Contrary to popular belief, reindeer don’t just live in the North Pole. In fact, you can meet a reindeer in real life at this one and only reindeer farm in VT! The Vermont Reindeer Farm is located in West Charleston in the NEK and these guys are as loved by their owners as much as Santa loves his own magical deer. Take a trip there yourself this ho-ho-holiday season!
The only reindeer in Vermont came to live at the Broe’s farm a few years back. Things got magical at this family farm pretty quickly!
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All the animals at this farm are clearly loved.
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And now the Christmas spirit is alive all year long at the Vermont Reindeer Farm.
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Did you know that reindeer can actually be pretty shy?
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But there are lots of other friendly animals on the farm.
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And they sure know how to make people smile!
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At the Vermont Reindeer Farm you’ll hear all sorts of stories that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
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For instance, the lovely owner, Pauline, may point out the flat rock where Comet tips his head back when he’s ready to shed the velvet off his antlers.
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She tells the children that’s where he goes to look up for Santa.
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It’s pure Christmas Magic!
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If you don’t make it to see the reindeer at the farm, you may see them in other places over the holiday season.
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They’re even available to hire for private events!
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Here is Prancer taking a stroll down Church Street in Burlington.
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The farm also has trails that are great for snowshoeing which is super fun.
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While we’re familiar with reindeers as an important part of the holiday tales, what else do we really know about these creatures?
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Get a load of this: their noses are specially designed to warm the air before it gets to their lungs!
Facebook/Vermont Reindeer Farm Also, reindeer hooves are able to adapt to the seasons. In the summer, their footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction when the ground is soft and wet. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep it from slipping.
There are some subspecies that have tendons in their ankles that make a clicking noise while walking. This way they can stay together in a blizzard. Cool!
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The name “reindeer” has nothing to do with the reins of Santa’s Sleigh. It is actually from an old Norse word “hreinn” for deer.
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Did you know that reindeer can run 50 miles per hour!
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Typically reindeer are about 4-5 feet tall not including their antlers. Their antlers are 3 feet tall!
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Lastly, reindeer can weigh anywhere between 240-700 pounds! Be sure to leave out extra treats this Christmas Eve!
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Follow the Vermont Reindeer Farm on their Facebook Page and be sure to check ahead before you go. Their number is (802) 754-9583 and they are located at 3108 Chilafoux Road in West Charleston.
Facebook/Vermont Reindeer Farm
Also, reindeer hooves are able to adapt to the seasons. In the summer, their footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction when the ground is soft and wet. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep it from slipping.
If you enjoy this reindeer farm in VT, you won’t want to miss this heartwarming – and highly unusual – true love story!
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