Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our friends!

Letter to Santa

As everyone knows shopping for Christmas kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. So I thought it would be appropriate if I sent Santa my requests early. 

Dear Santa,

My request for 2013 is for
A fat bank account & a thin body.

Please don't mix these up like you did last year.

Thanks so much! 



Until next time

Quote for Today
 
No matter how carefully you stored the lights last year, they will be snarled again this Christmas.  ~Robert Kirby

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Hi, it’s me Sami—you know, the handsome, athletic Arabian. I’m a little bit late with this letter but I know you will get it because… well, you’re Santa.  For Christmas I would like some new shoes with lifts in them to make me taller.  I’m eight years old now and I thought I would grow bigger in the three years since I came to the barn.  I been trying to eat as much as I can but I’m still only 14.2 hands and I guess this is it for me.  But I really need to be bigger so the horses that live here will start takin me seriouslee.  They still don’t realize that I should be leader of the pack and won’t listen to me.  But with shoes and lifts they would be really scared of me cuz I would be bigger.

Dusty never pays no attention to me either.  She always squeals and strikes at me when I try to talk to her.  Okay, maybe I might get too close, but that’s no reason to be so rude.  I think she shouldn’t get anything for Christmas cause she’s so mean.

And Grady should get a frozen lump of manure in his stocking cuz he’s such a bully to me.  He’s the one who always wants to play, but I can’t help it if he’s the one who ends up with all the bloody cuts and bruises on him and I don’t have any on me at the end of the day.  He’s always getting me in trouble!  Grady is really sneaky like that.

Mellon is kind of cool and smart and I can see why he’s in charge.  We’re a lot alike and he’s my friend so, since he’s gettin old I think you should bring him a heated bed for his stall to keep him warm and comfy when he lays down to rest.

Blue is a jerk!  He chayses me off the hay nets or the best grass all the time.  Who does he think he is anyway?  He’s not the boss of me!  I’ll eat where I want to.  Blue should get a rotten carrot in his stocking, that wil show him.

Nate is okay but he’s so big I’m fraid he’s going to knock me over sometimes when we play halter-tag.  Plus, he’s got kind of an unfair advantage, being so big.  It’s a good thing I’m so fast!  But he’s mostly hangin round with Dusty, so we only play once in a while.  You could bring Nate some nice treats cuz he’s okay.

Donnie is okay too.  He doesn’t play much but he’s not mean to me—not most of the time, anyway.  He’s prabobly the nicest horse here and we could be friends when I get bigger and do some fun stuff then.  I guess you could bring Donnie some good treats too, whatever he askes for.

So Santa if you could help me out with the lifts for my shoes that would be all I need for this Christmas.

Your best pal,
Sami

p.s. - I guess you could throw in some carrots and stud muffins if you got any extra.

p.p.s – well, I feel kinda bad.  I guess if you are bringing some treats for me, maybe you could bring some for the rest of the horses too, even Grady and Dusty and Blue.  But just because it’s Christmas!

The Herd and I wish you all a very

Merry Christmas! 

The Christmas Eve Myth

A myth in folklore, tells us that on Christmas Eve at midnight all horses are gifted with the ability to converse in human speech with each other and with us. I have never been fortunate enough to hear them chatting amongst themselves. Regrettably, this year will be another missed opportunity because of previous commitments; I can only imagine what their conversation would be like.

Sami (our youngest and most curious, childlike horse)
Sami has spotted something in the sky.
“Grady, do you think that light in the sky is Santa Claus and he is coming to give us treats?”

O’Grady (Sami’s best friend. As “older brother,” it is his job to torment Sami.)
“I don’t know Sami, but if it is Santa, I’m not sure you’re getting anything this year. Remember when you broke the fence? Well that was very naughty and Santa knows all about it!”

“Oh no, that was just an accident!  Santa won’t mind about a fence, will he?”

