perfect for here in AZ because we need some sturdy plastic shoes for rainy days but we don’t really need wellies.
Oh and this year I got my soulmate horse back after 4-5 years of being separated. It was my b-day present from my hubby.
Here are some books that I really enjoy that make great gifts. You can buy at a used book store to not only save money but also to help the environment.
Chosen by a Horse – Susan Richards
Beautiful Jim Key – Mim E. Rivas
Where the Blind Horse Sings – Kathy Stevens
The two Chicken Soup For the Horse Lover’s Soul books
Hope Rising and Bridge Called Hope – Kim Meeder
Hold Your Horses – Bonnie Timmons
I also once got a plastic basket from the 99 cent store full of this stuff as a thank you from a friend, all in my favorite color (purple).
Baby wipes
Rope halter
Metal hoof pick with etching on it
Velcro reflective straps that go around a horse’s ankles for night riding
Small plastic curry comb
Small soft face brush
Also, I like to come up with things that people don’t think of for themselves when they ride. One is a nighttime trail riding pack. Here in AZ, it’s way too hot in the summer to ride during the day, so many people do moonlight rides. Here’s what we usually need.
Velcro reflective straps that go around a horse’s ankles
White Christmas lights that run on a battery to put around a horse’s neck
Small flashlight
White or light colored T-shirts
Reflective bridle attachments
Backup batteries
Also, Chick’s Saddlery is having a $5.99 and under sale on their website–great stocking stuffers or prizes for holiday parties at the stables.
That hispanic guy? the one who is up at the crack of dawn who feeds, mucks and fixes? He gets a $100 in appreciation money from me every christmas.
And is he ever grateful.
The best horseie gift I ever recieved for Christmas was the year I lost my Jumper who was the love of my life, my husband made the most beautiful scrapbook and wrote some wonderful poems about him and got copies of all my photos of him without me knowing it and put it together himself. The tough-guy even braved Jo-Anns Craft store to do it.
But I just got in a new Christmas present, a little bay rescue pony colt last night. And my 18mo Rottweiler puppy has decided he loves him the mostest… He is pretty convinced that Santa gave him his own pony for Christmas. He keeps running down to the barn to check on him and give him kisses… just adorable.
OT, but I just saw on my local news that a local shelter/rescue is in danger of foreclosure. The report states that they care for 23 horses, along with cats, dogs, etc. I know nothing about this organization except that it is local.
Here is the news story:
http://www.kcra.com/money/21926155/detail.html
And a link to their website:
http://www.achanceforbliss.com/adopt1.html
I hate to be snarky but I watched the video and it actually says that while their income was failing to pay the bills they kept taking in more animals. They also admit to not having a plan to deal with the situation. I would have thought if your income wasn’t covering the bills you would STOP taking in more animals? Maybe even find homes for some of the ones you already have? And 73 animals is a heck of a lot of critters for anyone to care for and support financially. Let alone big expensive animals like 23 horses.
The video also says they have raised $48,000 of the $65, 000 they need to pay the mortgage this month, leaving $17,000 still to raise but my goodness, what happens NEXT month?
I lived and worked in Loomis CA for years, now live in GA thanks to the US Army, but this sanctuary is in the next town over from Loomis. I’ve heard some about this rescue, and I know their intentions are good. But like you said, what about next month, and the next month, etc… The news story says that many of their dogs are on the verge of death….I guess I don’t understand why they don’t just humanely euthanize them. The animals they take in are the “rejects” the ones that no one else will want…the blind, the deaf, missing limbs, etc… There is no reason they can’t live a long life, but if they are on the verge of death??? Just let the poor things go, especially if you can’t afford to continue their care!! I just don’t get it.
