Gift for barn rats/teenaged working students?

[puzzle]

I know it’s a bit after christmas, but I know several girls who are going through transitions that really feel like a gift type occasion (incredibly talented working student getting her first horse after years and years of catch rides and free leases, barn rat got a pony, another barn rat got past a very very scary health incident).

As I tend to go with inexpensive/functional/comfortable for myself, I don’t really know what these girls would like (which is silly as I’m only about 10 years older than the youngest of them)… beyond trophy hunter breeches or good boots, I really don’t spend much on ‘nice’ riding stuff for myself. So, if you were between the ages of 12-18, really into riding, and may or may not have a horse of your own - what would you want as a gift, besides money/giftcards?

[mountainhorse]

Honestly, a gift card for Dover or other horse related store is a great idea, unless you know of something they need, like a halter, halter and nameplate with new horse’s and owner’s name, brush set, etc. I received a lovely leather halter with brass nameplate (my and my horse’s name on it), as a gift from a boarder years and years ago when I was a working student. I needed a new halter, and the lovely nameplate added a special touch. Functional + lovely “non necessary” things = perfection for a hard working, working student.
(The horse has since passed away, but I still treasure the halter fondly as a memory of the horse, and the time spent as a working student).

Edited to add- They will love anything you give them that has been gifted with thought, and they will treasure that they were thought of so kindly. A lovely written card that notes their accomplishments will also be a treasure and instill confidence.

[Ready_To_Riot]

Socks! I’m in love with noble outfitter boot socks. $10-15 a pair really pushes my budget for socks. Lol they are all I wanted for Christmas. I got none.

Maybe nice spur straps? If they own their own horses, my vote is for a nice halter with a name plate. They can be very pricey though. As well as a nice grooming set or just one very nice brush (my $40 haas brush comes to mind). Or you could get one of those really cute padded leather bracelets with their horses name on it.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/padded-lthr-nameplate-bracelet/p/X1-32340/

I had one for a couple of years and loved it. Never took it off… Sadly it got too worn and finally broke a couple months ago.

You’re so sweet for wanting to get them something during life changing moments!

[event_ryder]

I bought a student that was the most incredible “barn rat” all summer a saddle pad with the barn logo and her initials on it. What about a photography session with their horse? That was an idea I had played with until I found out her dads a photographer- and has an incredible eye already for taking horse/rider pictures!

[julipido]

My 18 year old barn rat loves:

1. T-shirts/sweatshirts from either sporthorselifestyle.com or 20x60.com (the “I need” t-shirt is a classic)
2. Socks (preferably from stores mentioned here)
3. Saddle pads - so many options on this idea
4. Both equestrilifestyle.com and/or geegeeequine.com have great socks, jewelry, accessories, etc.
5. Lush bath bombs for soaking after a particularly long or difficult day

A halter would make a very nice gift, but expensive. If a pony that the child might outgrow quickly, consider inscribing nameplate “Loved by LittleBarnRat” instead of the pony’s name. Most barn rats do have a million brushes (or at least mine does).

[BITSA]

Saddle pads with the barn logo and the girls initials on each; or vests with the barn log (or hoodies).

[BITSA]

Something from swanky saddle or Personally Preppy

[BITSA]

Higher Standards tack cleaner in lavender vanilla!:yes:

[Ears]

Shop Hunt Club is also pretty popular for belts/shirts/bridle charms.

[Soaponarope]

All the girls at DD’s barn seem to adore these leather nameplate bracelets with colored piping:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/padded-lthr-nameplate-bracelet/p/X1-32340/?ids=zmbhdh12m302xzdfyxkitryx

They also seem to love the little monograms that go on the back of their helmets. I guess those are from Personally Preppy or Swanky Saddle?

[Calin]

If it was me, I’d love to get one of those little things that I never get around to buying. eg. flyveil, halter, bell boots etc (all of which I have, but they’re getting old and worn out). It depends on your budget, of course, but if you know of something they’ve been wanting to get for a while that would show a lot of thought. Otherwise, for something more memorable, I agree that an engraved halter or bracelet would be lovely

[rollback]

How about an engraved brush or brush set from saucy piaffe? I have a brush from them I received as a thank you gift for loaning my horse to an IHSA show and it really is lovely!

[french_fry]

100% a saddle pad, vest, jacket, or whatever else embroidered the barn logo and/or her initials.

[JustTheTicket]

You could do a monogrammed fly mask, or anything monogrammed really- saddle pads, belts, bridle tags.

[toxicity]

Framed photo
Fleece lined bridle bag
Nice tack cleaning products
Nameplate bracelet
Warm headband (love these so I can have my hair up)
Gloves

[OnDeck]

Are you in a cold area? You might be looking for something a little more personal, but a big box of toe warmers is a very useful present.

[Mia_Sorella]

[QUOTE=french fry;8470444]
100% a saddle pad, vest, jacket, or whatever else embroidered the barn logo and/or her initials.[/QUOTE]

As a former barn rat, it really meant a lot to me to receive one of the barn shirts with my name on it. I still wear it 10 years later, along with other barn wear that was gifted to me.

[IPEsq]

When I was around 17-18 I used to ask to flat whatever I could get on at shows either for owners who weren’t there all week or horses the pro didn’t have enough time to get to. There was one green horse I ride a lot who was so heavy in the mouth and behind the leg. He was a challenge. He was doing pre greens and a lower ammy division. The pro asked me to get him in the ring one morning before the pre greens when I wasn’t showing and didn’t have my own to school. She complimented me on how nicely he went for her that day. I guess she told the owner when owner came on the weekend to show. At the end of the show, owner gave me a cute necklace from a local shop as a token of her appreciation for my working her horse. That gift really stood out to me, and I still have it. It was way better than some consumable barn item. I saw the horse the next summer, and he’d turned into a nice citizen for her in the A/Os.

[puzzle]

wow, amazing ideas everyone!!

[MorganJumper848]

I have done socks, riding gloves, and belts for christmas. I usually will give gift cards for working students that are helping out with extra things for me.