When decorating for the holidays, you want to let your personality shine - and for many of us that means expressing our love of horses. Thankfully, there are many ways to incorporate equestrian-themed decor into your home without going overboard.  

 

Equestrian Decorations 

Color Palette 

Combining shades of chestnut, caramel, saddle, cognac, and chocolate with greenery and natural materials can give your home an elegant, timeless, Ralph Lauren-inspired equestrian look that you can build on using mixed metals, patterns, and textures.  

After you pick your base colors, choose one or two patterns to accentuate your color palette, such as traditional tartan plaid pattern with reds, greens, and dark blues to add dimension and texture. Accentuate your space by adding patterned pillows or blankets, using patterned gift wrap, or adorning your tree or garlands with patterned ribbon. Plaid is always a safe choice, as it’s a timeless design that will always be in style.  

Although some people may consider mixing metals a faux pas, it adds contrast and richness to your space, while giving it a curated, unique look. But, when mixing metals, make sure the colors aren’t too similar - like gold and brass. Instead, choose opposing combinations such as brass and nickel to create depth and interest. Other potential combinations are stainless steel and gold, black and brass, or chrome and brass. When selecting your metals, consider the overall look of the room you are decorating and choose which combination you think works best with the existing color palette.  

Accents 

There are many ways to express your passion for horses when decorating your home for Christmas. Odds are, you’ve collected some meaningful treasures throughout the years. Not only does using items you already own save you money during the already expensive Christmas season, but it also allows you to share your mementos and stories with family and friends. For example, using old tack is a great way to accentuate your home or barn. Have old horseshoes lying around your barn? Give them a scrub and adorn them with ribbon to make a sentimental ornament that also brings you good luck! Or, if you have a few spare bits, attach them to a wreath for an equestrian touch. If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can go the extra mile and create a horsehead wreath to greet your guests when they arrive. Plus, if you have an old halter you’re not using anymore, you can add it to the wreath for an even more eye-catching look. 

Holly Holden, international interior designer, author, speaker, and horse enthusiast, decorates her own home, Fox Hall, for the holidays by enhancing the decor she already owns. Holden offered expert advice and personal tips about getting your home holiday-ready, from using the smallest of embellishments to hosting memorable holiday parties. 

Holden explained that “going overboard with decorations is a no-no in my book of classic interior design, so I embellish what we already own around the house with my nod to an equestrian Christmas.” For example, she decorates her bronze horse statues by tying a red ribbon bow around their tails, which leads to the story of her beloved hunter horse, Tootsie Roll, who was a notorious kicker. This is a simple, inexpensive way to add subtle decorations to your home while telling a story with your decor. Holden also spruces up the art in her house by adorning frames with garlands, or by adding fresh-cut holly sprigs tied with a red ribbon for a simple, yet elegant touch.  

If you have trophies sitting around collecting dust, Christmas is the perfect time to break them out. Use them as a centerpiece on your dining table and fill them with fresh flowers or add some height to your mantle by filling them with natural greenery. While this ends up being a beautiful decoration, it also adds to the list of interesting stories you can share with your guests! 

Dining 

If you do a lot of entertaining during the holidays, you know the dining room is a great place to highlight your festive Christmas decor. Start by laying down a crisp linen tablecloth and napkins, add your centerpiece and other table decorations, and then your plates, glasses, and napkins. Holden has a beautiful five-piece porcelain place setting that’s perfect for an equestrian touch at the dinner table, featuring gold trimming with a houndstooth pattern and red tassel design that makes it perfect for the Christmas season. In terms of your table’s centerpiece, the sky is the limit! Try decorating with a trophy filled with foliage, a horse statue, or beautiful stirrup candle holders. 

The Barn 

Of course, our horses deserve a festive home during the holidays, too. Decking out your barn is a fun way to include your horses in the joy of the holiday season but be sure to keep safety in mind when decorating.  

If you choose to decorate with lights, consider using LED lights that stay cool when in use, or battery-powered lights to avoid the risk of overheated extension cords. Whatever kind of lights you choose to use, be sure to inspect them for any problems before use and always turn them off when you leave the barn for the evening.  

Horses are curious creatures, especially when you introduce something new to their environment. Adding wreaths, lights, garlands, or trees to your barn is a fun and festive way to brighten the dreary days of winter, however, make sure the decorations are out of reach from your horse’s mouth. Many Christmas plants, such as mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias can be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested, so it’s best to keep these out of the barn if you have any concerns about your animals getting too close.  

As a general rule of thumb, stick to adding festive decorations to the outside of the barn, such as a few wreaths on the barn doors or adorning the farm sign with ribbons and sleigh bells. While decorating the barn can be fun, your horse’s safety should always be the number one priority.  

 

Holiday Horse Treats 

One of the best parts of the holidays is baking delicious Christmas cookies, so while you’re at it, make some holiday treats for your horse as well. Make a day of it by inviting some friends from the barn over and decorating stockings for your horses, making horse-safe holiday decorations like a wreath of peppermints, and trying out new holiday treat recipes.  

Christmas Cake (please note, this recipe is not dog-friendly as grapes are toxic to canines) 

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups of sweet feed 

• 1 apple, chopped 

• 1 cup of raisins 

• Purple grapes 

• 2 carrots, diced 

• ½ cup of molasses 

• 2 eggs 

• Sugar cubes 

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease cake pan 

• Mix sweet feed, apple, raisins, molasses, and eggs together in a bowl 

• Press mixture into cake pan and bake for one hour 

• Remove from oven and let cool completely 

• Top with grapes, carrots and sugar cubes and let your horse enjoy 

Peppermint Kiss 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of old-fashioned oats 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour 

• ½ cup shredded carrots or apples 

• 1/3 cup molasses 

• 1 small, ripe banana (mashed) or 1.2 cup of sugar-free applesauce 

• Peppermints or candy canes 

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a cookie sheet 

• Combine oats, flour, carrots (or apples), molasses, and mashed banana (or applesauce) in a large bowl and mix well 

• Spoon the batter into balls and place on prepared baking sheet 

• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies begin to dry on the top and crack 

• While the cookies are still warm, firmly press a peppermint into the center of each cookie 

• Allow the cookies to cool and gift to your horses