HORSES and dogs wearing colour co-ordinated rugs will be studded across the countryside this Christmas as animal-mad Brits continue to indulge their four-legged friends. Never mind a recession – families are willing to cut back on almost everything as long as they can keep their horses. Florence Davies, manager of Equestrian and Country at Holt Heath, near Worcester, says that sales of tack, horse-related clothing, presents and games are as strong as ever. She said: “We are pleased to say business is very good and people are busy buying anything from Christmas stockings to give their horses on December 25 to stylish rugs and wild bird seed. “We have a huge range of mugs, jewellery, photo frames and rosette balls – which were so popular last year that we sold out. “We have a huge range of stocking fillers, too. But one of the most popular present ideas are the dog coats that match the rug your horse will be wearing this winter.” There are specially-made jodhpurs in a range of fashionable colours, hat silks adorned with pink hearts and pom poms and the popular Skinny range of giftwear which includes key rings, coaster and mugs. Florence says that the store’s new clothing area – unveiled a year ago – has plenty of smart countrywear including an exclusive Sloggi range of ladies bags and wallets to the popular Landrover 1 Series of clothing. Breyer toys have proved a phenomenal success as have the Britains range of toys for boys featuring tractors, landrovers and a variety of farm machinery. However, if you want to buy yourself a Christmas present, then one of the most useful bits of stable yard kit is the Equine Speedskip made in Herefordshire. In the overcrowded field of equestrian pooper scoopers, the Rosson- Wye company has designed a winner. Not only it is much larger than the average, it is also, paradoxically, much lighter and the small rake implement is a gem. You can also use the Speedskip for clearing a whole range of garden refuse. Equine website Your Horse voted it top yard and stable product and at Equitana 2009, the world’s largest horse-related trade event, in Essen, Germany, it was shortlisted for the Innovation Award. We’ve got one at home – and it really does work.