It’s almost getting too late to send Santa our list.

Remember when you were a child, you would spend time dreaming and writing all the things you wanted for Christmas. Most of us, I’m sure, asked for a pony. Most of us didn’t get one.

I started asking my husband over a month ago what he wanted for Christmas, didn’t get very far. We’re at that point in our lives that if we want something we just go out and buy it (We’ve pretty much gotten everything over the years). You just never know if you’re going to make it to Christmas, so enjoy it now! I guess the most important thing we want is health. You see a lot of stuff on TV that promises you it will make you healthy on those infomercials, but really all they do is empty your wallet. Of course that does make you weigh less.

I’ve come to hate Christmas Shopping. I am no longer good at figuring out what to buy someone. It just becomes more stuff they don’t need. I certainly don’t need one more thing in my house or barn either.

When you were a child, it was a wonderland of toys and gifts. Of course with horses, we can always think of something we need, or at least want.

But here’s the question – If our horses could write a letter to Santa, what would they ask for? Of course we get them what we would like, but really, what would they ask for????

Would they want a new saddle? Well maybe if the one they have hurts their back. Would they want new boots? Probably not but I could use some new barn boots for myself. I don’t think horses stand in their stalls or pastures thinking “gee I’d really like a set of those new purple boots that the horse next to me has.” I really don’t think they like stuff strapped to their legs, but sometimes we do know they need them. How about a new winter blanket? Some horses would and some would just as soon run around naked, with winter hair of course. You know how much they like rolling in the mud, sand, and snow. Especially right after you’ve cleaned them.

I think about the horses standing in my pastures and what they would ask for. Lou would love for his owner to come and see him more often. He’d love those scratches and massages he used to get. Copper would love for his family to come and bring cupcakes. The kind with tons of icing. Erin would like a friend, but he’s getting coal in his stocking this year for beating up the one he had. Sky, I really don’t know what he would want. Maybe just some extra hugs and kisses. I try to make sure he gets them twice a day, but he still looks sad. Asked him once if he missed his owner. His reply – “I’ve had so many, what’s one more.” My farm is pretty much like nursing homes for people, parents and grandparents are deposited there and pretty much forgotten. Now when you get to my girls, they make it clear what’s on their list. Friday wants to go for rides. She get’s all excited when you make her pretty and take her out. Zoey, not so much. She loves one on one time, but only in short intervals. Hates being ridden on the farm. Trail riding is not her favorite, but put her out in the hunt country and she shoots into action.

Once my neighbor asked her donkey what she could do for him. He said you don’t bring me any of those red and white treats anymore. So that leads me to believe that they all want their favorite treats at any time of year.

Bells? I think they like to wear bells. I always put bells on the harness and we wore bells in the woods during hunting season.

Music. They love to ride to music. When I was young they told us to pick a song with a beat that the horse could match for a trot and canter, and sing it to them. I look back now and know that one of the reasons was to keep us breathing. You can’t hold your breath and sing at the same time. However, if you picked the right beat for each gait, the horse will pick up on that and hold the rhythm. It’s great for getting around a Hunter Course at a show. It keeps your pace consistent with no speeding up or slowing down.

Other than that I don’t think they would ask Santa for the things we ask them to wear. Do they mind? Most don’t, they like to humor us. They are pretty agreeable to most things. Like purple painted hoofs with glitter. Glitter in their manes, tails, and wherever else it lands. Antlers – don’t do that during deer hunting season and take them out in the woods, especially if you have a buckskin like I did.

We love our horses and love to dress them up in silly costumes. They love us and so they let us do that without a fuss.

So Dear Santa, Please bring our horses treats, good health, and many Happy Trails. Sincerely, the people who love them and have waited for them our whole lives. We finally got our pony.