March 3, 2010

Kenzie and I were killing some time last night looking at videos and found one that reminded us a little bit of our drill team performances. It's choreographed to music and timing is extremely important; other than it's absolutely nothing like what we do. But it's incredible — prepare to be amazed! Check it out here.

March 1, 2010

I know this will be hard to believe, but I saw two robins yesterday. They looked so cold and hungry out in the pasture covered with snow.  But they're here, so it must mean spring is not far away.

And if you want a good laugh, here's a funny video with a cat, a bird, and snowballs. 

February 24, 2010

Living with worms - yuck! Or is this something we're going to have to get accustomed? Even though it doesn't seem like it, spring, and worm season, are coming. But here's an interesting article about different plans of deworming attack. Check it out — I always say that behind every informed human is a happy horse.

February 21, 2010

Do you wonder why we don't always pick up the canter when you ask us? Or why we lope too fast? Julie Goodnight has some insight into the reason. I swear that woman was a horse in a previous life! Anyway, read all about it here.

February 15, 2010

There are new pictures of us here.

February 14, 2010

You know, I have a secret. It's been bothering me for awhile and I think I need to tell it. It's about my human. She's not that smart.

Now don't get me wrong – it's not like she's totally untrainable. But we've been together over 4 years and there are a few things that she still does not get. 

Like making smaller circles when we're riding instead of staying on the rail. Every time we go around, I try to move to the inside so I don't have to travel as far, but do you think she would learn? Nope, she just moves me back to the rail.

And she doesn't listen to me when I tell her we're done. No matter how I try to get the point across, she just blindly keeps on riding me.

I've been using natural humanship techniques on her. They were invented by Ray, a Hunt seat horse, who was having problems with his human. And they do work – she's learned to hand-feed me my hay if she decides to saddle me in my stall during dinner time. All I have to do is look at her and she will grab some hay for me. So that's good.

But when I'm carrying her around, it's almost like she thinks she's in charge. Silly human! But I'm nothing if not patient, so I'll keep working with her. I don't think it's time to advertise for a new a human. It's not like she's dangerous. Just a little dense.

February 13, 2010

"Is your cat making too much noise all the time? Is your cat always stomping around, driving you crazy?" Then check out this video, Kitten Mittons. Hysterical!

We showed it to our cats, Snowball, Sinbad, and Freddie, and they didn't enjoy it. But then, cats aren't known for their senses of humor.

February 11, 2010

Well, we weren't the only ones to feel the earthquake – Garth and his herd did, too. He sent me an e-mail about it:

"Hay Pippi!

Long time, no see!  So you were talking about that earthquake . . .  well, I'm quite sure I knew about that one before it happened.  See, yesterday, I was outside . . . like I am most days . . . and Lily was outside with me.  I don't know where Ladybug was . . . hmmm . . .  I wonder where Ladybug was . . . she usually sticks pretty close to me.  Anyway, I'm getting off subject here - back to the earthquake and my amazing ability to predict that something was going to happen. 

So, Lily and I were just standing outside working on our tans when we both felt something . . . well, maybe not really 'felt' something, more like 'sensed' something.  Couldn't really tell what it was, but it sure felt like something was going to happen . . . and we were nervous as could be.  Tried running around a bit.  Tried digging for grass in the pasture.  Tried rolling in the snow.  Nothing worked.  Still felt like something was going to happen.

Anyway, a little later dinner was served and we nervously chewed (Ladybug didn't seem to notice anything was amiss).  Then, while everyone else was sleeping, SOMETHING happened!  I thought the whole barn was going to come down.  I knew I could get out, and could get the ponies out too, but what about our hay???  Having our entire food supply buried in rubble would be really bad.  Thankfully, before I could get very far with that thought, the rumbling stopped.  And so did my nervousness.  Whew!  It wasn't so bad after all.  We all survived.  And so did my hay.  So we're all happy here.

Hope things are back to normal in your neck of the woods.  And I hope that this white stuff melts soon so I can come visit.  I miss all my friends at BZ.  Please tell everyone Hi for me.  And, if you can get close enough, give Bravo a hug for me.  And don't forget to tell him that it's from his dear friend, Garth.

Hope to see you all soon -
Garth"

I'll tell Bravo you said hi, Garth. But if I can get close enough for a hug, it's coming from me!

February 10, 2010

OMG, OMG, did you feel the earthquake this morning? We sure did. Kenzie, Sophie, and I were talking about how soon breakfast was going to be served and suddenly, all of the bridles and halters that are hung up around our stalls started rattling. I looked at Kenzie and it looked like she was trembling. And Simon started yelling that it was the end of the world! But it wasn’t. Luckily the earth stopped moving and we had something else to talk about besides breakfast. Which wasn’t served soon enough, if you ask me.

February 9, 2010

 Haiku by Pippi 

Train whistle blowing
the wisdom of miles traveled.
Winter morning song.

February 7, 2010

 Ok, everyone knows fiber is good. But can there be too much fiber? For horses? You betcha. And then bad stuff happens, like impaction colic. Not fun. Read about the importance of fiber in hay here.

February 5, 2010

 Haiku by Pippi 

White and cold drifts down
muffling the volume of life.
How I hate you, snow.

February 5, 2010

 Looking for something to do? You should read our Calendar of Events page. It's got local and national horse-related events for the entire year. 