“Sami, Sami, you poor little misguided horse!  You are not getting anything from Santa.  Sure, he is bringing all of us treats and new halters, but we have all been good.  You, on the other hand… there is that fence incident and, of course, when you got loose and ran all over the farm and Mom couldn’t catch you. You’ll be lucky if you get a shriveled up carrot in your stocking!”

Sami is looking out his window and feeling very sad about all this, “but if I promise to be good will Santa bring me something anyway?”

“Well we will just have to wait and see won’t we? But I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you…”

Donnie (our kindest and sweetest horse who looks out and cares for every herd member.)
“Don’t worry Sami, I’m sure Santa has something in his bag for you. We all make mistakes and Santa is very forgiving.  I’ll bet he gives you the biggest treat because you are the youngest horse.  You really are a good boy so don’t let Grady tease you and upset you.  Now go to sleep, little guy, and wait until morning and then you can see what Santa left for you. Good night, little buddy.”

Nate (another sweet personality in the barn, who is friendly to everyone and quite a prankster with a twisted sense of humor)
“Now, Donnie don’t go getting Sami’s hopes up.  Grady might be right and Santa won’t leave him anything. Unless he stops being such a little brat during pasture time.  Maybe if he promises to stop annoying all of us with his antics I might be able to put in a good word for him. What do you say Sami, can you promise to be good from now on…humm”?

Mellon (is senior herd member and leader.  Age has not mellowed him much…)
“Will you idiots knock it off! I don’t see anything in the sky.  And, besides, who wants a scary stranger to come into the barn in the middle of the night with a bunch of reindeer and noisy bells everywhere? Not me!  And Nate, don’t you remember when you dragged your blanket into the stall and trashed it?  How do you think Santa will like that?  Stop teasing Sam-…

Wait! I see something.  Is it that light over there?  It’s moving!!!  What if it isn’t Santa at all?  It could be a meteor heading straight for the barn!  Or aliens coming to abduct me and perform strange tests.  Or worse, it could be the vet coming to perform strange tests!!!

Blue (a sort of free spirit who lives in his own world, above all the nonsense.)
“Listen you guys, I’m trying to catch some shut eye over here, so just go to sleep and see what happens in the morning.  If we have new stuff, then we have new stuff; if we don’t, who cares?  Take what the universe sends and be grateful for it. Tomorrow is just another day… life is all an illusion… yawn… nothing really belongs to us… yawn… renounce material… zzzz….”

Dusty (our self-absorbed mare, who has very little tolerance for silly boys.)
Ignoring Blue, she interrupts: “Hellooooo, why is everyone looking out their stupid windows when they could be looking at me?” Stomp!

“Can’t you see my beautiful blonde hair, and big brown eyes,” she says, wrapping a Christmas garland around her neck like a feather boa.  If anybody gets anything, it will be me, because I am the most beautiful. I will get all new brushes and shampoos and blankets and halters and saddle pads. You just wait and see! I have been as good as I need to be and I deserve it all.  You boys are just a bunch of brats who don’t deserve anything!” Stupid boys….

Until next time…

Quote for Today

Horses have as much individuality and character as people.
- C.W. Anderson

A Christmas Wish List From Our Herd

A Christmas Wish List From Our Herd

During the morning feeding ritual I found this tacked to the wall with a horseshoe nail. This 'Christmas List' was scribbled to Santa with each horse’s wish for this year’s goodies:

 Sami

Dear Santa,

Please, please, please bring me some nunchucks and a cool Karate DVD. I need them so I can hone my fighting skills and one day become the rightful herd leader. I’d be really good at it and Mellon is getting too old to tell me what to do anyway. Maybe then I’d get some respect and Blue would stop daring me to stick my tongue to the frozen hay rack... that hurts and everyone laughed at me! But I had to do it, just to show them I was tough!

Blue

Santa,

Listen, here’s what I want for Christmas: I want a boombox and a black leather blanket. I’m too cool for the rest of these nerds and it’s about time everyone else knew it too. I wouldn’t mind a TV for my stall, either. It gets boring being stuck inside on icy days. Oooh, and a Tempurpedic mattress – I like to sleep a lot, you know...

