We all have a favourite animal that we collect ornaments and pictures of but how many of us have a beautiful and unique cross stitched plaque or sampler picturing our favourite type of animal in pride of place on our wall. The internet is full of cross stitching websites with all manner of patterns, including a lot of stunning horse pictures for all the equestrians among us.

For example www.123stitch.com and www.mistydreamz.com/horses.htm both have a whole range of horsy patterns from headshots to running horses galloping along the beach. There are also a number of fantasy scenes, baby horses, shire horses and even a selection of complete kits for people just starting off in cross-stitch. The patterns range in price and complexity meaning that there will undoubtedly be something to delight all horse lovers.

Alternatively, if you have a horse of your own or maybe your child, grandchild or friend has an equestrian buddy, then why not take a photo, upload it to one of the many sites that now provide a charting service and have your own horse's picture converted into a cross stitch chart.

These, when stitched and framed, make perfect individual gifts that any recipient will be bowled over by. And there really is no better way to add a personal touch to a present that will hold memories for a lifetime. 

For kids and especially little girls who maybe take riding lessons or simply adore horses you can possibly cross stitch a cute horsey design onto a jacket or other item of clothing that they wear to go riding or alternatively if they own a horse or pony themselves you could stitch a horse motif and a name onto a horse blanket as an extra special gift. Personalising clothing and other fabric items will not only make them stand out from the crowd but the wearer will simply beam with pride.

However, if like me you have a love of carousel horses with their bright colors and elegant faces then you should visit www.sillybirds.com/carousels/xstitch.htm where there are a number of apparently intricately detailed patterns that actually incorporate the basic cross stitch only. What is more, and this is the real bonus, the cross stitch chart, floss chart and stitching key are all….free! Thus there is no longer any excuse for stitching wooden looking horses.

Special occasions and public holidays are great times to create cross stitch items, especially greetings cards. At www.heritagestitchcraft.co.uk/margaretsherryhorses.html there are five gorgeous cute horse cross stitch kits, the patterns of which can be used time and again to make adorable greetings cards for your loved ones and close friends. You can give them something a little bit different that can be kept on the mantelpiece all year round.

Horse pictures will look at home wherever you decide to put them and whatever material you put them on be it aida and other cross stitch materials or something like a bath towel, a sweater or even at the end of a scarf if you are an accomplished stitcher.

Luckily the internet is bursting with cross stitch patterns and there are plenty to cater for all ranges of ability and price. There are even free patterns around if you take the time to look however if you don't have the time then try the links below for a variety of free horse patterns:

www.alitadesigns.com/cross-stitch/patterns/006.php

www.sillybirds.com/carousels/xstitch.htm

www.cyberstitchers.com/PatternLibrary/index.asp?ID=1073411040578

www.cyberstitchers.com/PatternLibrary/index.asp?ID=1073411644968

www.craftdesigns4you.com/freesepthorse.htm

This last link is to a 'September horse' but the same website offers 11 other horse patterns for the remainder of the year from which you can make a very novel calendar. The additional patterns aren't free but they are by no means expensive either.

Because horses are such popular animals there will no doubt be a number of books and monthly magazine publications containing horse cross stitch patterns as well, so with a little bit of searching it won't take you long to find that perfect horse pattern.