I wanted to share this takeoff of Clement Clark Moore’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ as a bit of fun for all of you who manage and love horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules!

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the stable,

All the creatures were cozy, to the best I was able.

The stalls were all bedded, and horses had hay,

The waterers all working, and the tools put away.

My hubby was napping in front of the log fire,

And for once I was able, to early retire.

Then out near the barn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter!

Away to the window I ran as toward a barrel,

My hand on my phone, and scared to the marrow!

Then what to my wondering eyes should appear (of courses),

But a miniature sleigh with eight Miniature Horses!

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick!

More rapid than American Pharoah they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now Crasher! Now Fancier!

Now Prances on my Feet, and Vixen!

On Damnit! On Stupid!

On Conner, and Blitzen’s Fancy Cat Adonis!

To the top of the barn, to the top of the rolltop wall.

Now dash away! Dash away!

Dash away all!

As dry leaves fluttering will make your horse fly,

Back to the barn, while you lie looking at sky.

So Santa his Minis he was finally able,

To get them to stop at the door of my stable!

And then, in a twinkling, he leapt from the sleigh,

Kissing the ground and starting to pray.

So I drew in my head and headed outside,

While St. Nicholas finished and gathered his pride.

He was dressed all in Dover and Ariat and Dublin.

With traces of Cinch, Wrangler, and Stetson.

And the bundle of gifts he had loaded in the sleigh,

Made him look like the UPS guy delivering today!

His eyes, yep they twinkled! His jacket fit well!

His boots, well they had that good stable smell!

On his face was a grin, his beard white as snow,

(I think it was from driving eight Minis, ya know!)

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

Was not lit, of course, and he brought me a hay wreath!

He had a broad face and a little round tummy,

(That showed me that Mrs. Clause did the stable chores, honey!)

He was chubby and plump, if he were a horse,

He needed grass hay, daily exercise, and less feed, of course!

With a wink of his eye he left the Minis untied,

Soon gave me to know I’d better follow him inside!

All the ponies got treats, from Buckeye, you see!

And owners got mag subs from Equine Network, even me!

And giving a nod, as if he knew he must go,

He walked out the barn, and on down the road.

Cause we all know if you don’t tie up Minis,

They won’t stay in place, not even at Christmas!

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he ran out of sight,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all, a Good Ride!

By Kimberly S. Brown, with apologies to Clement Clark Moore, author of Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Further Reading

  • Kimberly S. Brown
    Kimberly S. Brown is an award-winning writer and publisher. She is the Editorial Director for My Senior Horse. Brown spent 10 years at Equine Network, parent company of My Senior Horse. Prior to that she worked for three years in equine nutrition after she retired from nearly 30 years working at The Blood-Horse. Brown spent the last 15 years of her time at that organization creating and developing The Horse and TheHorse.com.
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