 Mellon

Dear Santa,

I am going to need an advanced chemistry set and a computer with an internet connection. I can’t say why, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with taking over the world from my stall.

 Donnie

 Dear Santa Claus,

I was watching my favorite movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” and I thought it might be nice to get a heart just like the Cowardly Lion for Christmas. Not that I’m cowardly, I’m just... cautious :-\ But I’d like the nerve to be ridden so I can get out and do all the fun stuff I used to do before. I used to trail ride and jump and hack in the field with other horses, and I miss all of that. I’m happy just lunging now, but I’d really, really like to not be afraid of my girth and saddle and my people sitting on my back. I know that’s a lot to ask, so if you can’t do that, maybe you could help me with something else? I’m already a little thin on top, and I lost a lot of forelock due to burrs this season... I’d like a forelock toupee so I can really impress the ladies – they don’t call me “Don Juan” for nothing!

 Nate

 Hey Man,

First on my list has to be Stud Muffins! They’re my favorite, but since I can’t be ridden much these days, I hardly ever get them anymore :-( I’d also like a helmet, full body armor like the knights’ horses used to wear, and maybe some bubble wrap. I’ve been such a klutz lately and I’m getting tired of getting hurt! And how about a sleep machine with soothing ocean sounds so I don’t have to listen to everyone else in the barn snoring and I can finally get some rest at night?

Dusty

Hello Santa,

For Christmas I only want everything I’m entitled to as is befitting my status as Queen of the Realm, uh I mean herd. It’s a short list but I need every item listed as follows:

Personal masseuse
Hot tub in the wash stall
Personal hair stylist/groomer

Lighted mirror in my stall

Remote control door opener/closer

My own personal suite of stalls complete with TV, refreshment bar, snack refrigerator (stocked with goodies), velvet drapes, new stall mattress and a framed oil painting of myself

Different mane and tail extensions for different looks …7 should do it, one for each day of the week

An assortment of blankets and coolers - my preference for this time of year is fur preferably mink

New saddle and bridle with a bling browband (preferably rubies - it’s my birthstone, after all

Finally, I could use a little glitter hoof polish. I’m running low

It may seem like a lot but after all, I’m worth it, don’t you think! *Wink, wink big tail swish*

 O’Grady

Dear Sir,

For Christmas this year I would like lots of treats. It doesn’t matter what kind, I'm not particular. I’ve never had a lot of treats because I was a show horse, but now that I’m just sort of hanging around and hacking out, I don't see how a few treats could hurt this year. I could also use a new halter, since the other horses keep removing mine and hiding it. But nothing fancy, mind you, just something strong and understated... like me! Since I’m an Irish hunter, how about importing some Irish clover seeds to plant this year in the paddock. I do so miss the green grass of home. If you can't manage that, I'd be happy with just a picture for my stall of rolling green hills. First Florida, and now here with all this white on the ground... it is making me sad. Come to think of it, a pint of Guinness wouldn’t hurt either.

Thank you,
O’Grady

 Sweetie

Dear Santa Claus,

Being the eldest lady in the barn, I’ve seen quite a few things in my lifetime and what these youngsters don’t realize is how bad it can be for a horse out there. I don’t have a single thing to ask for this year. I already have more than I could have hoped for. A few years ago, I never even imagined I’d still be around to see another Christmas! I’ve got everything I need, and I wouldn’t dream of asking for more.
But, Santa, we both know there are a lot of horses out there who haven’t been as lucky. So if I can ask you for anything this year, it’s that you take care of them. There is a stack of our old blankets in the shed, and it would be my Christmas wish to see them go to a rescue where less-fortunate horses might enjoy them. As you can see, we have all we need here.

Merry Christmas to you Santa and all your lovely reindeer.

Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

 

Of all the gifts that I've received

Over many and many a year,

The gifts of love and family

Are the gifts I hold most dear.

