Its holiday shopping season and Ive spent the last few months searching for unique or useful equestrian gifts. Im so excited to share them with you. Most are small businesses; all are items that Ive used personally and have lovedperfect for supporting these businesses on Small Business Saturday as you shop for the equestrians in your life. Happy shopping and happy holidays!Hay Chix Buckle Safety CoversIve been a huge fan of this company for years, both for the quality of products and their customer service. I have their hay nets in all of my stalls. But I do blanket, and the issue of buckles getting caught in nets has always been a concern. The crew at Hay Chix has come up with an easy and cost-effective solution: a pack of 12 buckle covers (in three different sizes) that easily Velcro over blanket buckles to lessen the chance of getting stuck. Theyre super sturdy, the different size options have worked on all of my different blanket brands, and theyre super easy-on-easy-off. These make great gifts for barn friendsand you may as well pick up a pack or two for your own stocking.Shop for $20 on haychix.com.Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse, and the Stormby Charley MackesyIf you are an equestrian who has not yet heard of the British artist Charlie Mackesy, do your heart a service andcheck him out.His latest bookAlways Remember is the sequel to his firstThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horseand like its predecessor, is a gorgeous combination of beautifully-minimalist illustrations and simple, yet profound life lessons on friendship, kindness and resiliency. The messages in Always Remember brought me to tears, and I bought three copies for my dearest friends for the holidays and caved and gave one early to a friend who I thought could use its inspiration sooner. This book is a work of art, and a gorgeous gift for just about anyone on your list.Shop for $18.88 for the hardcover book on Amazon, or visit Mackesys website for originals, prints, cards, and other gorgeous gifts.Venustas Fleece Heated Vest and MoreVenustas is a newer competitor to the heated clothing market thats definitely worth a look. Ive been wearing their womens heated fleece vest all fall and have been thrilled with the quality and the fit. Its more tapered and less boxy than others Ive triedthe most flattering heated vest Ive come across. In fall temps, its great as an outer layer on its own, or layer it under a heavier coat during the coldest weather. It has three heat settings, and the battery life is long; I cranked it to the highest setting for the bulk of a chilly campfire and it kept me warm all night. The heating elements all the way up the neck made a really toasty difference. The company also has heated sweatshirts, jackets, gloves, and socks, so theyve got gift options in a variety of price ranges so you can check off lots of loved ones on your list!Shop on venustas.com.Art by Willow Custom Embellished Horse PrintsHow many of us would love to ownor to gifta custom horse portrait but are hampered by the cost? Most of us? I met the lovely Willow Barnes at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio and shes come up with a genius, and gorgeous, way to cut the cost of a custom without sacrificing quality: embellished horse prints. Using photos of your horse, she selects a base printhigh-quality prints of her own paintingsin the color that best matches your horse, then customizes it by hand, adding markings, matching colors, etc.She took these chestnut base prints and customized them to my Palomino gelding, Moose, and theyre spot-on. Right now, her base prints are stock horse builds, but the reception shes received to this idea has been so positive that shes hoping to branch out to other breed types in the future. This would be a lovely gift for barn owners, trainers, or dear horse friends that theyll cherish for years to come.Starting at $111 on artbywillow.com.Horse Education Company Hybrid HaltersHorse Education Companyis another companyIveloved for a while. Mybulldozer of a Fjord has had a HEC hybrid halter for years and I love the extra control from the front knots paired with the ease of regular halter features for things like leading and tying. We upgraded this fall to the Classic Leather Hybrid Halter ($136) with a custom name plate and matching lead, andunsurprisinglyfound it brought the same level of extra control in a stunning leather look with impeccable craftsmanship. This will definitely be our going-out-into-the-world halter, and would make a great gift for anyone who likes the added control of a rope halter with the ease of a traditional one.Starting at $45 on shop.horseeducation.com.The Original Muck Boot Company Womens Arctic Sport IIIve been a big fan of Muck Boots for years, and was in need of some new tall, insulated winter boots for working around the barn. These Arctic Sport IIs are really comfortable and very warm, and their neoprene is totally muck-resistant. Theyre soft and flexible right out of the box, and the top has extra stretch (in really cute plaids) to hug your calf and keep out the cold. I went trick-or-treating in them (with my son the astronaut and Penelope the rocket ship) the day they arrived and they were so comfortable for our 1+ mile walk. Now were knee-deep (almost literally) in mud-season and these are my go-to for morning chores through night check. Put these on your own wish lists this year!Staring at $135 (dependent on height) onmuckbootcompany.com.Kristen Kolenda Yoga for Equestrians Monthly MembershipA unique, useful gift for the best of your barn friends just might be a monthly membership to Kristen Kolenda Yoga for Equestrians. You get so much from membership, including a comprehensive video library with over 100 videos (with new content added regularly) sorted into categories and lengths to fit a variety of needs. The video library includes everything from 5-minute mini-sessions to 75-minute intensive studies into different skills and focuses. And theres something for the very newest yogis to more advanced students. There are also options for online live classes and an active and supportive online community. This gift would be perfect for a friend who could use a little zen, or who would be interested in exploring how the practice of yoga could positively impact their riding.Sign up for $35/monthhere.Melissa and Doug Take-Along Show Horse StableThis simple little barn, with its wooden stable and eight colorful steeds has been a favorite of my 4-year-old son since he received it two Christmases ago. The littlest of hands will love sliding ponies in and out of their stalls (when you turn them around, they can peer out the barn window). Slightly older kiddos will love more imaginative play. And with the realistic colors and coat patterns like palomino, Paint, gray, Appaloosa, and more, you, too, can have a toddler who knows the difference between a chestnut and a bay! This is also a great addition to the lounge of any barn that caters to little kids.Shop for $41.99 (currently on sale for $21.99) onAmazon.Kiel James Patrick Highland Fox Sweater and MoreId been eyeing these wool-blend fox sweaters from Kiel James Patrick, wondering whether they were worth the hype and the price tag. Turns out they are! Theyre high quality, the colors are gorgeous, and the wool is so soft and warm. Theyve got several fox options (pullover and cardigan-style sweaters) as well as some adorable fox socks, and a childrens line thats just adorable. Their entire collection is worth a look.Shop on kieljamespatrick.com.This article about Small Business Saturday equestrian shopping is a web exclusive for Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Shop Small Business Saturday: Equestrian Edition appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.