So my boss gave me $150 Dover gift certificate for Christmas. I know everyone is wondering what the problem is. Well here it is… I just had to euthanize my horse due to DSLD, I am not riding at all right now, although I have an option to ride a friend’s horse if I want to. The only thing that I might possibly need is winter tall boots. But as I am in KY, it’s not absolutely necessary. I might possibly need a new pair of full seats, but honestly I can’t think of a thing that I HAVE to have.
I suppose that I could donate it to an organization, or buy something for my dogs. Any ideas
Does it expire? Are you likely to get a new horse soon? A gift doesn’t need to go on necessities.
But I can see how you might not feel like buying horse stuff at all right after losing your own horse.
Put it in a safe place. Revisit in three months.
If you still don’t want horse stuff you can buy nice gifts for your horsey friends next Christmas.
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Dover let my former BO use the one she got from her family over a year after she got it and forgot about it.
Email Dover and tell them. They might let you return it f o r cash to pay on your vet bill
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Would you feel better if you donated it? I’m sure a local charity could use it.
I used one that was probably 20 years old that I’d forgotten about. The only issue I had was being at the store when someone who knew how to enter it was working as it was a printed certificate and not a card.
LetIBe
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If you think you’ll come back to riding in the future, I’d keep an eye out for big sales and buy what you think you’ll need in later when it’s cheap. I took a long break from riding and just slowly acquired heavily discounted show clothes/tack over about an 8 year period before starting to ride again. I ended up fully stocked to return to the show ring with new gear at probably a 60% discount (at least) off full retail prices.
It can be nice to patiently browse without the pressure to actually buy until you find a really great deal.
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I’m very sorry to hear about your horse.
There’s no hurry for you to decide about the GC, but since you mentioned charities I thought I’d throw out an idea. If you’re a TB fan, Old Friends mailed out their holiday newsletter with a wish list of items, especially blankets. And I’m sure that any rescue or sanctuary or therapeutic riding program that you might prefer would be thrilled to receive something like this.
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I’m so sorry about losing your horse. As far as the GC goes, don’t fret over using it now, save if for when you might have another horse (lease or own), or purchase items to donate to a rescue or therapeutic program, or use if for gifts for your friends.
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All good ideas! Thank you! I am only 20 minutes from the Dover Store in Cincinnati and I really like these boots, so maybe I’ll head that way after a short day at work today.
https://www.doversaddlery.com/cashel-side-zip-h20-reg/p/X1-381054/
Happy New Year !
I was eyeballing those boots yesterday - they’re something I would wear in the real world every day in the winter, too. They’re beautiful and not a bad price! And you’ll get a $100 gift card back (which doesn’t solve your initial problem, but maybe you could pass on to a good friend, trainer, or hardworking kid around the barn?)
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Sorry about your loss.
IMHO Dover is really only worth purchasing quality tack and riding apparel from (my local tack shop, Chick Saddlery, sells everything else horse-related for wayyy cheaper). I don’t believe that their gift cards expire so I would hang on to it until you do find yourself needing it. Don’t impulse buy things you don’t really need just to use it up.
Dover is always having really good sales like BOGO and buy-that-get-this-free, so if you do find yourself wanting to buy something chances are you can stretch your gift card further if you wait until the item is on sale.
1st. I am so so so sorry.
2nd. I’m in the same boat.
I have a certificate from 2018.
I have it tucked away safely.
I have just now begun to ride (occationally) after not sitting on anyone since my mare passed in May.
I can’t handle any horse related decisions.
Keep the cert tucked away. It will come in handy someday.
Sorry to both the OP and purplnurpl.
You could buy clothes - I like a lot of the equestrian clothing that is casual wear.
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I did buy a cool new jacket and a pair of gloves and some new full seats. Everything was half price. Awesomeness
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