The family Christmas gathering,

The fireplace aglow,

The pumpkin pie and candles,

And the lightly falling snow...

On this peaceful winter night

I watch the snowflakes fall:

The gifts of love and family

Are the greatest gifts of all.

May the spirit of Christmas live in us always!

The Christmas Pony

The Christmas Pony

Once there was an Arabian pony named Sami, and he lived his whole life in a stall that was very dark and dank. He was born into a cruel world where horses never left their stalls, except to be run out occasionally into a small metal pen where the bright sunlight hurt their eyes and the world seemed huge and frightening. Because of his sheltered life, Sami did not know what it meant to have friends or to go outside and play. Most of all, he had no idea what it meant to be loved and cared for by a human friend.

Sami’s mom Sweetie lived across the aisle in her own dark stall. In her earlier years, Sweetie had been a much-loved show horse named Princess, she knew all about the world outside her box and what it meant to be special—to be loved. Her poor little Sami knew nothing of the wonders beyond his dank stall. His mama told him stories about her life before coming to live at this barn, and he could not even imagine what riding in a trailer, eating green grass, being groomed or having a rider on his back would be like, but to him it sounded wonderful compared to what he had now. Sami did not have much of a life to show for his five short years. At night, he dreamed of galloping in a meadow, though he had neither galloped nor seen a pasture in his whole life. Mama assured him someday he would find the perfect human to love and take care of him, but his experience with human contact was limited to being fed and pushed to one side or the other in his stall by the man who cleaned up. Sami had little or no hope of his situation ever getting better. He was indeed a sad little pony.

One day he heard a lot of commotion around the barn. Trucks were pulling in with trailers attached. People were walking up and down the aisle looking in the boxes. Sami pushed his nose up to the metal bars and tried to see over the partition. What was happening? The strange people were taking the horses out of their stalls and leading them away; but where they were going when they left, no one knew. Sami asked his mama if they were going to new homes. She told him yes, though she wasn’t so sure. There was another place unwanted horses like them usually went. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to scare him. She would rather he learned to have hope.

“Mama, there is no one else left here! I guess there are no homes for us.”

“My Sami, you mustn’t think that way. There is always hope. I want you to promise me that you’ll be good and not let yourself be afraid or sad just because you don’t know the future. You are young and you have plenty of time left for a good life. Someone will come for you. You’ll see.”

“But what about you mama? I don’t want to leave you!”

This made her heart break. She knew no one would want her now that she was crippled and old and could no longer provide foals. It was too late for her. But he still had a chance. She wanted to prepare him for the worst.

“Sami, I am old and I’ve had a full life; I’ll be happy to stay here. You mustn’t be sad if I can’t come with you. I’ll be alright. But I want you to go to the very best home, so you have to be brave. Can you do that for me?”

“I… I will, Mama,” Sami said with tears in his eyes, “but I’ll miss you so much.”

Hours passed and no one else came. But then, just when they had given up hope of anyone else coming back for them, another trailer pulled up in front of the barn and two strangers got out. They walked through the barn and looked briefly at the two horses, and then they began to walk out. Sweetie, who knew this, might be the last chance—the only hope left for her little Sami to have a real life, and maybe even a possibility for her. Desperately she began calling and whinnying to the strangers not to go. They returned, with halters in their hands! Two halters! Sweetie was worried, but she chose to hope for the best. She let the strangers put a halter on her and lead her away.

Sami was frightened of the strangers, but he saw how calm his mama was, and how quietly she followed them to the trailer, even though her feet hurt her and she could barely walk; he did his best to be a brave pony and followed her onto the trailer. Soon enough he and his mama were on their way to a new home.

***

After a few months had passed in his new home, Sami was no longer a scared little pony in a dark box. Sweetie, his mama, was also happier now that she and her little boy had gotten some proper care. During the daytime, Sami played with his new friends; having discovered the joy of running, he would test how fast his uncertain legs could carry him; then he would graze contentedly in the huge paddocks, all under the watchful eye of his mama. He seemed so happy when he was out with the rest of the herd, yet at night, he sighed and still seemed like a little lost soul.

