Austin’s beloved horseback Santa, Samuel Grey Horse, has returned to his festive routine after a challenging year. Known for spreading holiday cheer while riding his trusty mule and horse, Grey Horse has become a familiar sight outside popular venues like the Paramount Theatre and the Continental Club on South Congress for over a decade.
A Native American resident of Austin, Grey Horse embodies the spirit of Christmas. “I want to give everybody a taste of what I do and what Christmas is to me,” he shares enthusiastically.
However, the year 2025 proved to be particularly tough for him. “Hard year is an understatement,” Grey Horse reflects, recounting a series of unfortunate events that tested his resilience.
In January, a devastating fire consumed his home in a matter of minutes, leaving him with nothing but his animals. This loss forced him to relocate from Austin. The challenges continued when, in November, he lost his beloved horse, Big Red. Compounding his difficulties, Grey Horse has been managing health issues stemming from a riding accident several years prior, resulting in diminished eyesight and complete hearing loss in his left ear.
Amidst such adversity, Grey Horse struggled with feelings of doubt, questioning the purpose behind his efforts. “Why am I doing this? Nobody cares,” he admitted during his darkest moments.
Yet, as December approached, he felt a renewed sense of hope. “I follow my heart, not my head,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to spreading joy during the holiday season.
The community’s support was palpable, as friends and strangers alike rallied to help him through a GoFundMe campaign. “When my house burned down, people that would never talk to me helped me,” he expressed gratefully.
Mackenzie Mitchell, an employee at the Continental Club, described Grey Horse as a symbol of Austin, noting the deep connections he has forged over the years. “He’s left an indelible mark on certain people and their lives,” Mitchell remarked, highlighting the love that the community has for him.
Now residing in Lockhart, Grey Horse has found a new home thanks to the kindness of a woman named Joan Havard, who offered him a place to stay in exchange for helping with her 105-acre ranch. This newfound stability allows him to live with his horses, cats, pigs, and his mule, Mula, while also being close to his granddaughters with whom he enjoys making music.
While he once rode his horse directly from his backyard in Austin, Grey Horse now borrows trucks to make the journey back to the city. A generous friend even gifted him a truck with over 267,000 miles to aid his travels.
The loss of Big Red was a profound blow for Grey Horse, who referred to the horse as his soul companion. He cherished the bond they shared, especially as Big Red reminded him of the healing power of animals following a near-fatal accident. At 34, Big Red had lived a long life, and while Grey Horse also has Mula, aged 27, and Big TX, aged 33, he is acutely aware that their time may be limited.
In the wake of Big Red’s passing, the community stepped up once more. A friend presented him with a 15-month-old horse currently in training, and another individual sold him three young horses at a reduced price. Though wild, he is determined to train them for riding.
Despite the personal challenges he faces, Grey Horse is resolute in his mission to bring smiles to strangers and share the joy of Christmas. “I grew up at a time when Christmas meant something totally different than it does now,” he reflected. “I try to bring back what I used to know Christmas was: a time when people weren’t fighting so much.”
His holiday tradition serves to remind people of the rich history and presence of Native Americans in the region, stating, “Me riding through the streets or riding from Lockhart to Austin is an indigenous feat for me. Going through traffic, I’m on a journey.”
