With the holidays right around the corner, you might find yourself scrambling to find the perfect gifts for the horse people on your list. Sure, you can go for that cutesy beanie with horses on it or the recycled barn wood picture frame to put their favorite horse photo in, but this year, why not go for a gift they could really use, something that can make those daily barn chores easier, provide critical education, or allow them ride with new connection? If any of these sound like the way you want to go, here are a few suggestions, with something to fit every budget:
The truly amazing Forever Fork lives up to its name.
One of our all-time favorite items for the barn is the Forever Fork, a truly amazing manure fork that in our experience lives up to its name. The Essential Horse first got one to test out in early 2021, and we’ve been using and abusing it ever since. Not only has it seen daily use for its intended purpose — cleaning up after the horses — we also use it to shovel snow and clear the magical paddock rocks that seem to spring forth anew every time we think we’ve gotten the last of them. Given that we used to buy manure forks six at a time and snap tines every month or so, the Forever Fork has proven to be more than worth its price (currently $49.95), saving us both money and ongoing frustration. Made in Sweden of some unique material, the fork feels just like a normal one in use, but if something gets jammed in the tines — like a rock, a chunk of ice or a winter poopsicle — the tines just flex instead of breaking. Not sure how this happens but I’ve witnessed it a thousand times and our Forever Fork is still going strong. Get one for your friends (and one for yourself) here: ForeverFork.com. You won’t regret it!
This nifty little add-on handle is a game changer for people who want to avoid back strain.
For those who have a bad back or for those who don’t want to develop back problems, the BackEZ add-on handle is a game-changer. This simple, easy to attach device can be put on any shovel or manure fork, making those back-straining horse chores a whole lot easier by improving the ergonomics of your tools. Great for snow shovels too, and they come in a fun choice of colors: red, blue, yellow and green. At the time of this writing, they are selling for $10.49 on Amazon.
Hay Chix hay nets are a great choice.
Hay nets have been exploding in popularity, and for good reason. One huge benefit is less wastage, as the net keeps the hay from being spread all over the place where it can be trampled on or worse. And, if the openings in the net are small enough, they can also slow your horse’s hay consumption, which is an important strategy in combatting the development of gastric ulcers and caring for horses needing more limited hay intake. In addition, slowing hay consumption can help mitigate boredom for horses not on pasture. The Essential Horse has tested quite a few, and one favorite is the Hay Chix hay nets, which come in sizes ranging from mini to round bale and everything in between. The nets are extremely durable and you can choose from several different hole sizes depending on how much you want to slow down your horse’s hay consumption. You can buy cheaper nets, but the quality of the materials and the construction of the Hay Chix nets makes them a better buy in the long run. Prices start at $30. Check them out at HayChix.com.
“A must-have for every horseman’s library.” – Master Farrier Gene Ovnicek
There is no truer saying in the horse world than “No hoof, no horse”. The problem is that many horse owners don’t really know enough about the equine hoof to ensure that they are doing everything possible to optimize their horse’s hoof health. Enter The Essential Hoof Book, which was specifically written to give horse owners an easy to understand yet in-depth resource to increase their knowledge of everything hoof related. This best-selling book has become the definitive guide understanding, assessing, and improving hoof health for horse owners the world over. With over 400 vivid, full-color photographs and expert guidance distilled from top hoof specialists, this practical resource bridges the gap between scientific insight and hands-on application. So whether you’re looking for a gift for a new horse owner or a seasoned equestrian, they will be forever grateful for The Essential Hoof Book. Available at HorseAndRiderBooks.com or from most major book retailers.
The gorgeous Edix ED2 Rose sidepull in black with brass fittings.
And last but definitely not least, if you want to give a wow-factor gift that will set a horse up to be ridden in both comfort and style, you’ll want to check out this stunning ergonomic sidepull bridle from EDIX Saddles of Holland. Gorgeously tooled and crafted from high-quality Argentine leather in either black or brown, the EDIX ED2 Rose collection bridles were thoughtfully designed to avoid putting pressure on sensitive nerves, bones and veins. For example, the uniquely split and padded crown piece not only allows you to fine tune how the bridle fits around your horse’s ears, it also prevents pressure from being applied to the C1 vertebra. And the jowl strap, which sits further forward than traditional throat latches, keeps the cheek pieces from riding up too close to the eyes and from putting pressure on the sensitive TMJ area.
The unique, ergonomic crown piece of the EDIX ED2 sidepull bridle.
During our test ride, which was conducted on a horse ridden regularly in a sidepull bridle, the rider reported that she felt a clearer connection in the EDIX bridle than in other side pulls she has used on her horse, allowing for more subtle communication and increased responsiveness. Her horse also gave us good information about the enhanced comfort of EDIX bridle, as he is both sensitive and expressive if something is irritating him, often repeatedly sneezing or shaking his head when a bridle is causing discomfort. In the EDIX bridle, he was quiet, light to the aids and softly forward, prompting the rider to say, “Wow, I think I’m going to have to get him one of these!”
If you want to get one of these fabulous bridles, either as a gift for someone else or perhaps for yourself, you will get excellent and expert service from Helga Grimsrud at Equine Karma, who can advise you on how to size and adjust your EDIX sidepull to ensure the best fit for your horse. And, while EDIX bridles and saddles come from Holland, Helga is right here in the USA, so no need to fret about figuring out tariffs and shipping, as she will take care of all of that for you. You can reach Helga through her website: EquineKarma.com.
Whatever you decide to give your horse owner friends, we at The Essential Horse want to wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your horses bring delight!