I helped some guys at work with horsey wives, giving them suggestions. They said the wives LOVED getting the gifts. Mine were more in the practical area. Like stall mats, Wonder forks with replacable tines, metal trash cans for grain storage the varmints could not get into. Both helped make chores easier and quicker for the ladies. Cans kept things neat, mouse free. Husbands got lots of compliments on USEFUL gifts.
They didn’t need another saddle pad or cute item. Extra stall mats are so useful in many places besides the stall floor. Under a muddy gate, in front of the barn door where you step into wet hole. Maybe a gate wheel to keep the free end from dragging when in use. Plastic Tote boxes for storage of items like sheets not in use. A rack to hang the barn tools from, get them off the floor. A boot dryer for when you sweat inside those nice boots or your Muck boots. So NICE to put on warm boots. A new plastic wheelbarrow that does not weigh a ton empty, no flat tire on it or one with double front wheels that doesn’t tip over!
As shown in the posts above, most truly horsey folks are VERY particular about the items they want to use for riding or on their equines. They have specific ideas on what they like, which does make them darn hard to shop for. So going for a more generic item, related to the barn or making their life easier, can be a good direction to shop in or aim a clueless gift giver.
My husband is very creative, horsey, so I have gotten things like an air horn and air ride seat on my truck, a tack trunk set of wheels for easier moving it, new seat on the tractor with a back rest. A harness cleaning rack that holds two harnesses. Not really common gift stuff, but I LOVE them all, so usable! My horsey friends are so envious when I say what I got. My SILs just look confused when I relate what cool gift I got this time. Sure not like their jewelry gifts! But I don’t wear jewelry much, too likely to get hung up on something or lost. I do have nice things to wear when I get dressed up.
