Stuck for Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Horse Lover? We’ve Got You Covered!

EquineInfoExchange.com is a great source for ideas for gifts! Of course, we have our GIFTS and JEWELRY section where you can find beautiful items for that favorite equestrian in your life.

How about your sister who spends more time at the barn than at home? Find her a great pair of gloves or boots in our APPAREL section or a gift certificate at your local tack shop.

Have a child who spends more time on their cell phone than outdoors? Sign them up for riding lessons or check out the YOUTH OUTREACH programs in your area where they can find the beauty of being engaged with a horse.

Want to be entertained? For those who love to read and learn more about horses, BOOKS are always a great gift check out our top selections as well as our TOP 100 HORSE MOVIES.

Want to do something special for your favorite horse owner? How about scheduling a photo session with a PHOTOGRAPHER to capture memories to last a lifetime! We also have a list of PAINTERS and SCULPTURES who have beautiful work – many of whom can create custom pieces just for you!

Have a romantic getaway in mind? Take a look at our VACATIONS section and treat yourself to an escape or a TRAIL RIDE where you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors while riding a horse.

Love seeing a horse show or race? Check out our CALENDAR OF EVENTS section and get tickets as a gift!

Does your best friend pamper her horse more than she does herself? How about getting her a GROOMING product so she can use on her horse’s next day of beauty!

Feeling generous? We also have the largest list of REHOMING organizations and you can make a charitable donation in the name of a friend as a holiday gift.

No matter what gift you choose, make sure it is something that your horse-loving friend or family member will appreciate and enjoy. Put some thought into their interests and needs, and you're sure to find the perfect gift.

(These gifts are available on Free Gift Friday. Just sign up HERE or email us at info@equineinfoexchange.com with your information!)

There's more interesting articles in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.

Staying Warm This Winter - WSI Sportswear at Equine Affaire 2025

We had a wonderful time at this year's Equine Affaire in West Springfield, MA.

WSI Sportwear - Made in the USA Since 1990

We are a dedicated team of hard working and creative individuals who aim to provide high quality clothing Made in the USA. Joel Wiens founded WSI, a leader in premium sportswear design & manufacturing, in order to provide the best sportswear on the market to demanding athletes. Since 1990, WSI has achieved excellence by combining cutting-edge design, high tech materials & ultra-modern innovations which are crafted to provide the athlete with the most comfortable performing sportswear in the industry at its facility in Eagan, Minnesota.

You can find WSI in our section for Riding Apparel

The Great Christmas Tree Fiasco

Written by: Susan Stafford. Excerpted from Volume 1 of the "Horse Tales for the Soul" series. 

Many years ago - about 4 B.C. (Before Children), to be exact - my husband and I had a Big Adventure. After years of city living, we had just purchased our first home in the country, a run-down cottage in the middle of a swamp on a dead-end road. The basement was constantly under water (we cheerfully called it our indoor swimming pool), the septic system was always backing up and the mosquitoes were so ravenous that we could have benefited from regular blood transfusions.

We were often without power, got snowed in every winter, and the roof leaked. But the place was ours, and it was heaven. To satisfy a lifelong dream, we bought a couple of horses to complete the picture. Now, knowing very little about horses at the time, we just scooped up the first likely prospects that came along.

Luckily, my little black gelding, Buck, was trustworthy and quiet most of the time. His only major flaw was that he was an escape artist. There was not a stall latch designed that could keep him in.

There was, of course, the unfortunate incident when Buck let himself and his barn mates out one night, then proceeded to the neighbor’s stable to release all their horses as well. The police informed us in the morning that the small herd of hoodlums had been terrorizing the surrounding farms and frightening motorists all night long.

They implied that “the black one” appeared to be the ringleader. It was all very embarrassing - much like the authorities showing up at your door to tell you that your teenage son had been caught joyriding in a stolen car.

My husband Frank’s horse was the complete opposite of Buck. Dubbed Ahab the Arab, he possessed every vice known to the equine world. He hated to be caught, brushed, saddled, bridled and ridden. He tried to kill the vet on several occasions. He refused to pick up his feet to be picked out. He rolled his eyes and spooked at everything on the trail. In short, he was totally neurotic.

Nevertheless, for our first Christmas in the country, we decided it would be oh so romantic to ride off into the bush one moonlit winter night and cut down our own Christmas tree. We saddled up and moved off down the deserted road and into the forest, with the moon casting dark shadows on the blue-tinted snow and the horses’ breath suspended in the frosty air.

Deep into the forest, we found a lovely, full spruce and Frank set about cutting it down. As he rode Western, it was agreed that he would tie the tree via a long rope to the saddle horn and drag it home - just like the pioneers did.

At least, that was the plan.

Read more: The Great Christmas Tree Fiasco

The Top 20 Celebrities (or Their Kids) Who Ride Horses - From Youngest to Oldest

By the EIE Editorial Staff

Many of us have a passion for horses and for celebrities who earn their living in the public spotlight, the connection may even be more special. For them, spending time with a horse can be incredibly inspiring in many ways. Horses, unlike fickle fans, offer unconditional acceptance. In a business where actors and actresses are scrutinized in both their public and private lives, horses don't judge. They offer a sense of companionship and acceptance that can be incredibly comforting and inspiring.

From our youngest rider to our most established veteran, here is the list of celebrity equestrians:

1. Grace Wahlberg is the 14-year-old daughter of Marky Mark Wahlberg inherits her Pop-singer/actor Dad's work ethic and goes all-in for the equestrian sport of show jumping. Mark is clearly proud of his daughter!


