It all began with gifts in a stable

Christmas is traditionally the time of year for splashing out on friends and family. But, this year, don't forget your favourite horse or pony who has been loyal to you all year round.

Why not get into the festive mood and buy him or her a special present such as a new cosy rug, or even a stocking filled with horsy treats?

If your horse is placid, try fitting him with a red or green halter and attach bells to it.

Give him a few extra mints, buy him a fun toy from a tack shop and hang a holly wreath on his stable door.

Play Christmas songs in the yard and - if you're lucky and its snowing - take your horse for a hack through the white stuff.

Christmas supper might start with a special appetiser.

Let's tickle his palate with some sliced carrots, a big sticky blob of honey, or even sliced fruit.

If fed in very small amounts, all these things are good for horses and will certainly stimulate his desire to eat.

In fact, these appetisers are good for poor eaters at any time of the year.

Just think how tired a horse gets of hay and grass. A little appetiser 30 minutes before the main course can really make a horse eat like a horse!

Sliced pumpkins and melons in small amounts make a tasty treat too. Don't worry about the seeds - they aren't harmful to horses.

Roots are ideal for the first course.

Carrots are the basic root but you can add some parsnips, turnips, potatoes or sugar beets in small amounts, but be sure to cut them all into small pieces.

The entre should be hay or grass and plenty of it.

Horses cannot tolerate major changes in their diet so all the special treats need to be in small amounts.

Even be careful when you introduce a new load of hay or grass because sudden changes in moisture content or curing can cause colic.

If you just want to jazz up the meal, sprinkle some sugar on to the hay.

Your horse will love it.

Desserts should be small - an apple a day is a good guiding rule.

Holidays require something special so why not try a plum, pear, a peach or nectarine.

But be sure that the pip or stone has been removed.

Yummy Apple Horse Treats

Two apples

A quarter of a cup of molasses

Half a teaspoon of salt

One cup of uncooked oats

Cut the apples into quarters, removing core and seeds. Place in a bowl and drizzle molasses over apples using a spatula to get all the molasses out of the measuring cup. Stir the apples to coat evenly. Put the oats and salt into a large bag and shake well.

Put the apples in the bag and shake until they are coated with oats.

Leave in the bag until ready for use.

Presents for horses and riders

If you have run out of Christmas present ideas this year, here are a few suggestions - and they are available locally at Equestrian and Country Leisure,Top Barn Farm, Worcester Road, Holt Heath.

You can keep your horse snug and warm this winter with a new outdoor rug and, what's more, you can co-ordinate it with his stable rug. Why not give him a Christmas stocking? A treats stocking starts at just £2.99; a treats and grooming kit stocking is £4.99 and a treats, headcollar and rope stocking is £7.99.

Doormats with horse prints for £16.99 are the ideal way to brighten up your back door and what could be better than sipping that early morning cuppa from chunky bone china mugs featuring horses, ponies, farm animals and dogs for just £6.95.

Delightful rocking horses come in three different breeds and colours - press his ear and he neighs for £69.99.

There are plenty of arts and craft ideas for pony lovers too, from a shrinking picture set to an iron-on bedding transfer set, embroidery set and colour your mug set.

So when you're not riding there's plenty to keep you occupied.

Stocking fillers for children include pencil cases, colouring sets and stickers for just 50p.

There are plenty of ideas for yourself too.

Safety is always a consideration when riding and a dinky phone holder for £6.49 makes the ideal gift. Your phone is safe and secure and can be kept with you at all times - in the yard, mucking out and even on a hack.

Gray's "stable buddy radio torch" is a handy pocket sized combination and at £6.99 comes complete with AAA batteries.

A nice warm pair of socks is a must and there are assorted designs from Thelwell stories to hunting scenes. These socks are ideal under wellies and riding boots.