Santa checked his list twice, and rumor has it that some horses have been very good… while others may have shredded their stall cards or stolen a few too many snacks. We're taking a fun dive into the holiday barn roll call—nice or naughty, where does your horse fall?
THE NICE LIST
Therapeutic Riding Horses – Does there need to be any explanation? Therapy horses have hearts of gold, the patience of all the saints and the aura of peace that not every horse has. Their days are spent getting brushed in the same spot, eating lots of cookies, taking a few laps around the arena and just listening to whatever is asked of them.
Track Ponies – They're not necessarily "ponies," but that's the job they do. Track ponies work two shifts daily—escorting racehorses on and off the track during morning workouts and in the afternoons or evenings for races. Patient souls, these horses escort young racehorses to the track while being nibbled on their necks and shoulders, tuning out the raucous crowds and occasionally sprinting to chase after a rogue racehorse. They're rewarded with peppermints by tiny fans along the track railing and only get a few moments in the spotlight.
Mounted Patrol Horses – The bravest of the bunch, mounted patrol horses work day and night, summer and winter, helping to protect their cities. Their days are spent in extremes, from receiving treats from fans to holding back angry crowds, all with the trust that their human partner will protect them while they protect everyone else.
Lesson Horses – The ones that introduce the love of horses and riding to kids and adults of all ages. The lesson horse must have patience to deal with all the wrong signals while maintaining a steady pace at the walk. They withstand the lack of balance of novice riders and the pain of a bouncing seat but enjoy their "spa days" when a gaggle of girls surrounds them to be brushed, braided, and branded with glitter and pastel colors.
Heart Horses – No matter what he does, this horse has won over your heart, and no other horse that comes after him will ever compare. Whether you've owned him since birth or purchased him from a sale just a year ago, you've had a connection. There's so much you can say about your heart horse, yet not enough.
THE NAUGHTY LIST
Herd Bullies – These are horses that think they rule the pasture, with pinned ears and bared teeth. Horses that bully others in the field and push them out of their ration of hay or out of a desired spot of shade.
Gray Horses – Hear us out! The gray horse is the one that knows exactly where to lie on his manure so it stains his coat in such a way you can’t brush it out or cover it with tack when you're in a rush to ride. The gray horse knows that you have a show the next day, which is why you painstakingly washed and polished him the night before. Which is why you'll find grass and manure stains under his sheet, which you had religiously strapped on before you turned out the lights.
The Runners – You know the type: That horse/pony that is turned out in a field, and you have to grab him "quickly," but you already know it's not going to be quick. These are the ones that thrive on a game of "betcha can't catch me," allowing you to get within an arm's length of their neck before they pull athletic maneuvers even Simone Biles would be jealous of, just to trot 20 yards away and wait for you to make another attempt. Maybe a handful of grain will slow him down, but mostly it's a battle of wills and conditioning.
The Destroyers – Nothing is safe within the reach of these horses/ponies. Blankets, fences, feed pans or stalls – they’re notorious for taking their aggression out on inanimate objects. You have blanket repair kits in stock just to keep your sheets and blankets wearable for part of the season and the lumber yards know you by name when you pull in to pick up more fence boards.
Moody Mares – We're not going to point fingers at particular coat colors, but we all know those moody mares who are quick to pin the ears, swish the tail like a weapon and lean into your leg. Perhaps this group belongs more in the middle between the Nice and Naughty Lists because while their attitude leaves a lot to be desired for some horse owners, some riders have a special connection to these grumpy gusses.
In all honesty, we know that every horse, pony and donkey will appear on the nice list because of the happiness they bring us, even when they shred their blanket or poop in their water bucket. Pamper your pony with some new tack or horsewear from Tough1 and celebrate the holidays together!
