Singing in the Saddle spreads Christmas cheer

Last Saturday, horses and wagons departing from the city park journeyed to local nursing homes and beyond to spread Christmas cheer and Bandera cowboy spirit.

The event, dubbed Singing in the Saddle, is an annual event organized to bring Christmas carol singers to local nursing/rehab centers, albeit with an authentic Bandera twist.

Locations visited this year included Cedar Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation as well as Bandera Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Locals showed up on decorated horses, in wagons, via car and on foot to the locations, smiling, signing and waving as an example of Bandera hospitality.

Event organizer Debra Slate, who owns Wagon Rides of Bandera, said the event’s goal is to make residents smile at every facility.

“Often times while riding between stops we will see people taking pictures and kids smiling from the car,” recalled Slate. “We wave and say Merry Christmas!”

A touching moment at the Cedar Creek location last Saturday saw a senior woman in a wheelchair slowly touch the nose of a horse named Nemo.

Afterwards, Nemo moved slowly to the woman and put its nose in the woman’s lap, making the senior cry with happiness.

Slate said after the event concluded, the group gathered to enjoy a potluck.

“This year, TJ’s at the Old Forge restaurant donated the chili, and it was delicious,” she said.