I thought that was extremely odd also. If my morgage was $65,000 per month I’d welcome a foreclosure!! I’m assuming they are in some serious financial trouble and are paying off thier morgage. But, I also think that if you adopted the animals out, you’d have one less mouth to feed, and hence more money in your pocket for paying things like, oh, a roof over your head…kinda sounds like hoarding to me. I can’t imaging living in a house with 20 dogs…and I have 4 horses and one dog…PLENTY to occupy my time..and then some!! I’m sure doggie diapers can’t be cheap. I swear some people just keep digging holes for themselves…
When we had our boarding facility, all the horses got stockings filled with treats on their stalls. For myself for Christmas, my girls usually think of some horse-related surprise for me, and once in a while, my husband even gets involved with finding the perfect gift. If anyone’s looking for some last minute gifts for yourself or your horsey friends, I have an e-bay store, and sell polo wraps, bit warmers, and other items. Check out my store…http://stores.ebay.com/EquiJEM?_rdc=1
Another web site that has good gifts (and good quality) is http://www.longriders.com . They have some decent stocking stuffers too. Mostly geared for the trail, competitive trail, and endurance rider/horse. I absolutely loved the Toasty Soles inserts I got last year. It was the first time my feet didn’t freeze in the rubber boots. They also carry hand warmers, gloves, quarter sheets, ect.
Hope everyone has a safe weekend with these storms coming through.
Do you mean http://www.longridersgear.com ? They carry the brand of saddle pad I prefer, Skito, although the Long Riders site only carries the endurance types. I did some heat testing for Skito several years ago with their dry top (dry back?) pad and was impressed with how the heat was wicked away from my horse. My first Skito was a Christmas gift from my mom and I still use it 10 years later! I have replaced the foams in it once and now own about 10 of their pads so the abuse is spread out.
So this is a bit of a personal plug, but it you’re looking for cute carousel ornaments that come in specific reasonably accurate breeds, check out my Etsy shop!
I made them as gifts for friends and family last year, and everyone loved them, so I decided to offer them to others. I took Breyer Stablemate models (the little ones) and drilled them to add the brass carousel pole, then decorated them with holiday ribbons and bows. There are also more classic floral themed carousel horses. They make great unique holiday gifts!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thelonehick
Totally OT but……The Dumba**, uhm I mean Dean thing reminded me. What ever happened to that rescue whos chat forum was hacked and then everyone ran a muck?? I cant remember the name of the chick running it but it was that trashy blond who was in cahoots with PSA Dean(Photo Shopped A**). Are they still “rescuing” or boarding or anything dealing with the public and horses? Im just curiuos, havent heard anything in a while and it would be a great gift to be able to hack into a new forum and play, LOL!!
PS I dont have the knowledge to do that sort of thing so I’d have to be a follower
The best horse gift ever was probably years ago, I needed a dressage saddle. I’d been struggling with my chair seat in an all-purpose and the time had come. Without my knowledge, my husband spoke with my trainer about the kind, size, tree width and fittings. Then he got my mom, dad and his parents to go in on it with him. He sent me on the craziest scavenger hunt Christmas morning which ended, so I thought, with a ring box. Secretly my heart sank, I thought, “He knows I don’t like jewlery, what was he thinking?” But inside was yet another clue which led me to my new saddle, with all the fittings. It wasn’t just the gift, which was awesome, but the thought and planning he put into it. That saddle to this day remains somewhat magical, as it broke in instantly, is incredibly comfortable and fits nearly every horse.
OT: You know you are breeding too many horses when you have 1 – 4 year olds (appear to be decent, well bred) quarter horses going for $400/ea. What’ya wanna bet they are still breeding the mares too…..(sigh)…………
http://boise.craigslist.org/grd/1504943929.html
That’s too bad but I sure like the big bay foal! They look like great resale prospects. That or they have one cull foal for $400 and the rest are $4,000
Nobody picked up on my comment earlier, so I’ll say it plainly:
EVERYONE–Check out the January 2010 issue of Horse Illustrated. It includes an article by CATHY (FHOTD)!
I have that on my list of things to buy today ;o)
It’s been mentioned in the past two days, so I think everybody knows about it.
Hint: If you want to read my columns, subscribe.
It’s not a one time thing.
For decades I’ve gotten “horse-related” items from family members who mean well do not have a clue about horses, so I never got useful gifts… instead I got Things With Horses Pictured On Them.
You know those ‘collectible’ plates with the paintings on ‘em? Every birthday, christmas, I got them, along with reminders about how they would be so valuable in the future. I had stacks of them. Finally got rid of most of them at a tag sale.
