Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines will present "Horses and Hot Chocolate, a Holiday Open House" on Sunday, Dec. 4, from noon until 3 p.m.

Attendees will be able to visit with the farm's residents, take photos with Santa and enjoy complimentary refreshments, including hot chocolate and homemade Christmas cookies. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Attendees are invited to use their own cellphones or cameras to take photos with Santa. "The photos with Santa will be in the barn," said Lynn Seeburger, a member of the Ryerss board of managers. "We will have it set up so that children can write letters to Santa. When they get to Santa, they can put their letters in the mailbox and say hello to Santa and get a candy cane."

The Ryerss Gift Shop will be open, offering holiday gifts. "It will be well-stocked," said Seeburger. "We have stuffed animals, Ryerss apparel, candles, coasters, light-up cowboy boot glasses, flashing western pins and jewelry." Also offered for sale will be the 2023 Ryerss Farm calendar.

The Giving Tree will be on display for those who choose to provide financial support to the retired and rescued horses that live at the farm. There will be several options such as a bag of feed or a veterinary visit, with a dollar amount assigned to each card. One of the cards will also ask people to sponsor a horse for one year.

"(We invite people) to give a horse a pedicure or buy a halter," explained Seeburger. "I always ask the kids, 'How would you like to buy a Christmas present for a horse?' They can look at the pictures of the horses and pick one (to sponsor)."

Founded in 1888, Ryerss Farm provides a comfortable retirement for senior horses, donkeys and mules that have faithfully served their former owners or were rescued from abusive situations. The horses at Ryerss are never worked again and spend their remaining days grazing the fields at the property.

"Omen, a little pinto pony, came from a very bad situation. He was abused and when we first got him, you could not even pet him," said Seeburger, adding that Omen now welcomes human contact. "He is a real success story; he is a farm favorite."

In addition to the horses, Ryerss is home to Albert the donkey and Rhubarb, a large potbellied pig, who will all be on hand to visit during the open house. "We have three pigs. They live in the upper barn. Rhubarb is the oldest and the biggest," noted Seeburger. The other pigs are Hamlet and Penny.

For more information about Ryerss or the holiday open house, call 610-469-0533 or visit http://www.ryerssfarm.org or http://www.facebook.com/ryerss.farm. Ryerss Farm, 1710 Ridge Road (Route 23), Pottstown, is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays.