AUSTIN, Texas -- You may have heard of a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but in Austin, our Santa rides a Mule. Leave the sleigh at home.

Samuel Grey Horse has made it his mission to make people happy.

Known as the 6th Street Cowboy, you can catch him riding his mule, Mula, through downtown Austin during the year. At nights, you can see him singing on stage. On Wednesday nights he sings about his animals with music duo The Greyhounds at C-Boys on South Congress. He does all of these things to accomplish his mission.

During the holidays his efforts ramp up. After Thanksgiving he hands over the reins of his mule to a hollier, jollier rider. All the way up until Christmas, the 6th Street Cowboy is replaced by Santa Claus as he rides Mula through town bringing holiday cheer everywhere he goes. Grey Horse said it’s his calling.

“I have to,” he said as he was gearing up for a ride. “It gives people hope and it makes people happy.”

Grey Horse delivers that hope as he rides, taking pictures with the people he meets and visiting events around the city. He made the holiday rides tradition after he saw the impact his act had on people.

“I had a lady tell me once, crying, ‘I was about to commit suicide till I saw you ride by me,’” Grey Horse said. “From that day four years ago I really put my energy in this because I’m supposed to do this for the universe.”

He knows from personal experience how important positive outlook can be to someone going through rough times. He was in a terrible accident 10 years ago after being dragged by his horse after falling. The injuries were life-threatening. 

"I broke my neck and back, collapsed two lungs and cracked my skull. Broke 12 ribs," Grey Horse said. "They said I would never ride again or talk correctly."

Grey Horse didn't let his accident stop him, and he has been on his mission to make people happy ever since. Now you can catch him on the stage or in the saddle, making people smile and singing about his animals. 

"Come Thanksgiving I'm looking forward to being Santa Claus to make people happy," he said.