| If you know a girl who loves horses or ponies, then | | | | you can find to give to those girls who love horses. |
| you probably find yourself shopping for horse lover | | | | Well, boys love sports stars, and later on guys and |
| gifts. I asked a lot of girls age 8 to 14 who are crazy | | | | gals alike like rock stars. What do they do with these |
| about horses to rate their favorite horse gifts, and | | | | icons? They pin up posters of them. As one may |
| here's what they told me. (Oh, and they were not | | | | guess, another frequent answer to my survey |
| allowed to answer "a horse or pony" - which we | | | | questioning was "a horse poster". It doesn't matter if |
| know would be their top pick. It's mine!) | | | | they already have some -- they can always have |
| If you can't really own or ride a horse, the next best | | | | more. |
| thing is reading all about them. Horse crazy gals really | | | | If you can't really keep a horse in a barn in your yard, |
| love "Young Rider" magazine, a horse lover's | | | | tack it up, and ride out into the sunset, you can still play |
| magazine especially targeted at young female | | | | a video game about doing those things. One of my |
| equestrian enthusiasts. "Young Rider" gives special | | | | strongest horse lover gift survey responses was: a |
| offers on year-long subscriptions, especially at | | | | computer game about riding horses. These games can |
| Christmas time. The girl you're gifting might learn a new | | | | be online-interactive and downloadable, or they can be |
| level of serious riding appreciation from reading this fun | | | | on CD/DVD, or there are even horse games for DS |
| and informative magazine -- maybe enough to prove | | | | or PlayStation. Bella Sera trading cards make great |
| to you that she' ready for that pony. (Hey, I only said | | | | stocking stuffers and will allow the lucky recipient to go |
| "maybe"). | | | | online to play with the horses she creates. |
| Another top answer I received was something along | | | | Finally, though...maybe the ultimate next-best-thing was |
| the same lines: a horse book. These books can also | | | | a super-response: a saddle. Yes, a real saddle. After |
| be about ponies or even unicorns, incidentally. There | | | | all, you may know a gal who is taking or will be getting |
| are many top-selling horse and rider novels, story | | | | riding lessons. Having a saddle of her own to take |
| collections, accounts of horses and riding in history, and | | | | care of can make her feel like the horse at the riding |
| rider (not to mention horse) biographies. The Phantom | | | | ranch is her "own". Saddles are pricey, but you'll be |
| Stallion series is one of the top rated among girls I've | | | | paid back with a dazzling light in a young girl's eyes. A |
| surveyed, along with the Saddle Club Series and the | | | | saddle is on the top of my gift list this year. Hope |
| Heartland Series. Classics like Black Beauty or Misty of | | | | you're listening Mom or Dad...Santa...Grandpa? |
| Chincoteague are also still among the top titles that | | | | |