Birthday gift ideas for horse mad but horse less...

MissCandy

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I am trying to think of something special for a 21 year old. As title she is horse mad but horse-less. I am the only 'horsey' person likely to buy her a gift.

General interests are reading and art (she is a very talented artist) and she is into anything remotely horse related but with eventing ambitions.

She is an experienced rider but majority of riding at riding schools as she hasn't had much opportunity for anything else.

So I'm looking for recommendations for...pretty much anything!

A book, piece of special kit for when she eventually gets her own horse, experience - maybe a voucher for a lesson on a dressage schoolmaster or similar. Budget of around £50 ish.

Help!
 
Lesson on a school master as you've already got would be fab, for a girl in the office who is a keen novice I arranged a couple of lessons on a mechanical horse. She's very geeky so loved the computer feedback on her weight distribution etc then put it into practice in her weekly lessons at her regular riding school - might be worth thinking about if there is something similar near you.

... Or a trip to a big event, hickstead, Olympia or something similar? Good excuse to 'escort' her too!
 
I had a book when I was horse mad and horseless. It is called How to ride and enjoy other peoples horses. You might get it on Amazon. It contains tips on being in a position to take advantage of opportunities and how to create opportunities. It is a bit of a fun book really.
 
Really nice pair of gloves? A schoolmaster lesson? Tickets to Burghley?

ETA: Basically what Tiffany said :o
 
I've got a hand painted wooden item in stock that might be perfect if she is into dressage or show jumping? I can't really say more as I'll get done for advertising on here but it is a handpainted hook hanger suitable for a bedroom or kitchen for keys or jewellery etc. PM me if interested as I can customise them too if you wanted something specific for her and within your budget.
 
I'd definitely go with some kind of "experience" as that will be the most memorable. You could do something she hasn't tried before - western, sidesaddle, driving, heavy horse hacking all spring to mind!
 
As a horse mad, horse less person the best gift I got was a voucher for a beach ride so experiences are a good idea and something she might not be able to afford normally. Other stuff I've are socks, gloves, flask and a horse Pandora charm
 
I'd definitely go with some kind of "experience" as that will be the most memorable. You could do something she hasn't tried before - western, sidesaddle, driving, heavy horse hacking all spring to mind!
This. Shes an experienced rider who would probably love the oppertunity to try something different and ride horses that are not riding school horses.
Or a dressage lesson on a school master or something similar :)
 
Horse combat... I would die for a lesson in this! It sounds like soo much fun!! Bit of archery etc its something different :)
 
Thanks everyone!

Minkymoo, thanks for the link I think she would definitly like that book. Amazon also suggested Eventing Explained by Liza Randell that looks good if anyones read that?

Billabongchick - thanks but I think I'm torn between a good book or two or a riding experience as I think thats what she'd like most.

Off to google Horse Combat and see what other riding experiences are available in my area.

Thanks again everyone
 
Before I had a horse my dad gave me some top quality grooming brushes, wooden backed and with proper bristles not plastic. Used first on loan and share horses before I got my own. I still have those brushes many years later.

If she has limited opportunity to be around horses, putting her in touch with somebody who has perhaps a retired horse that could benefit from some fuss and attention would probably be very welcome.
 
When I was at a Riding School my Dad organised for me to go along with others to a local show for my 18th Birthday and enter a few classes on one of the RS horses I loved to ride. A quick chat with the YO will see if this is possible. I shared the horse with his owner for the day and did a couple of clear rounds and some gymkhana games, it was the most wonderful day out as I never imagined I would ever get to go to a show without owning a horse. I also got to keep the rosettes I won.
 
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