A Pony for Christmas - a True Story

A Pony for Christmas –a True Story.

By Susie E. Caron © 12/22/2014

I prayed for two things as a child. First, I wanted a pony, every day of my young life. My parents tried to tell me that I couldn’t have one, but I prayed for a pony every birthday, holiday and especially at Christmas. I also prayed to get married and become a Mommy.

I grew up in a small suburb in NJ, just east of Philadelphia. Our Dutch colonial home sat on a small yard with its own driveway and tiny, detached garage. I understand now, that there was no room for a pony, but not back then. I just knew that if I prayed and believed, God would somehow deliver a pony to me. My parents grew concerned about my prayers. They explained that the hay and supplies needed to feed a pony would not fit in our garage. Nothing they said overrode my faith in God and His love for me. I just knew that God keeps His promise to answer our prayers. I anticipated He would answer mine.

In exasperation, my parents finally invited our pastor over to speak with me. He explained that God always answers every prayer, but that He would not go against my parents’ wishes and God would not oppose their decision. I understood, but I also knew that God would answer my prayers somehow, someday.

After college, I married. My husband and I moved from state to state following our careers. We both wanted a small farm, so in 1973, we bought a camp to renovate and erected a barn. My prayer for ‘a pony’ appeared to be answered when we began purchasing horses. Over the years we bought more horses and in 1984 I started a boarding stable. In the 10 years that followed, I opened and operated a riding school. But that’s not the end of this story.

One winter day, just before Christmas, in the early 1980’s, a huge 18 wheeled horse- shipping truck pulled up just outside our Vermont farm. I anticipated its arrival, but nothing prepared me for what I would see.  I heard its air brakes first, but as I jumped up to look, the exterior, flashing lights made it appear more like a UFO had landed. I grabbed my coat and hurried into the crisp, cold night air. The stars were out but obscured by the brilliant lights from the van.

A man climbed down from the driver’s side and sauntered toward the mid-section of the vehicle. He pushed on something and a large ramp, hinged at the bottom, slowly lowered itself, until the top bumped hard on the ground. Warm lights illuminated the interior with its hay and pine shavings strewn about on the floor.  I could see parts of stalls and woven butt gates, closed to keep the occupants in their own places, but nothing stirred. No swinging tails could be seen or horses heard neighing or stomping in anticipation. Tonight it seemed empty.

The man said, “Hi there.” And added “This is my last stop today. I asked “Have you brought something for me?” He nodded, disappeared into the van and returned, in stark silhouette. The man and a shaggy creature, with a white mane and tail, walked through the generous opening & ‘trip-trapped’ down the ramp. This surreal moment ended when the man handed me the lead rope and some papers to sign. I thanked him. He nodded, turned off the interior lights, climbed back into the cab and drove away. Excited, and tired, I settled the tiny pony into her 12x12 box stall with sweet hay and water. Then I returned to our house and crawled into bed, but I barely slept.

The next day I couldn’t wait for my kids to wake up.  I told them, simply, that there was something new in the barn. They quickly dressed to see what it was. We walked through the rambling house, the tack room, and into the adjacent barn. Inside, I turned on the lights. My son’s horse and his stable mates called to us from their stalls, but the pony didn’t make a sound. I couldn’t see her either.  Momentarily I wondered if I had only dreamed of her last night, or if something awful had happened.  I didn’t say anything but I worried a bit about what I’d find when I opened the door to the stall. My worries appeared needless, because inside, at the far back wall stood the little Shetland.  She casually turned her head to look at us with her liquid brown eyes. Our kids could see her now through the open stall door.

My 5 year old daughter spoke first, “Oh, look! Look. A pony.”

I asked, “What do you think? Do you like her?”

She said “Yes. Whose is it?”

I replied, “She is yours, if you’d like to have her.”

She said “For me?”

I said “Yes. She is here for you.”

With that, my daughter hurried into the stall and wrapped her arms around the pony’s neck. My son joined her and together they stroked her shaggy, winter coat.

As they talked to the pony and with each other, a wave of love and gratitude arose within me. I realized that God had indeed answered both of my childhood prayers. He did bring me the pony, for which I’d dreamed and prayed, and He also answered my second prayer – to make me a Mommy – when He entrusted me with these two beautiful children.


        “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyful mother of children.                                                                           Praise the Lord.” Psalm 113:9

      "Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus                                               concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:17&18.

Merry Christmas

Twee’ Means You & Me

Susie E. Caron

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