The Best Gifts for Horse Girls, According to an Actual Horse Girl

Actualhorsethings

Every barn I’ve ever been in has a whiteboard that tracks who’s doing what with which horses when. Accordingly, I’ve traded in my dayplanner,wall calendar, and shared Gcal for writing out my day freehand each morning. Taking five to ten minutes makes things seem more manageable and lets me create buy-in on my scheduling musts (barn time!). This magnet version from the Container Store lets you hang up checks, outgoing mail, and other analog reminders.

Tattinibootsall have an elegant, contoured styling that I not only appreciate the look of but the feel of in stirrups. Unlike some paddock boots that can feel clunky to ride in, these let me be more precise in my lower leg without cramping my toes. I’veworn them on ten-plus-hour daysfor riding, mucking, throwing hay around, and standing in the ring, and while I don’t know the secret behind the patented “air boost” technology, I can vouch for the fact they are extremely comfortable. Plus, they’re only my third pair of paddock boots since my feet stopped growing, which is a testament to their hardiness.

I’m not sure what non-horse people do without muck buckets. In a barn, they function as step stools, recyclingbins, drinkcoolers,laundry baskets, and tie-dye baths: You name it, I’ve done it. If this 40-quart size won’t work for your space, tryits flexible cousin(the only downside is you can’t stand on it).

Clean, dry, oiled leather lasts longer, so even in the months I don’t ride, I’m still looking after myboots, bridles, and saddles, some of which are over 20 years old and in perfect working order. The Effax line is my go-to, and I use it on many of my non-horse leather products as well. Many leather cleaners have a strong odor that ranges from what you think acowboy’s truck might smell like to living next to a tannery — the Effax scent, in contrast, is unobtrusive, and the products don’t leave behind any residue.

Apparel

A playful andstylish hatlike this one is excellent for hiding post-ride helmet hair, letting everyone know where all your money goes and that, yes, those are real spurs on your boots.

I had horsesheets, horsepillowcases, a big horse poster on my wall, and even kept my saddle in my childhood bedroom. These keep the vibe going in a way my non-horsey husband can abide.

I’m partial to anything inherringbone and cognacfrom textile designer Emily Factor’s beautiful line of saddle pads, polo wraps, boots, and fly bonnets. If you aren’t sure what color will look best on their horse, this waxed-canvascoolerbag is a less specific but no less great gift.

Wild rags are traditionally worn around your neck to protect it and your décolletage fromsun, wind,rain, and dust. This silk version from Kit Santa Fe started out as a functional piece, but now I wear it around town more often than I wear it in the barn, including in my hair or on the strap of a tote bag. They’ve become go-to gifts for all myfriends, regardless of their horse-girl status.

Exactly what 8-year-old you hopes 38-year-old you is wearing. A perfectstocking stufferfor those (still) dreaming of their first pony.

Stablewest inSanta Fehas a thoughtfully curated art collection that spans fine to wearable, including thiscrewneckwith its motto of “Champion the horse” splashed down the arm. Mom, get this for me this year!

I came across One of These Days on Instagram via a cowboy artist I follow and instantly fell in love with the mythical western vibe. A lot of its stuff is pretty pricey, but thesesocksare within mygift budgetand the right amount of unique. Plus, thecowboyson your list might even like them.

Made in England and featuring a scene straight out of a British novel, this moisture-wicking, antimicrobial bamboo top is a saucy ode to the pleasures of galloping cross-country — or curling up by the fire and bingeingBridgerton. If a shirt is too bold, the brand makes acosmetics casein the same print for $17.

Wrinkle-freeUPF protectionis a great wardrobe addition for everyone, and actual horse girls will appreciate the quality and wearability of Aisling’s products.

Home

I remember my first Breyer: a hand-me-down palomino I named Sugar. Breyers have become quite the collector’s items since my childhood, but the commercially available models, like the one in thistoyandbookset, remain excellentgifts for the youngand young at heart. A word to the wise: Models with all four hooves on the ground make the best toys, especially for younger kids.

This is my go-togift for new parentsbecause the candles can dress up any food and become part of a family birthday tradition. My mother had a set of 12, and I remember the daunting task of picking out which ones I wanted; the circus horse always made the cut.

Candlesare always nice gifts, and a horse shape is a fun departure from cylindrical monotony.

One of my horse mentors would say, “Horses are poetry in motion,” and these delicate but functional ceramic pieces capture that perfectly for me. My favorite is thetonic cup, which is just the right size for anespresso.

Most people with horses have theirphonesinside some equivalent of Fort Knox for good reason: I once had my horse knock my phone to the ground, then paw at it for good measure. While this case will not protect against that, it’s a cute way to dress up your device when it isn’t at risk of getting stomped on. And if you aren’t around horses enough to warrant a more protective case, it’s a nice way to have some more (figurative) whinnies in your day.

Books

Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (yes, that one) grew up on a cattle ranch on the Arizona–New Mexico border.Lazy Bis the story of her childhood running around on horseback and how it shaped her career in the courtroom. I first read it inseventh gradeand come back to it from time to time as a reminder that life is nonlinear and horses are the most important part.

“Pure trash. So good. You will love. Will only take one bath” is the text that accompanied this recommendation from my best horsegirlfriend. With the current heaviness of the world, I’m stocking more and more easy reads for myself and as gifts. Absolutelygiving this to my momthis year.

I have about five different horse-breed and discipline encyclopedias, and this one lives on an end table in my living room.Guestsyoung and old are mesmerized by the photographs and details about well- and lesser-known breeds.

Ever since I went on a mother-daughter horsetripto Iceland, I’ve been devouring all things Icelandic horse. The author is a scholar of Icelandic literature and culture, so you’ll learn something in addition to dreaming about your own tolting vacation. Horse-girldadswill even appreciate the history in this one.