Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the barn
Not a horsey was stirring
Throughout all the farm


The stockings were hung
By the stall doors with care
In hopes that horsey treats
Soon would be there


The riders at home
All snug in their beds
With thoughts of blue ribbons
Dancing in their heads


With Misty in the aisle
And Starlight by her side
The barn settled down
For a cold winter's night


When out in the paddock
There arose such a ruckus
Jen sprang from her bed
To see what the fuss-was


Away to the window
She flew with a fright
Hoping and wondering
That everything was alright!


Outside it was silent
No sound from the road
The goose was quiet
Because of the cold


When what should Jen see
As she looked out the pane
But the shadow of a horse
Trotting down the lane


Even with the light
Being so dim
She knew with a glance
It was the spirit of Jim!


Seeing his friends
Made him want to exclaim
So he whinnied and nickered
And called them by name


"Hi Toe! Hi Pepper!
Hi Damon! Hi Red!
Hi Tiny! Hi Junior!
You all look well fed!"


From the beginning of the aisle
To the end of the stalls
All of the horses
Answered his calls


Jen ran to the barn
To get a better view
She felt in her heart
It was too good to be true!


She peeked around the corner
Feeling like a spy
Jim turned and looked at her
And nickered a "Hi!"


Jim had a blanket
Made out of fur
And who would have guessed
Something like this would occur!


A bundle of treats
He had flung on his back
He looked like Santa Claus
Just opening his sack


His eyes -- how they twinkled
His coat -- how it glowed
His hooves were white
All coverd in snow


The star on his forehead
Was a sparkling white
It looked so beautiful
Glittering in the moonlight


The stump of a carrot
He held tight in his teeth
Gave him something to snack on
If he decided to eat


His flaxen mane and tail
Were soft and hay-free
And there were no tangles
As far as she could see


That was Jim
With a heart so pure
The horses would be spoiled
This year for sure!


He made not a sound
But went straight to the stalls
he filled all the stocking
That were hung on the walls


One last look around the barn
Did he take
Just to be sure
He had made no mistakes


He pranced down the aisle
And out to the lane
Saying to his buddies
"I will come again!"


Jen heard him exclaim
As he trotted out of sight

"Merry Christmas, Windermere Friends,
And to all a good night!"