January 30, 2007

Haiku by Pippi

Ruby round delight
Crunch explosion, juice runs free
Love me some apples!

January 29, 2007

Good-bye, Barbaro. You fought a good fight. Rest in peace.

January 28, 2007

Cassie, we're going to miss you. You were a very special horse and loved by all, especially Kay. You taught many of us how to ride and were always patient and kind with the little kids. And all of the special memories that you and Kay shared will never be forgotten.

See you at the Rainbow Bridge, old girl.

With love,
all of your friends at the farm, both human and horse

January 26, 2007

Well, I had a very happy birthday. Mainly because a horse that wasn't me got in trouble. And you won't believe who it was — Sundae. That's right, the old gal was feeling frisky last night and decided to act up a little. Must have been because she was being ridden bareback. Anyway, she was feeling so good that she thought she'd buck a little. I don't know what the problem was because in my opinion, a little buck never hurt anyone, but the humans freaked out and made Sundae put her saddle on. Then Christy loped her for quite awhile and finally Sundae gave in and settled down. Then Abby was able to get back on her.

While Sundae was loping, I was trying to be supportive because we horses have to stick together. But Sundae wouldn't even look at me as she went by. She was kind of snarling and huffing, and she even did the sideways lope a little. Later back in the barn, I asked Sundae why she was so fired up, but she didn;t want to talk about it. I'm just glad it wasn't me getting into trouble for once.

And I did get a birthday apple from my human. And she gave me lots of hugs, too. I'm not sure about this hugging thing. It doesn't do much for me, but she seems to enjoy it, so I indulge her because it's my nature to be sweet and accommodating. Ebby, STOP LAUGHING, stop it right NOW! Don't make me come over there.

January 25, 2007

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meeeeee, happy birthday to me!

I was born twelve years ago today. I can't believe how fast the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday I was a cute little foal standing in the pasture next to my momma, Ms Fancy Bonni Bar. Now I'm all grown up, but I'm still cute.

Wonder if my human is going to come see me today? Wonder if she'll bring me a present? I sure hope so.

We're gonna party like it's my birfday. Drink apple cider like it's my birfday. C'mon and party like it's my birfday! Sing it with me!

I'm not mad at my human anymore. She brought me an apple tonight. It was really good — crisp and juicy. Mmmmmm. Good human! 

Hey humans, this is Story. Pippi's still pouting about getting into trouble yesterday and doesn't want to be disturbed, so I thought it was about time you all heard from me.

I am the head mare in this herd, so I am the one in charge, no matter what Pippi says. I decide what goes on around here and let me tell you, I am tired of the snow and cold weather. I want it to warm up and have the grass start growing. Now. Now, please. Right now would be good. OK, how about now? When is it going to be spring??? I'm ready for some sweet, tender grass. Mmmmmmmmm, I can almost taste it.

I had Murphy take a poll through the horsevine and it's unanimous — all the horses at the farm want it to stop snowing and warm up. I'm sure ready to shed all this hair. I think it makes me look bigger. I've heard the younger mares talking about me, saying my butt looks big. Just you wait, my dears, getting older ain't for sissies.

January 20, 2007

I got in trouble today and it's all my human's fault. We were riding along and she wanted me to lope, so I did. And it felt really good and I decided I wanted to go faster. And then I decided I didn't want to turn when she wanted me to. So she kept trying to make me do it right, but she didn't understand that I felt like running today. I thought I was being clear that she needed to just hang on and go with the flow, but for some reason, she didn't see it that way.

So she made me stop and then got out her cell phone and made a call. I thought it was kind of suspicious because she doesn't talk on the phone and ride. Then guess who came in the arena — Kay. And then my human got off me, and I realized that I was in trouble. She told the teacher on me. Stupid human.

I had to be good with Kay; she doesn't let me get away with anything. I tried my tricks at first but quickly found out that it was better to do what she wanted. Well, Kay, to you it seemed like I was loping nicely, but in my mind I was galloping all over that arena. So there!

You humans have to realize that it's snowy and icey out and we haven't been able to run around like we're used to. I just wanted to have some fun. I thought my human would be up for it. Stupid human — I'm mad at you.

January 19, 2007
 

Brrrrrrrrrrr! It's sure been cold. You know, I'm not the biggest fan of having to come in from the pasture at night to go to my stall, but this past week it has been kind of nice.

The wind last night scared me. It was howling and blowing and I heard all sorts of things in it. Things that might eat a plump little horse like me. Story told me she'd protect me, though. She's such a good head mare. And Simon, that big gelding in the other barn, even said he'd kick anything that got near me. It's good to have friends.

January 18, 2007

I must have a lot of influence around here because I've been grumbling about Nugget being next to my stall for months and now he's finally gone. "Gone. (he's gone) Gone. Gone like a freight-train, gone like yesterday. Gone like a soldier in the civil war, bang bang. Gone like a '59 Cadillac. Like all the good things that ain't never coming back." Didn't know I could sing, did you? OK, so Montgomery Gentry wrote those song lyrics, but still, Nugget is gone!

He's still at the farm and I guess that's OK; he's just been moved into the other part of the North barn. And Story and I couldn't be happier. Both of us just hated when he was led through to his stall at night while we were eating. We'd both snarl and snap and let me tell you, this was not without justification. Nugget doesn't like other horses. Not a one. He thinks he's better than we are, I guess, because he's a Palomino. Well, he may be pretty, but who gets all freaked out when it rains. Not I. Not Story. That leaves Nugget, doesn't it? Wimp!

Anyway, he's gone and Dicey's moved in next door. So far, so good, but she'd better not start getting too big for her hocks. She's young, you see, and might not realize that Story is the boss around here. So we've got to keep her in line. Always something to do.

Now if only Ebby would get moved, I'd be really happy.

So I had to trot, like, forever. Well, maybe it was only 15 minutes without stopping, but it sure seemed like forever. And I heard Pattie, the instructor, keep mentioning the diagonal to my human, so I guess the old gal wasn't quite getting it. Nicker, nicker!

Anyway, I'm a little sore today. I hope my human is, too. And now we've got snow on the ground. I hope it melts quickly. I don't like the feel of snow on my hoofs.

I've got a new nickname. It used to be "cut it out." Then it was "get over." Now it's "good girl." I'm liking this one the best.

January 2, 2007

Broke my resolution.

January 1, 2007

I, Pippi Longsox, resolve to no longer agitate, bite, or in any way mess with horses that are in the crossties in front of my stall.

Except if it's Ebby.