“What’s the matter, Sami?” Mama asked.

“Oh, mama, I love our new home and all my new friends. And these people are really nice and they take good care of us. But when will I have my own person to love me and brush me and ride me?” he asked woefully. “I’ve heard all your stories about special people, but there is no one for me. Am I too small? Or not handsome enough? Is that why nobody wants me?”

“Sami, you must be patient. Someday a very special someone will come and want you to be their very own pony, but these things take time. I’m sure right now someone is looking for a pony exactly like you; you just have to wait for them to find you.”

So, Sami searched out his window every night and wished on the twinkling stars for the special person who would come for him. The weather was getting colder each day and snow fell gently on the paddocks. Sami still played hard all day with his new friends and wished on the stars at night. Nothing changed. Sami was losing hope.

A lot of hustle and bustle around the barn lately had Sami wondering what all the fuss was about. Mama and the other horses told him that soon Santa Claus would be arriving in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer to fill the stockings that hung on their stalls with special treats, and sometimes he would even bring special gifts for the ponies that had been extra good! Sami’s eyes bulged wide, could that be real? Flying reindeer? Gifts? Mama assured him it was true; “the best part of Christmas Eve, Sami, is that you get to ask Santa to make one wish come true for you.” Sami bobbed his head up and down; “I know just what to ask for!”

The clock struck midnight on Christmas Eve and sleigh bells jingled in the distance. With a whoosh of runners on snow and a hearty ho-ho-ho, Santa landed his sleigh outside the barn. Little Sami could not believe his ears or eyes at this magical sight! Santa appeared in the barn with a bag slung over his shoulder. He went to each stall filling each stocking with tasty treats. Then he asked each horse what he or she wanted for Christmas, and they all made a secret wish. Since it was midnight on Christmas Eve, all the horses could speak human according to myth. Sami was awestruck into a wide-eyed spell of wonderment as he watched Santa pass out their special treats

“Sami, you’ve been a good pony. What do you want for Christmas this year?” Santa asked. Sami whispered his wish into Santa’s ear. Santa smiled, patted his neck, ruffled his mane, and told him he would see what he could do. Then off they all flew into the starry night.

Christmas morning arrived with no change in Sami’s circumstances. He was given extra treats and turned out with the rest of the herd as usual.

In the afternoon, he was brought in and groomed. Sami loved being groomed and fussed over and, even if Santa couldn’t grant his wish, he knew he had a lot to be grateful for. He was having a happy Christmas after all. Sami was put in his stall with some sweet-smelling hay. He didn’t mind being inside, but thought it was odd no one else was brought in.

He munched his hay quietly, a little bewildered, when suddenly the barn doors opened and there stood a little girl. She marched right over to Sami and petted his inquisitive, wiggly nose. Her small hands held treats and carrots for him. Sami played with her hat and pulled it off, which made her giggle. Then he nuzzled her hair. She laughed and petted him some more. They were both having such a good time with each other.

“Grandma is he really mine?” she asked, rubbing his face with her mittened hand.

“Yes, he is, honey.”

“I love him! And I think he loves me, too.” She kissed him on his velvety nose.

“You’re my pony now and I’m going to love you forever,” she whispered to him.

Sami nuzzled her cheek and shook his mane. He wanted to jump up and down, and run and buck and whinny to tell the whole world how happy he was. Sami couldn’t believe that this little girl loved him, and he sure loved her back.

Santa kept his promise and found Sami the perfect little girl to love him as her very own, and he would love her and take care of her too. What Sami didn’t know is that Santa had also granted Sweetie’s request that day too. As she looked on from her pasture she saw how happy her little colt was, and she thought to herself, “Some Christmas wishes really do come true….”

‘Merry Christmas’