If you’re dating an equestrian, and are wondering how you can make today (14 February) really special this year, here are some ideas to treat your Valentine
Are you dating an equestrian? And you’re reading this article on H&H about how to make them happy? Wow, you’re already the best boy/girlfriend ever.
What you need to know is that while you may never understand their obsession with white breeches, and your excitement when they announce they’re getting a new gag and whip is definitely misplaced, they’re actually really easy to please. Here’s how to make their Valentine’s Day just perfect today….
1. Muck out a stable for them
There is no greater romantic gesture than removing poo from your partner’s horse’s stable. Shakespeare would have put it into Romeo & Juliet, if only he’d been able to think of a rhyme for ‘manure’. You might reckon mucking out sounds easy, but strangely, it isn’t. Equestrians are fussy about their horses’ beds. Don’t let this put you off, though. Watch a few YouTube videos first to see how it’s done. Then do it. Just remember: horse people get up really early.
2. Fix that wonky gate/dodgy roof on the trailer/flat tyre on the lorry
There is no more attractive trait in the opposite sex than the ability to do DIY, especially if it means your beloved can finally reverse their lorry out of that mud drift it’s been stuck in for weeks. You WILL be rewarded for this — possibly in heaven, but possibly in this life, too. Who can say?
3. Buy them new stuff
There’s no equestrian on earth that will turn down one of the best winter riding coats or a pair of the best winter riding gloves, whether they’re upmarket and expensive, or cheap ‘n’ cheerful. Ditto riding boots, show jackets, show shirts, gilets or even a pair of the best horse riding socks (yes, we have specialist socks, too). Just make sure you get the right size or there could be hell to pay.
4. Get their rugs cleaned and proofed
Yeah, we’re definitely going big with the practical stuff here. That’s horsey people for you, though. While they’d probably enjoy being serenaded in bed with croissants and Buck’s Fizz, part of their brain will be also thinking, “better stuff this down, Snowy starts kicking the door in if his breakfast is five minutes late”. Which can kill the mood. Getting their rugs cleaned (or cleaning them yourself, here’s how) and proofed (again, you can proof your rugs at home) is a gesture that will be appreciated even more than a red rose in a jam jar. We know. Mind-boggling, isn’t it?
5. Book them tickets to a show
But not Frozen On Ice. That’s really not their sort of thing. Maybe offer to pay for their entry to their next competition, or if you’re feeling really flush, take them to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Palm Beach, Florida (here’s a list of hotels near the PBIEC to get you on your way). Actually, forget them, take us instead!
You might also be interested in:
16 signs you’re dating a horse rider
20 Valentine’s Day gifts and cards with a horsey twist
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