Christmas gifts for horse riders when you don’t know what to buy

Buying a Christmas present for someone who spends half their life at the yard? Think about the day they spend there. The friend who hacks in short boots, the one who spends Sunday mornings plaiting for dressage and the child who’s counting down to their next lesson would all get use out of slightly different things.

Here are a few Christmas gifts for horse riders that will earn their place in the tack room, with ideas for a little stocking filler or a present you can put together yourself.

For the rider who’s always at the yard

A pair of everyday riding socks is a good place to start. They’ll get worn for lessons, hacks and all the jobs that somehow take longer than the ride itself. If you know their taste, pick a pattern that feels like them. For a Christmas pair, our Festive Bows socks have little red bows knitted into a forest green leg.

For a slightly bigger present, put a pair together with a small flask or their favourite chocolate. It’s the sort of gift they can put straight in their yard bag and use on the first cold morning back after Christmas.

For the rider who’s usually heading to a show

If they compete in close-fitting long boots, look at competition socks. Our competition range has a finer knit through the leg, which keeps bulk down when there’s already a snug zip to do up. A simple pair is easy to put with the rest of their show kit. If they like a bit of colour, choose something they’ll enjoy seeing when the boots come off.

A spare pair makes sense even if they already have a favourite. It can live in the competition bag alongside the gloves and hairnets. Add a small pouch if you want to make it into a present they can use to keep the little bits together.

For someone who rides in short boots

Plenty of riders wear long socks with jodhpur or paddock boots, with or without half chaps. Others prefer a shorter sock. If you’re buying a gift, go by the sock length they usually reach for. If you’re unsure, ask whether they like a long pair or a short one.

You can compare the short boot, everyday and competition styles in our riding sock shop. If you’re unsure where to start, the sock finder asks a few quick questions about who you’re buying for and how they ride.

For a child who’d rather be at the stables

Start with the shoe size they wear now. If you’re buying for someone else’s child, ask a parent for their current UK size, then check the size options on the pair you’ve chosen. Once you know the size, pick a design they’ll be excited to pull on for their next lesson.

For a little riding-day present, put the socks in a named kit bag or alongside a notebook they can use to remember what they did in each lesson. If they’re new to riding, ask their grown-up before buying kit that needs a specific fit.

For Secret Santa or a thank-you at the yard

If you know their shoe size, a patterned pair on its own makes an easy stocking filler. If you only know that they’re the person who brings your horse in when you’re running late, a bag of good biscuits and a handwritten card is a lovely option. Say what they did that made your week easier. That’s usually the bit they remember.

If you’re buying for a few riders, choose the designs individually. A bright pair for the friend who always wears colour and a quieter pair for the one whose whole kit is navy feel like two different presents, even if they’re wrapped the same way.

A quick check before you wrap it

For socks, check three things: their current UK shoe size, the sock length they prefer and the colours they actually wear. Check the sizing on the product page, especially if they’re between sizes. Then look at the shop’s delivery information before ordering so you know how much time you have.

If you already know their size and what sort of riding they do, browse the Cool Horse Socks ranges and pick a pair you can picture them wearing on their next yard day.