April 30, 2007 Dear Sundae, Good luck at your new home. We're going to miss you (although I won't miss the way you'd run me around sometimes). Hope the grass is green, the treats are plentiful, and the horses are nice down in Urbana. And have fun with your kid, Liz. I bet she's going to be soooo happy that you're going to be together! Take care, Pippi, Story, Jax, Stormy, Innis, Smokey, Ebby, Dicey, Taz, Mistie, Bravo, Bok, Lexi, Simon, Buddy, Boomer, Nugget, Tommy, Khemo, Kirovv, Reggie, Buck, Cloud, Austin, Dan, Ann, Mr. Purr, and most especially, Holly.

April 30, 2007 I had a bath yesterday. Oh, the injustice! First off, I hate having to go into the wash rack. It's small and I feel trapped in there. Then I get sprayed down with water and shampooed and rinsed. I have to admit that I kind of like getting fussed over, but I wish it didn't involve soap and water. Story got a bath, too, so I didn't feel quite so bad, but my human tied me up in my stall and then walked around with Story and let her eat grass. I sure didn't like that and I let that old human know. I am her horse and she is MY human, NOT Story's. I should have been the one out there. She must have realized that she hurt my feelings because she did come and get me and then both Story and I got to munch on grass and enjoy the warm sun drying our bodies. And I must look good because my human called me her shiny copper penny. When she says that, I know I'm styling! Something's going on today with Sundae. Kay's got her trailer out and Sundae's been telling us she's going to live with her family now that they've settled in their new place. We didn't really believe her, though. Wonder if she's really moving?

April 26, 2007 Hay there! It's been awhile since I've blogged. I just haven't felt as communicative as I used to when Story was in the stall across from me. I really miss her. It's so unfair that they moved her and left me. I keep looking in the back to see if they've started work on my new stall, but nothing is happening. I may have to bite a few of these humans to get them moving on this project. The other night, I was in the crossties and suddenly Story came walking in with her human and I was so excited I just had to nicker at her. Then we got to ride together so that was nice, although my human really tried to keep me away from her. We had fun that night – Smokey, Story, and I all got to lope together and Smokey thought he could catch me, but there's no way that big, old gelding could keep up with me. I ran laps around him! Oh, and I almost forgot. Taz wanted me to set the record straight because he was not the horse that bucked at the show last weekend. I'm not going to name names, but if a certain horse's name is Buck, you might assume that he would buck. But I'm not saying anything.

April 20, 2007 Story? Stooorryyyy? Where are you? I don't know why Boomer is in Story's stall, but I don't like it. No, I sure don't. Story's in the new barn now and I can't see her. I can barely even hear her. We used to have these great conversations late at night when the fillies and geldings were sleeping. Us old mares just don't sleep as well as we did when we were younger, you see, and Story and I could pass the time chatting. Not any more, though. I've been told my stall is going to be back there but it hasn't even been started. I make sure I look out there every time my human takes me out and there's a ton of junk in the middle of my new stall and no boards have been put in the frame. C'mon humans, get with the program. Why are the other seven horses out there but not me? It's not fair! Talk about injustice. Bravo's out there, now Story's out there, and I'm stuck in here with Ebby. Story? Can you hear me? Hey, Story, did I ever tell you about the time I helped fly Santa's sleigh? Well, it was a cold night and I was dozing...

April 19, 2007 All of our horses did really well at the Youth Show this past Sunday. Ebby did the best (although it pains me to have to say that; he's such a pest). He and his human won quite a few ribbons. Guess his human is glad she did decide to go! Cloud did really well, too. And the award for the liveliest horses goes to Dicey and Lexie. They pulled back while tied, not once, but twice, and took off running towards the road. Dicey said she feels really badly about doing that now, especially since she went over backwards. But I guess Lexie thought she should add some drama to the day and instigated the whole thing. She should know better at her age! She's supposed to be setting an example for the fillies. We'll post all the results on the Ribbons and Trophies page of this Web site just as soon as the Arab Club publishes them in their newsletter.

April 17, 2007 I'm so relieved that Bravo is OK!!!! He's back to his usual playful self and is able to put weight on all of his legs. Thank goodness!! You know, I'm wondering if he hurt himself on purpose because he didn't want to leave the farm since I wasn't going to the show. Such devotion! Not only am I happy about Bravo, I'm so happy that I got to be in the outdoor arena with my human. Finally we rode outside. I much prefer that arena because it's bigger so I can really pick up some speed. I was pretty good, though, although I felt my human get all relaxed on me while we were loping so I immediately surged forward. Got to keep that woman on her toes. The sun is out, there's no wind, and the weather is warm. Life is good!

