WINSTON WEEKLY©[1]

December 28, 2025

Vol. 3, No. 52

OH WHAT FUN[2]

Despite the evolution of travel, sleigh rides remain a fun and magical way to enjoy the wonders of winter. When snow silenced horse hooves or fog made them hard to see, jingle bells were added to warn others of the oncoming sleighs. Jingle bells remain part of today’s winter traditions.

Given their strength and calm demeanor, Percherons, Clydesdales, and Norwegian Fjords are often used to pull sleighs. The Fjord is smaller than Percherons and Clydesdales, with a history dating back more than 4,000 years. Although small in stature at 13.2 to 14.2 hands (54-58 inches), they are hearty and strong. Clydesdales and Percherons are between 15 and 19 hands and weigh more than 1,800 pounds.

In 1933, author Louis Broomfield wrote about his childhood memories of sleigh rides, stating in part: “The winter journeys were the best of all…. The bells jingled and the horses trotted and the snow fell, melting upon cheeks and nose and lips, and in the evening when the moonlight struck the banks of snow they were no longer banks of snow, but of diamonds.”

Given the rich history of horse-drawn sleighs, how did reindeer become part of “Santa’s sleigh ride?” The first mention of a reindeer pulling a sleigh is believed to be from an anonymous author in the early 1800s who wrote:

          Old Santeclause with much delight

          His reindeer drives this frosty night.

          O’er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,

          To bring his yearly gifts to you.

In 1823, Clement Moore wrote the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” depicting the “miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer.” More than a century later, Rudolph became the famous ninth reindeer, the result of a promotion for the Montgomery Ward department store.

WEEKLY ACTIVITY

If you had a memorable sleigh ride, share the story with a child, or visit with a child or a group of children about creating a memorable sleigh ride. Would you or they prefer a horse-drawn or reindeer-drawn ride? Where would you go and what would you like to see?

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[1] A Sunday newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles to be shared with the appropriate attribute.

[2]Resources: The Forgotten Life of Sleigh Bells, Nov. 1, 2023, www.groverpro.com; Timothy Brian McKee, The Richland Album: Sleigh Rides, www.richlandcountyhistory.com; Top Five Largest Horse Breeds, Discover the Majestic Giants of the Equine World, Aug. 15, 2024,  www.equineinstitute.org; Christmas Night, Inc., The Origins of Santa’s Sleigh and Reindeer, July 25, 2012, www.christmasnightinc.com; Susan Green, Horse Drawn Sleighs, 2^nd Edition, Astragal Press.