When Santa Claus squeezed down Edwin and Ruth Ann Holt’s chimney this past Christmas, he carried one heavy bag and a barn for the Holt’s five children.

Ruthie Love Holt, 9, and her siblings Sidney, 6, Cole, 8, Sam, 4, and Caleb, 2, received two pregnant mare miniature horses named Butterscotch and Peaches that they keep at the family’s business Holt Dental Clinic on U.S. 61 South.

Ruth Ann, who has had horses all of her life, wanted to share her love for the animals with her children.

“They’re little horses for little girls,” she said. “They’re just precious.”

Along with the two mares, they’ve also had donated to them a miniature donkey named Scooter and another miniature mare named Buffy.

And five weeks ago the newest addition arrived, Butterscotch’s colt they named Buckaroo who stands about 2-feet tall.

Ruthie Love said Buckaroo has been curious about everything since he was born. She recalled a story about a time he got into the chicken pen and chased the chickens around the pasture, and how he’ll get random bolts of energy and run as fast as he can.

“He’s so funny,” she said.

Ruth Ann, who’s never had miniature horses until now, said she would have loved them as a child.

“I may be living a childhood fantasy, but it’s been awesome watching my children with them.”

Besides the foal that Peaches will soon deliver, the Holt’s also have two more additions on the way. In six months they will be receiving two miniature zebras that will roam the pasture next to the dental clinic for patients and passersby to watch.