April 16, 2007   Hay, Erin! It’s Innis. How are ya? I miss you. How’s college? I miss you. Time passes slowly without you. It’s getting warmer. I like that. Are you studying? I hope so. Miss riding? Well, I do. Coming home soon? You’d better!   What? Oh, Pippi just told me I have to stop weaving because I’m making her dizzy.   Pippi bought me a calendar off eBay that I use to keep track of how many more days until you come home. And I hear we’re going to a Girl Scout camp this summer. As long as you’re there with me, it sounds like fun. I might be a little scared at first, though.   I need to start weaving. Time for me to stop typing before Pippi attacks me. Counting the days ‘till I see you. Bye, Erin. Love, Innis

April 15, 2007 I'm really worried about Bravo. He didn't go to the show today because he hurt his leg. Last night sometime he must have kicked his stall wall too hard and now he doesn't want to put any weight on it. I hope he wasn't trying to show off for me because he doesn't need to do that. I know he's strong. He was pretty bored today because he had to stay inside while the rest of us horses who didn't go to the show got to go out to our pastures. I felt so bad for him. At least when my human caught me and put me in the crossties, I got a chance to see Bravo. He was putting up a good front for me, but I could tell his leg hurt him. What a shame he didn't go to the show. He looked so nice – he would have won a ribbon for best-looking gelding for sure. Get well soon, sweet Bravo!

April 14, 2007 My human said today that I was the muddiest horse she has ever seen. She didn't seem real happy about it, but I took it as a compliment. I had to stand in the crossties a long time, though, as she brushed me. Part of the time Bravo was across from me so that was OK. He's got the brownest eyes! It sure was busy at the farm. All the kids were out because  the first youth show of the season is tomorrow. Luckily, I didn't have to go in the wash rack, but most everyone else did. Buck wasn't very good about it; I heard Hailey complaining about him. Bravo looked so handsome after he was all done. He was extra shiny and his mane looked so smooth with all the bands in. Tomorrow will be real quiet with 11 of the horses off to the show. I hope everyone has fun. Story and I are taking bets on whether Taz bucks during a class.  I just hope Bravo gets some ribbons.

April 12, 2007 I'm so excited – I heard from Art! He's a Major in the Armed Services so he's good at following orders (and probably giving orders, too!). Anyway, his favorite song is "American Soldier" by Toby Keith. In honor of your tour in Iraq, Major, we horses of Belezaire would like to sing you a few verses from your song. Okay guys, ready? Ah-one and a-two: And I will always do my duty no matter what the price I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice Oh and I don’t want to die for you, but if dyin’s asked of me I’ll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don’t come free. I’m an American Soldier, an American Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight American Soldier, I’m an American Soldier. Thank you for your service, Major Fager.

April 10, 2007 I have an error I need to correct. I was wrong about Story's favorite song. Her very favorite song is "Wildfire" by Michael Murphy. Story said it's a beautiful song and she likes the name, Wildfire. If she could name herself, that's what she'd like to be called. If I could name myself, I'd like to be called Bullet because I'm as fast as one! Anyway, sorry Story – I mean Wildfire.

April 8, 2007 You'll never guess who stopped by the barn last night. The Easter Bunny! He was on his way to Geneseo to give the kids their Easter candy and needed a drink of water and a place to put his paws up and rest for a few minutes. He was really nice – very down to earth, not caught up in his celebrity reputation. He was shorter than I thought he'd be, though. And he gave us some wonderful kind of treat called Peeps®. Mmmmmmm, Peeps are good. Kind of chewy, but delicious! And East (that's what he likes to be called) has a favorite song. It's not "Peter Cottontail" like you might think. Nope, he likes "The Candyman" a very old song. I found it on iTunes® and we all listened to it before East hopped off. Kinda stupid song, but each to their own, that's my motto.

April 6, 2007 My human sent me an e-mail and said her favorite song is "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen. She said Bruce is a poet and the song is just beautiful – an anthem, I think she called it. So, one person has sent me their favorite song. What about all the rest of you? Don't you have a favorite song? Send an e-mail to pippi@itsapleasure.org and let me know the song and why it's your favorite. Don't make me get medievel on your rears! I just thought of something – my human reads my blog!! I'd better be a little nicer to her in this. She is the giver of treats, you know.

April 3, 2007 I've got to send a big shout out to Art in Champaign. I guess he's quite the fan of the Pipster's blog and reads me all the time. Thanks, Art!!! It's people like you that make all this hard work and dedication worthwhile.

April 1, 2007 I got wormer today. Yuck! Uck! Icky! Nasty! Yuck!  Bad human, bad human!! I trust you to give me treats like apples and carrots, and you take advantage of that and give me that bitter, disgusting stuff. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see you in a halter standing in the crossties. The things I'd stuff in your mouth - you'd see how it feels. And tastes. Bad human!

April 1, 2007 You know what? Grass just doesn't do it for me anymore. It's kind of stringy and earthy tasting. Not very sweet. Just kind of blah. And it turns my teeth green. So, no more grass for me. APRIL FOOLS'!!!!!! Snicker, nicker, nicker, nicker!!