Let’s acknowledge that I don’t really need any of these items, but they would be really, really awesome to have. I’m actually at a point in my horse-owning life where I don’t need anything. I took care of my last round when I got winter blankets for Tristan and some new breeches for myself.
I am, of course, lusting after things in the SmartPak catalogue anyway. So what am I hoping I find under the tree (knowing full well that my family really doesn’t give me horse stuff, with a handful of exceptions)?
1. IRH XR9 Helmet, $176.95 at SmartPak
My current helmet is an IRH Equilite. It’s three years old and hasn’t had any knocks on it; I replaced it after taking a dive at Scarlet Hill while schooling XC a few years ago. It is practical and sturdy and ugly as hell. The concept of something non-plastic that doesn’t give me bubble-head makes my heart go pitter-patter.
2. SmartPak Winter Overpants, $84.95 at SmartPak
Yes, I have plenty of lined breeches and jeans and other warm layers for barn work. I do not currently own a pair of ski pants, though, and the idea of waterproof, windproof thick pants that I can wear while riding bareback this winter is tremendously appealing.
I love me some stats, and the idea of a heart monitor I can wear on my wrist and use to check Tristan’s fitness as we’re going along? Droooooooool. It’s actually not too terribly expensive for what it promises, either. Yes, I can darn well use a stethoscope and get a pulse when I hop off. You’re missing the point. (Also, Tristan is legitimately difficult to pulse; even the barn manager had trouble doing it this summer.)
My posture is the actual worst. I promise it’s worse than yours. I have Tall Girl Slumping Syndrome and I sit at a computer all day – not even a real computer, a laptop, because I move so frequently between offices. I’ve heard good things about these and I’d love to give it a try.
I borrow the barn’s on a regular basis. There’s nothing quite like ’em for wicking sweat. In cold weather, I put this as a bottom layer and then throw a wool sheet on over it. The very best for baths when it’s a bit chilly, or when you’d just like to go home and stop walking your sweaty horse in circles, already. Again, there are plenty for me to borrow but sigh.
beljoeor.com 
All great gift ideas! Those overpants though, I might legit need those.
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I want to try the shoulders back too.
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yea… that shoulders back is also relevant to my interests lol
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I want to try that helmet as well…I like how understated it is.
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Love shopping, even if it's pretend 🙂
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I see the shoulder one on ebay all the time cheap!
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