Gifts for Barn Owner/Staff?

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Gifts for Barn Owner/Staff?

Barbara F · Grand Prix

Depending on your price point, for the barn staff, a pair of movie tickets, a set of polos for their horse, which you can get for under $20, a box of hand and foot warmers (those packages that you open and put in your gloves and socks), for the farm owner, a Bit Blanket bit warmer (just under $40). For the farriers, a box with packages of hot chocolate and a travel mug (assuming a lot of the farms they visit have water and a microwave or kettle), so they can have a tasty hot drink on the go.

-- Edited by Barbara F on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 11:27:18 AM

VeganVienna · Yearling

Usually I get my coach a Greenhawk gift certificate (a big tack shop chain in Canada). If they have their own horses, I buy them special made treats, or make some on my own. I have to be careful though because not all owners feed their horses treats and some horses have allergies. A good carrot almost always works. It cheers every horse up on Christmas when a bucket of carrots is left out with a sign for owners saying "Happy Holidays" in a well populated area of the barn!

MagsNMe · Advanced

We definitely do get them treats. Our farrier gets a bottle of good scotch (we split that amongst us). And then it depends on whether we go in together or not. I suspect we'll pool for something for our trainer too. We're a small barn, 8 boarders, so it's easy to arrange. I also always buy a Purdy's collection for in the lounge for people to snack on. Maggie usually gets goodies for her buddies, this year it may be a baggie of crunchies for everyone. When we first arrived at the barn two years ago, it was just me and another lady, three horses in total, so the barn owner's horses got Barnies, while her new buddies got Stud Muffin candy canes.

valandluna · Foal

How much do people really enjoy hand-made gifts? I know that sounds terrible, but if I make something, I don't want it to seem like it's because I am unwilling to spend the money. Thoughts?

Barngoddess · Yearling

Speaking as a Full Time Coach (and wife of Barn Owner) -
We LOVE Timmies Gift Certificates! We always receive too many cookies and chocolates (which are lovely too!) but being able to go and get a Timmies coffee or tea is ALWAYS appreciated!
Any GC for food is awesome! Swiss Chalet, Wendy's, etc! Barn Owner's LOVE to eat out.
Mark's Work Wearhouse or Canadian Tire GC's are fantastic as well. Ton's of stuff for Barn Owners to buy!!
Anything for our horse or dog/cat is always awesome. I always love a new saddle pad with my horse's name or mine on it.
Homemade gifts make us cry! We LOVE that you put effort into making us something. Sniff.
Pictures of you and your beastie in a great frame are a terrific gift - along with a special card (I keep mine FOREVER!)
Gifts of Tea/Coffee/Hot Chocolate are great.
Who can't use another mug?
Find out if the BO or Coach has a hobby and give them a GC or a gift relating to it. Last year everyone gave me Henry's GC's and I was able to purchase an amazing camera! I took pictures of all my students at the shows all year and gave them pictures.

-- Edited by Barngoddess on Thursday 18th of November 2010 04:53:14 PM

Alaina M · Foal

As a rider who often borrows my instructor's gray Paint, I'll almost always have a brand-new bottle of Green-Out for her at Christmas, since I have usually used up quite a bit of hers throughout the year anyway!

Julius · Well Schooled

thanks for the great tips Barngoddess!! Off to start shopping, crafting and printing!

SiobhanDressage · Well Schooled

I'm going to get my barn owner an apple-picker. Worth their weight in gold. :)

Horse-hearted · Advanced

Bags of shavings for the barn owner. Or cat food, she loves getting cat food!

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Some great gift ideas here!