Ho, Ho, Oh No? Horse Home Defends Santa Against Online Scrooges

The Home of Rest for Old Horses has hit back at criticism of its Santa’s Grotto, proving even Father Christmas isn’t safe from a bit of festive drama on the Isle of Man.

The charity’s annual Christmas Spectacular, which kicked off on December 14, has been a family favourite for years.

Featuring twinkling festive lights, adorable donkeys, and a chance to meet Santa himself, it’s a must-visit for islanders looking to sprinkle a little Christmas magic.

But some Grinches in the Facebook group “Families of Mann” have taken issue with this year’s Santa, claiming his beard was ‘falling off’ and that he ‘didn’t engage with the kids’.

Others raised concerns about organisation, noting the charity was advertising for a Santa after tickets to meet him were already on sale.

Horse Home Fights Back

In a post brimming with Christmas cheer and a sprinkle of sass, the charity defended its Santa, calling him a ‘kind, selfless man’ who has volunteered his time to help make the event special.

‘We are extremely saddened and somewhat hurt by this thread’, they wrote.

‘Our volunteers and minimal staff work up to 12-14 hour shifts to bring this event to you.’

They went on to explain how Santa delegation works: ‘The real Santa is somewhat busy this time of year, so he delegates lots of different Santas to visit children and report back to him. It’s up to us, and you as parents, to allow the children to believe.’

The post ended with a plea for kindness and a solution for anyone feeling let down: ‘If you do have a niggle, come and talk to us. We can grab a hot chocolate and fix it for you so you leave happy.’

Support for Santa

While some comments were less than complimentary, plenty of others came to the defence of the grotto – and Santa.

One parent wrote: ‘We were there on Sunday and it was wonderful! My four-year-old is shy, and Santa gave him space. Nothing wrong with that!’

Another added: ‘We had a fabulous time on Saturday teatime and honestly cannot fault a thing!’

A third said: ‘Take no notice of the no marks. The very large majority know the endless work you do all year round. Christmas up there is spectacular, so chins up!’

Festive Fun Continues

For those still in the festive spirit, the Christmas Spectacular runs until December 22, with weekend hours from 12pm to 6pm and weekdays from 4pm to 8pm.

So, whether you’re team Santa or team Scrooge, one thing’s clear: the Home of Rest for Old Horses knows how to stir up a bit of Christmas cheer – and a Facebook debate to go with it.