Tiz the season for festive greenery and glistening lights. Instead of going store-bought, this may be the year to customize your décor with something one of a kind—a horse head wreath.

Creating a horse head-shaped wreath is easier than you think; it can be made in an afternoon while sipping on spiked eggnog and listening to Christmas music. Grab your barn mates and throw a wreath-making party together.

1. Gather your supplies and find an appropriate workspace. The chicken wire has sharp edges, which can scratch delicate surfaces and your hands. Be aware of this and cover your table if necessary.

One of the most challenging parts of this project is finding the right horse head shape. I suggest drawing out the outline of a head on poster board first. Don’t stress if your drawing isn’t perfect. Most of the fine points will not be captured within the wreath’s shape.

Once you have your horse head drawing, carefully unroll the chicken wire. Cut off a square section that is as large as your piece of paper or poster. The wire is thin and breaks with regular scissors. I used my trusty old barn scissors for this.

2. Bend the wire into the shape of a horse using the drawing as your guide. Make cuts in the wire as needed so you can roll the wire when shaping the ears and jaw.

3. Repeat this process a second time to add an overlay of thickness to the wire base. It should be durable enough to hold several layers of garland. If you opt to use real greenery, a third sheet of wire might be required since it’s considerably heavier.

4. Now it’s time for the fun part—adding the greenery! Attach the garland to the chicken wire using small pieces of wire to secure the garland every few inches. First, work with larger strands. Then cut the garland as needed to fill in any thin spots.

5. Don’t skimp on the garland; you want to create a thick, full wreath. Make sure your garland is attached well, especially if it will hang on an outside door.

6. After the garland is attached, jazz up your wreath with additional decorations. Make a halter from ribbons and adorn the wreath with your favorite horse show winnings. Be creative! When you’re finished, it’s time to hang and admire. Simply hook the back of the wreath onto a nail with the back frame of wire.

This straightforward DIY might look intimidating at first glance, but it’s one of the easiest craft projects I’ve ever done. It took about two hours to complete and cost around $30 for supplies. Gallop over to your local craft store and make a horse head wreath you can enjoy year after year.

This article on how to make a horse head wreath originally appeared in the December 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post DIY Craft: Make a Horse Head Wreath appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

You can never have too much horse stuff! Let your passion for riding exude into your household and wardrobe with these eye-catching equine accents. Quality finds will last a lifetime and remain timeless over the years. These English horse things will spark joy even when you’re away from the barn.

Spanish Riding Boots

Welcome fall with suede boots in camel and brown. These chic knee-high boots feature a zipper on the outside, a tassel pull and buckle closure. The Spanish
boots are handcrafted in Valverde del Camino, and additional tassels are available for purchase in a rainbow of colors.
£345.00; www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Cloth Napkins

Take your dinner party to the next level with horse-themed cloth napkins. Each napkin is screen printed and handmade in Oregon. The holidays are just around the corner—be everyone’s favorite hostess with these rustic napkins.
$36.00; www.etsy.com/shop/ohlittlerabbit

Equestrian Stirrup Candleholder

Owning a piece of Arthur Court is something you can be proud of, and the stirrup candlestick holder is the latest design from their equestrian collection. Place on your mantle or dining room table to instantly elevate the room—light it up and get cozy!
$45.00; www.arthurcourt.com

The Artful Equine Tea Towel

Each handmade tea towel created by Betsie Millsap of The Artful Equine features intricate details composed of fabric, leather and acrylic paint. The horse can be personalized from a photo, turning a décor accent into a treasured keepsake. While they are a functional item, it’s OK to just hang and admire.
$79.00; www.etsy.com/shop/theartfulequine

Blue Horse Head Pillow

A down-filled pillow offers a soft place to land on the back of a chair or couch. The iconic horse head with a bridle is surrounded by braided details. The soft exterior fabric is velveteen, which is easy to clean and keep looking new.
$159.00; www.justgorgeousthings.com.au

Marengo Clutch

Cindy of AtelierCG designs fine leather goods and jewelry in her Los Angeles studio. The Marengo is a hybrid design of a clutch and belt bag; carry it by hand or attach it to your belt and go hands-free. The supple Red Dun leather has multiple compartments for storage. Each piece is made to order by hand.
$240.00; www.ateliercg.com

Marina Poncho

Instantly add a layer of sophistication to your outfit with Rönner Design’s Marina poncho. The acrylic/cotton blend is perfectly balanced: It keeps you warm
but isn’t too heavy, making it a great day or night piece.
$149.00; www.ronnerdesign.com

Compassionate

“Compassionate” zooms in on the face of the horse, bringing out the emotion of the eye and beauty of the horse’s face. “In our fast-paced modern world, it’s my goal to draw attention to the details and capture emotions with my paintings,”
says Stefanie Hornig of Equine Emotions Art.
$1,100.00; www.equineemotionsart.com

This article about English horse things originally appeared in the October 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post English Accents: Horse Things for the Home with an English Style appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.