...and on the third day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.

Folks, let's make sure that your buddy has a great Christmas by giving him some good Vet care and TLC.

Make sure his teeth are floated (filed) and give him good quality hay to munch on.

No mold or old, and dispense a good paste wormer for him.

Keep ice out of buckets and troughs, as he likes his New Year's drinks to be straight up, not on the rocks.

A nice sweet feed works well this time of year, as it is tasty and has protein and fat.

Clean, dry bedding is always appreciated by your animals, as everyone likes a nice, soft place to sleep.

Check on dogs kept outdoors; they need fresh water also, and give them some nice clean straw in a dry house.

A chewy bone would be a good gift, so they have something to do during the daytime.

PA anti-cruelty law for animals mandates that all animals have shelter, "enough to go in, turn around, and lie down, out of the elements, with access to food and water."

Take an extra moment to give a dog, cat or your horse an extra pat on the head and a kind word; you never know when they'll be gone for good.

You, too, will be old some day and you will appreciate a dry house with food, water and a nice bed.

Please review my horsey columns, "The Kiss of Life," and "The Trouble with Miss Lucy," on the web.

Do the true Christmas-spirit and give a bag and some canned food gift to an animal shelter; the Stray Haven is in Mercer County, Kitten Care and Rescue is in Andover, OH, and the Anna Shelter is in Erie County.

Even anonymous food drop-offs at neighbors or farms with lots of animals is a good thing.

Materialistic toys don't develop your spirit, but random acts of kindness always do.

I sure do appreciate everyone reading "Horsin' Around," ; the pleasure has been entirely mine and I hope that everyone has a Blessed Christmas and New Year.

Leaving you for the last time in 2011, to sleigh bells, mistletoe and the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, "Happy Trails to You."