by Donna DuBois, MHHA

Scarborough, ME — With a “full field” of harness horses, both active and retired, miniature horses, and yes, two very well-behaved goats, members of Maine harness racing and SPHO Maine reached out to the community with their third annual Caroling on Horseback, held Monday (Dec. 7) at both Scarborough Terrace Assisted Living Community and ME Veteran’s Homes-Scarborough.

Dawn Gray photo

Members of Maine harness racing and SPHO Maine reached out to the community with their third annual Caroling on Horseback.

Enjoying candy canes, Christmas cards, singing Christmas songs, and petting the animals were on the agenda for the residents.

Presented with an unseasonably mild December day, riders on horseback and their helpers gathered in front of each facility to sing, allowing time afterwards for residents to enjoy the animals if they so chose.

“Bringing the horses to our facility is a real treat for our residents who would otherwise not have the opportunity to see these beautiful animals in person,” stated Scarborough Terrace activities coordinator Elizabeth Simonds. “They talk about it for days after.”

The carolers also find it very rewarding to see the joy this event brings to both residents and staff.

Both care facilities and the caroling equestrians are looking forward to the next venture in 2016.