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Celebrating Christmas For The Horses
An Old Custom in Boston Many Years Ago
This is a story about horses.
Horses are wonderful companions and many of us that love our dogs, also have horses in our lives.
Every little girl’s dream is for a pony.
Over the years horses have endured all kinds of treatment. Sadly, today, some horses are not cared for the way they should be.
Where would this country be if there were no horses 200 years ago?
There are probably not too many people alive today that were in Boston or surrounding areas in 1916, that were familiar with the celebration of Christmas for the horses.
Maybe this a family story that was told to you by grandparents or great grandparents.
A Mr. George Thorndike Angell, who in the 1860’s was an attorney, humanitarian and the founder of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, felt the need to do something to educate people, especially children, to be kind to animals.
This idea was formed after a great horse race was held in 1868 and two of the finest horses in the state were literally driven to death over a 40 mile stretch of rough roads in the wintry month of February.