February 1, 2010

We've been talking around the fences here about the earthquake in Haiti. We read things online and hear you humans talking about it and it sounds very serious. Humans are suffering and that's not good. And unfortunately what affects humans also affects the animals. Sophie's really upset about that; she's very sensitive, you know. I found an article about the Haitian animals and thought it was a very good account of what's going on there. You can read it here.

January 31, 2010

Have you voted in our new poll? It's a good one! Make your opinion known here.

January 29, 2010

Here's a picture of my new friend Kenzie. She does kind of look like Story, doesn't she? I call her Second Story sometimes, but she doesn't really like that. Actually, I should call her Half-a-Story since she's so skinny. Not that Story's fat but, you know, just sayin.

January 28, 2010

So are you a fan of nylon or rope halters? Personally, I like a nice rope halter. They're stylish, very light, and don't detract from my pretty face. And they're definitely better than using a chain. With those there's constant pressure. But don't take my word for it. Read this article from one of my favorite horse trainers, Julie Goodnight.

January 26, 2010

Think horses can't burp or even vomit? Think again! You should read the article here.

January 25, 2010

This really is a special day because my cousin, Sundae, remembered my birthday! She sent me an e-mail:

"Happy Birthday to you ..... Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday, Dear Pippi....  Happy Birthday to you. Hi cousin,  I still sing the old birthday song.  I made my human take me out in the snow to eat grass in honor of your birthday.  Hope your day is full of carrots, apples and fun frolicking.  
Love you! 
Sundae"

That makes so happy!

January 25, 2010

Today is a very special day. The most special day of all. Yes, it's my birthday! Happy birthday to meeeeee!

I am 15 years old today. Some people think that's old, but don't listen to them. I'm just hitting my prime. I'm still athletic, full of fun, and able to move all the other mare's feet whenever I want. I gots it going on!

I wonder if Bravo got me a present? Or if Story remembers? This is my first birthday without her.

Ok, no time to get sad. It's time to sing the birthday song. Everybody:

We're gonna party like it's your birfday, sip apple cider like it's your birfday. yeah, we're gonna party like it's your birfday and we don't care cuz it's your birfday!

January 24, 2010

Hello, Humans, where did you put the sun? Please bring it back. Soon. Miss it.

Kenzie and I have been looking at videos, dreaming of going on vacation. Check out this video of the Wild Horses of Corolla, North Carolina. It looks like they're having fun on the beach.

January 19, 2010

Wooo Hoooo! Rachel Alexandra is Horse of the Year. Fillies rule, geldings drool! Click here for details.

January 17, 2010

You won't believe who was here for a visit – Mistie. Yep, the evil mare that puts fear in the hearts of even the most dominant of head mares. I couldn't believe it when I saw her; I started trembling a little, but then Kenzie got all freaked out because she's never seen Mistie before so I had to be brave. It was hard.

She and Merlin came over with their human for a little exercise. Merlin tried to dig a whole to China while he was tied up, but he has tying issues anyway. I have to say, though, that Mistie was OK. And she's got a nasty case of rain rot on her butt that just won't go away. Hard to keep up that evil image when a human is picking at rain-rot scabs. Kenzie and I had a little nicker about that!

Luckily, Mistie stayed in the barn while Kenzie and I had to go carry our humans around and around. But Merlin came over to the arena and he was looking good! He's a beautiful color and so shiny. I like a shiny gelding. He even showed off for Kenzie and I. And I think Kenzie was a little smitten! She kept making eyes at him in the arena as he loped around. I stayed true to Bravo, though. Look up loyalty in the dictionary and you'll see my picture.

January 10, 2010

I heard from my cousin, Sundae. Sounds like she got Christmas presents. Hello, human, I don't remember a present from you — you must be a scrooge. At least Sundae has a good human.

Here's her e-mail:

"Hey cousin, Happy New Year! 

The thoroughbreds have quit making fun of my fuzzy coat since it got so cold here. If one of you ordered this cold weather, I am ready for you to cancel the order!  I don't really mind 20 degree weather but this 0 at night is annoying. I hate frozen whiskers. 

Anyway, I hope you all had a good holiday.  I got a bag of apples from Bugs — he's this overweight appie at the barn.  And I got a bunch of carrots from George — he's a youngin.  Thinks humans play like horses.  Hasn't figured out humans are fragile, yet.  He always wants to half rear and kick out.  He'll learn one day. His human is pretty saucy and doesn't cut him much slack.

I gave my human warm wool socks. I wanted to make sure she doesn't use the cold as an excuse not to come take care of me.

I think George is wanting to use the computer, so I better go. 

Nickers and Whinnies to all,
 
Sundae"

January 3, 2010

Well, Kenzie must have gotten a laptop for Christmas because I'm getting e-mails from her now. You know, she's not so bad. I'm not sure I'll ever be as good of friends with her like I was with Story, but Kenzie kind of looks up to me, which is way cool. She asks me questions. And she seems to understand how wise of a head mare I really am. She's a smart one, that Kenzie.

Here's her e-mail:

"Hay Pippi,
 What’s a new year’s resolution? My human mentioned something about getting me to lope slower. But why? Going fast is so much fun!
 
Kenzie"

Going fast is fun until you realize that these humans just don't go away. Over and over we have to carry them around. It gets old. So enjoy it while you can, Kenzie; you will slow down. Just wait until drill-team practice.