Also many many T-shirts and sweatshirts with cheesy pictures of horses on them (“Three Wolves” style)
Home decor items like wooden signs saying things like “Home is Where the Hooves Are” and such…
I never understood it. I mean, my cousins owned a cockatiel, but I never once passed a t-shirt with a bird on it and thought “They’ll Love It!” (But maybe I’m wrong about that….)
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I have so many hideous (fugly) horse statues from well meaning relatives. Just because I like Breyer horses doesn’t mean I like the knockoff-made-in-China! I have to drive the fugly statues to other towns so I don’t risk them being seen in the local Good Will or Habitat for Humanity stores! Seeing one of the fugly might not tip the MIL off but the whole herd might! Luckily I have many true horse people in my family so get lots of useful things as well.
I did see a shirt somewhere that says “Horse’s are God’s Apology for Men.” I liked that one!
I just ordered several of these for all the single women at the barn who, for some reason, really do think they want to marry again! LOL
Has anybody ever tried to take a cast of their horse’s hoofprint with plaster of paris? Like kids do of their handprints. I’m thinking of trying that or taking a “stamp” of it with paint and having her step on a piece of whiteboard…I’ve taken many pawprint stamps, framed them along with a really good picture and given them as gifts…thinking I could try with the horses…
Click on the orange carrot trainer sweatshirt above and read about how the gal got the “horses leave hoofprints on your heart” hoofprint design. She used silly putty or something. You might be able to get a “cast” of the hoofprint and then use it as the model to make plaster of paris models. Just a thought.
I bought myself a horse for Christmas. Best gift EVER! And the right horse! My dad (not a horse guy) always buys the ‘kids’ a bag full of carrots and apples. But I certainly have a closet full of weird horse gifts from well meaning friends. I’m still not sure what to do with that sparkly western shirt!
I always give farrier, massage therapist and barn help cash, never the wrong size. I always make stockings for the horses and fill them with carrots. This year I bought several friends ‘memory boxes’ (from Hoofprints, thanks Cathy) to store the little memento from their recently deceased horses. And I generally send Christmas cards with cash to random horse charities. Sometimes I’m right, sometimes I’m wrong (about the charities) but hey… karma works both ways!
If anyone is looking for books for horsey kids, I can’t recommend War Horse by Michael Morpurgo highly enough. It is about a young man and his horse who get caught up in the First World War, and is told from the horse’s perspective. It is a beautiful beautiful story about finding compassion in the most unexpected of places. He is a wonderful children’s author in general, so as well as War Horse I would recommend The Ghost of Grania O’Malley, which is a really inspiring story about an incredibly brave young girl with cerebal palsy.
I bought 12 shoes from AngelAcres. They are beautiful, fun, and a great deal. Jo does a wonderful job with customer service and shipping too!
This year our family is volunteering at a local stable where we have ridden in the past. The owner has been hit hard by the economy and we want to show our love.
My daughters and I have talked alot about how much horses enrich our lives – and not just the horses we love – but the people we come into contact through our shared passion. I am continuously amazed and grateful for how their equine relationships have kept my girls grounded and heart-centered. I’m sure that many of you know just what I mean.
My tween & teens would still rather be in the stalls than at the malls and as much as I may grumble about the piles of muddy clothes I heave through daily in my laundry room, and all the $$$ I spend each month on feed and horse care (WAY more than I’d dream of spending on myself!) I am eternally grateful that my girls are learning so much about life and death and relationships and the value of hard work and the spirit of giving. They happily forego much of the commercial trappings in order to afford the way of life that includes the animals they love so uch. They don’t own video games or watch much tv – they fall into bed tired each night and wake early for barn chores each day before school. Who knows how long it will last, but I’m aware that foundations are being set right now. They are growing into young women with confidence and strength and passion.
Hormones are bound to win out eventually and I’m sure the day will soon arrive when the boys start coming around. But hey, dad is ready with his bb gun and porch swing! (kidding! sort of.)
~DD
one of these years…
ps I’d love an indoor arena for Christmas!