2. Eve Jobs is the 25-year-old daughter of the late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, was ranked the top 25th best show jumper in the world last year. A graduate of Stanford University, she is also a top model. She enjoys spending time with her horse, Genius, on her ranch.


3. Bella Hadid, the 27-year-old supermodel, is known for being seen in the show jumping arena. This past January, Bella made an appearance at the National Cutting Horse Association $50,000 Limited Amateur event. Yes, this talented lady rides both English and Western!


4. Kendall Jenner is a 28-year-old lifelong Equestrian, model and social influencer. Kendall recently released a Youtube video for Vogue Magazine. Kendall, who recently discussed her wellness journey and the importance of her horse Arizona, entered Vogue World alongside Gigi Hadid riding Django


5. Jennifer Gates Nassar is the 28-year-old Daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, founders/owners of the Microsoft Empire. Jennifer and husband Nayel Nassar are showjumpers & owners/proprietors of Evergate Stables in Wellington, Florida.


6. Jessica Springsteen is the 32-year-old daughter of Superstar Rock icon Bruce Springsteen. She is a BOSS in the Showjumping arena, having won multiple International showjumping competitions at the highest levels and won the silver medal in the United States 2020 Olympic Equestrian team. Jessica speaks to Harper’s Bazaar about horses, fashion and prepping for her second Olympics.


7. Amber Marshall is a 36-year-old Canadian Actress and horsewoman. Heartland has a huge following, especially in the equestrian community, and is now the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in Canadian television history! Amber stars as Amy Fleming, the “Horse Listener” who helps clients' troubled horses on the family ranch in Alberta, Canada. In addition to being a great actress, Amber is also a lifelong horsewoman and has her own YouTube channel.


8. Mary-Kate Olsen, the 38-year-old actress and identical twin (her sister is Ashley) has been riding since she was six and competes in the jumping competitions. She credits riding with helping her view the world outside of school and work, saying “Horses teach you a lot about yourself.”


9. Kaley Cuoco is known for her character on the hit “The Big Bang Theory” but now it seems her life is more of a Big Jump Theory. The 38-year-old actress and equestrian lives on her ranch outside Hollywood with her menagerie of animals, her partner and daughter. Cuoco competes in the showjumping arena on the A circuit.





10. Sam Heughan is a 44-year-old Scottish actor and stars as Jamie Fraser in the wildly popular series, Outlander. He grew up in a barn, so it is no wonder he is an accomplished horseman. He has even professed his love for riding horses in a kilt!


11. Cole Hauser is a 49-year-old actor known for “2 Fast 2 Furious” is a coffee entrepreneur and lifelong horseman. His latest role of Rip Wheeler in “Yellowstone” came naturally since he had been a cowboy since he could walk. He says in an interview, “From four to eight years old I was on that horse every day after school. That horse and I were like the best of friends.”


12. Jamie Foxx. Is there anything the 56-year-old actor, musician, comic, horseman cannot do? They actually cast Jamie's own horse named Cheetah, in the Quentin Tarantino movie “Django Unchained.” Foxx and Cheetah worked together to perfect bareback riding stunts and other scenes to perfect the authenticity of their bond.


13. Julia Roberts, the 56-year-young pretty woman also looks gorgeous on a horse! She admits she was nervous the first time she was in the saddle but later looked forward to times she could demonstrate her equestrian skills in the movies, including her role in "Runaway Bride"!


14. Tom Cruise still does a lot or most, maybe all of his own stunts at 61. As horse people, we know that riding horses can be like doing stunts, so let's give all the credit to Tom Cruise. He has always had a love for horses, and has ridden horses in many of his movies. He takes time to get to know them, and to ride them.


15. Madonna, our 65-year-old Material Girl will not be stopped by any unplanned dismount. “Hospital or back on” goes for her, too. Madonna loves her horses and she will keep riding despite the press focusing on the moments where equestrians may snicker at her.


16. Kevin Costner, the 67-year-old actor and horseman was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2019. His most renowned Western works include “Dances With Wolves” and most recently, “Yellowstone.” Coming up this summer, is the series Horizon, which can be seen in movie theaters.


17. Hugh Jackman, 55 years old, is a film and stage star who became an accomplished horseman leading up to the film, “Australia” with Nicole Kidman. Starring as an Australian rancher, he rode and trained with ranch and cutting horses for a year leading up to the role.


18. Viggo Mortenson, the 65-year-old actor is one of the most well known horse loving actors, seems to always want to take his equine co-stars home with him! He purchased “Brago,” the horse he rode in the film series “The Lord of the Rings,” the horse the character Mery rode in “The Return of the King” and the horse that played Hidalgo in the film of the same name.


19. Robert Redford, the legendary 87-year-old actor, producer and creator of the Sundance Film Festival among his accomplishments, is well known by horse lovers for his starring roles in the movies “The Electric Horseman” and “The Horse Whisperer.” He writes, “Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember…. This big-hearted animal, moving me along, like it was the most natural thing in the world.”


20. William Shatner, the 93-year-old former Captain Kirk, of the Starship Enterprise in the 1970's series, Star Trek, is now breeding, training and riding Saddlebred Horses. He has been for decades. Last year he was inducted into the Horse and Pony Hall of Fame during the Kentucky State Fair.

Can you think of more celebrities who ride? It is sure to be a long list if you think back through all the movies where there are actors riding and you dig into their lives with horses!

You can find more interesting stories in our section on Recreation & Lifestyle.