Once again, ’tis the season, and in most horsey households no gift list is complete until the names of equine friends appear right along with Uncle Joe and Cousin Mary Sue. As we do for our human friends and relatives, we want to get just the right gift–one that pleases both giver and receiver.

Needless to say, the Internet is a virtual wonderland of equine products and gift ideas. So are the fall trade shows and commercial exhibits featured at most of the larger year-end horse shows and rodeos.

A simple Internet search results in a vast and sometimes confusing array of products guaranteed to be the best, the most beneficial, the longest-lasting, and so on. Where do you start? We have a few ideas, but as always, no endorsements. Please take good care to do your own research and check out appealing products thoroughly before making any final decisions.

We decided to concentrate on those items that truly are good for your horse, not presents disguised as gifts for your horse, but clearly meant for the horse owner. (A new hunt coat or custom chaps, for example, might make your equine friend look better on the rail, but he doesn’t actually benefit and couldn’t care less about them