By Pebbles

Well, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go … and at this moment, I am a holiday “horse-guest” with Lee and John Major in Tryon. Knowing of my celebrity status as a columnist, they have gleefully rolled out the red carpet for my stay. Heather is so relieved that I have landed in such a nice place for the winter months ahead.

I have a new job here on this lovely farm. I am keeping the Majors’ two donkeys, Lilly and Claree, company. I delight in filling them in on what has been happening in the Foothills. They clearly don’t get out and about as much as I do. It is also with pleasure that I chase them around so they get some much-needed exercise. You see, I used to gallop around with Inca and Certain to keep my figure in fine shape. These two can use my help around this holiday season when we all tend to overindulge.

By day, I move my companions around a nice hilly pasture, sprinkled with large trees and a comfortable run-in shed. At dusk, Lee has fallen into the proper routine of bringing me in first. I have my own spacious stall here, very similar to my previous digs next to Miss Sophie. The donkeys share a stall just across the aisle. Lee says they always have, so I didn’t displace anyone with my arrival.

The Major clan keeps our stalls full of fragrant pine shavings. I love to roll in these repeatedly. It takes quite a bit of effort for Lee to brush and remove all the shavings that I collect during my beauty rest. My plush tail is one of my most alluring features, along with my luxurious mane. Lee is compelled to tidy me up to look my best as I have visitors to receive. HERD President Stuart Evans, who lives down the lane, is one of my carrot-carrying admirers.

Heather has cautioned me I must be an excellent guest. No “into the woods” escaping this time, or “catch me if you can” games are permitted. Lee and John are being so incredibly gracious to foster me here, I must “toe the line.”

The Major family loves to decorate for the holidays and the barn is no exception. Lilly, Claree and I are lucky to see our stall doors decked with festive trimmings. This countdown to Christmas is full of delicious anticipation. I am told I get one big wish for Christmas.

“What shall I wish for?” I ponder.

Heather has come over to share Good Tidings of Great Joy with what is happening within HERD. First and foremost, Cherokee was adopted by Ivey Sumrell and has the home of his dreams.

HERD also has a special new horse arriving to North Carolina from Texas. A beautiful big gray mare named Miss Lucy. This sweet girl was a victim of Hurricane Harvey. The hunter stable where she performed dressage and jumping as a lesson horse has closed. Three horses owned by the barn were driven to Kaufman ship pen and dumped off with no hope. In the ship pen, the horses do not have their pictures posted so they just go straight to slaughter in Mexico.

Lucky for Miss Lucy, Heather’s friend Amy Douglas saw Lucy and noticed her beauty and gentle eye. Amy climbed into the pen and went to pet her and pick up her feet. Next came the quick phone call to Heather expressing the urgency of this dire situation. No time to fundraise, the full bail had to be paid. Miss Lucy would ship within the hour. The livestock semi-truck was already parked at the lot.

Miss Lucy’s ride to freedom was secured. Amy went to load her into her trailer with the horse she had originally come to transport. But something was wrong. Miss Lucy did not want to leave, she called repeatedly to a lovely bay gelding and a big chestnut mare still in the ship pen. They in turn ran to the edge of the pen answering her pleas of distress. Amy’s stomach churned as she realized they were bonded friends from the same farm. The lot was now officially closed to the public and the chute is opened to load the remaining horses. No time to call Heather, no time to save these two friends. Amy drove off with Miss Lucy hollering in the trailer.  She knew too well where they were headed, as did they.

Once at Amy’s farm, Miss Lucy went out into a big quarantine field. For days, Amy reported she stood under the tree, grieving, head down not grazing or socializing with anyone. She was heartbroken for her friends. Amy was so concerned she brought Lucy up to a smaller holding pen near the house to keep an eye on her. Slowly her spirits improved.

Miss Lucy will be making her way to HERD and is going to go get some refresher work at Amy Barrington’s farm in Tryon. She is a wonderful candidate for someone looking for a seasoned, lovely horse. Hopefully the holiday will be a joyous one for her too. Miss Lucy so deserves it!

That’s it, I have my wish … the gift of a perfect home for Miss Lucy! In fact, maybe she is the answer to someone else’s Christmas wish? •

Pebbles is the “spokespony” for HERD, or Helping Equines Regain Dignity, a local nonprofit that saves equines from dire conditions and in many cases slaughter. She dictates her monthly columns about her adventures and what a rescue organization does to Heather Freeman. Pebbles and Freeman can be reached through HerdRescue.org.

Pebbles’ Eggnog

Serve while decking the halls (and stalls!)
12 servings (about three quarts)

Ingredients:

12 large eggs

1-1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 cups whole milk, divided

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Additional nutmeg, optional

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan, whisk together eggs, sugar and salt. Gradually add 4 cups milk; cook and stir over low heat until a thermometer reads 160°-170°, about 30-35 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a large bowl.

Stir in vanilla, nutmeg and remaining milk. Place bowl in an ice-water bath, stirring until milk mixture is cool. (If mixture separates, process in a blender until smooth.) Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.

To serve, beat cream until soft peaks form. Whisk gently into cooled milk mixture. If desired, sprinkle with additional nutmeg before serving.

Pebbles’ Note: Eggnog may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days. Whisk before serving. Add some spirits to make it more festive.  You should typically stick with dark, amber-colored spirits with a higher proof, such as Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, E & J VSOP Brandy or Maker’s Mark Bourbon. The spiced liqueur and higher alcohol content will neutralize the eggnog’s sweetness.