What would the holidays be without the participation of our equine companions? While the most obvious Christmas activity involving horses is the horse-drawn sleigh ride, there are equestrian holiday traditions steeped in history, and some more recent holiday horse events that have become traditions.

Traditional Christmas Horses

 

Our modern imagery of Santa Claus has been shaped largely by the writings of Clement Clarke Moore in his poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas, which is more popularly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

We’ve also been influenced by Santa Claus as drawn by Thomas Nast. Moore gave us the ‘eight tiny reindeer’ that pulls Santa’s sleigh. However, historically, various traditional incarnations of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus come riding a white horse. In Holland, children leave carrots in their shoes for St. Nicholas’ (Sinterklaas’) horse, in hopes that the carrots will be exchanged for treats for themselves. In Belgium, hay, water and carrots are left outside the house for the Saint’s horse. The feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 5th and 6th. In Spain, children leave their shoes filled with hay, carrots and grain for the horses of the three Wise Men, who they believe are on their way to Bethlehem each year.

Lucky, Noisy Holiday Horseshoes

 

Horseshoes were part of the celebration of Little Christmas (January 6) in parts of Serbia, where bands of young  men ran through the streets of their towns, chasing away demons by  shouting accompanied by the noise cacophony made by bells and horseshoes strung on rope.

On the morning of Little Christmas, Serbian children sprinkled straw on a threshing floor. A horse was driven around to thresh grain with its hooves. A bread was baked of this grain.

The Grey Mare

 

One of the more macabre traditions of the holiday season is the  Welsh Mari llwyd. A person draped in white cloth, carrying a horse skull on a long stick walks about town engaging people in homes and pubs in a battle of wits. Occasionally, the horse may bite someone.

Boxing Day Hunts

 

Boxing Day fox or drag hunts are a tradition in the UK and USA. The British tradition of Boxing Day hunts is centuries old. While fox hunting was banned in Britain in 2004, over two hundred thousand supporters turned out for Boxing Day drag hunts in 2012. In North America clubs may hunt coyote, fox or lay out a track with a scented drag. Kills are very rarely made. The continued popularity of Boxing Day hunts may have to do with huntsmen having extra time during the holiday season, and the weather, which in all but the more northerly climes, is perfect for this activity.

Tope

 

Part of the holiday celebrations in Costa Rica, is the Tope. These events are held throughout the year but Gran Tope Nacional, held in early November, marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is the country’s largest celebration of horses. The most important event is the horse parade, which features thousands of horses and riders displaying their  beautiful horses, riding skills, trick riding, and specially traditionally designed riding outfits. On December 26th, the Festejos Populares again features thousands of horses, delighting the spectators  along the streets with high stepping horses and colorfully dressed riders.

Christmas at the Races

 

Horse racing has been a equine tradition of the holidays for many. Watching horse racing over the holiday season is a tradition for many in Britain, Ireland, Australian, and the USA. In Canada, harness racing often continues during the winter months, despite the snow and cold, and holiday racing packages with racing, dinner and dancing are often available.

Christmas Horse Shows

 

While in many places, the horse show season is long over, and rings and cross-country courses are covered in snow, The Olympia Horse Show bills itself as the  World’s Best Equestrian Christmas Party. The event is held in the Olympia Exhibition Centre Hammersmith,  London in the week before Christmas. The program includes dressage, special demonstrations, jumping, including the Puissance—a high jumping competition and extreme driving competitions.