Mistletoe + Mares = Merry Christmas?

Mistletoe + Mares = Merry Christmas?

Don’t try this at home … but it sure is cute.

Check out this vintage Budweiser Clydesdales television spot, featuring a pair of doting draft horses in their Christmas-decked barn.

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Homer and Kitty are absolutely adorable in this 2007 video, as they meet one another under the mistletoe on a wintry night.

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Mistletoe is poisonous to horses.

Peppermint candy canes may be a favorite equine holiday treat, particularly when broken into bite-sized pieces (to prevent possible choking). So go ahead and give your favorite horse a minty candy delight this Christmas.

But hold the mistletoe.

Mistletoe is also toxic to cattle, dogs and many other animals.

This white-berried leathery-leaved plant is commonly known as “thief of the tree” (for its parasitic qualities). Perhaps ironically, mistletoe is part of the plant order known as SANTAlales. Even so, this poison plant has no place around ponies (or other equines).

So, although mistletoe may be the kissing plant at Christmastime, it can also be the kiss of death for horses and a host of other creatures.

For more information:

Many Plants and Flowers May Be Fatal to Felines

Beware of Flowers that May Poison Your Dog

What Plants Are Most Poisonous for Horses?

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Image/s:

Mistletoe – US Government Photo – Public Domain

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Giddy-Up with Gomer Pyle, and Jingle All the Way!

Giddy-Up with Gomer Pyle, and Jingle All the Way!

Remember Jim Nabors, who played the title role of Gomer Pyle on the 1960s black-and-white television comedy series? Actually, he got his start on The Andy Griffith Show.

Well, Jim Nabors was actually best known in his day as a singer. Just for fun, here’s his much-played version of “Jingle Bells,” a familiar song to horse lovers and others.

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Nabors’ version of the Christmas classic is somewhat different than the usual one we all sang in early elementary school.

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How many verses of “Jingle Bells” do you know?

Here are the lyrics to “Jingle Bells, as we know them. Are you aware of any additional verses? If so, please cite those lines in a comment (below).

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh;
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob tails ring,
Making spirits bright.
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

CHORUS:
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh.

CHORUS

A day or two ago,
I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side.
The horse was lean and lank;
Misfortune seemed his lot.
We got into a drifted bank,
And then we got upsot.

CHORUS

A day or two ago,

The story I must tell

I went out on the snow,

And on my back I fell;

A gent was riding by

In a one-horse open sleigh,

He laughed as there I sprawling lie,

But quickly drove away.

CHORUS

Now the ground is white;

Go it while you're young.

Take the girls tonight,

and sing this sleighing song;

Just get a bobtailed bay.

Two forty as his speed.

Hitch him to an open sleigh,

And crack! You'll take the lead.

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Merry Christmas to you and those you love … from The Mane Point!

For more information:

Falling Camel Steals the Show in Florida Church Christmas Pageant

12 Christmas Tree Safety Tips for Cat Owners

Top 10 Famous Poems for Christmas Cards

Image/s:

Vintage Sleigh Ride Artwork

Public Domain

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