RACINE - It was Friday afternoon and Cocoa still needed a bath. He'd get a trim and a new hairstyle, too, before the day was through.

After four hours with a bottle of "Man 'O War" shampoo, some industrial-sized clippers and a vision, Cocoa's owner, Debbie Hahn, would have him looking like new.

If you've seen Racine's Fourth Fest Parade, you've no doubt seen Cocoa. He's the portly miniature horse, the one parade-goers often mistake for a pregnant mare. For the past several years, he's been the one pulling Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam in a patriotically decorated cart.

Cocoa has been a crowd favorite marching most of his life in Racine's annual parade. Cocoa marched in his first parade the year he was born, nearly 18 years ago.

But due to his age, this parade could be Cocoa's last, owner Debbie Hahn said Friday.

"I don't want it to be, because he's so good at it," Hahn said Friday as she prepared her three miniature horses, Cocoa, Storm and Magic, for today's parade.

Friday afternoon Debbie and her daughter, Lisa, spent the afternoon brushing, scrubbing and feeding their equine guests. They also worked to outsmart the horses who kept trying to get into the raspberry patch in the backyard of the Hahn's Racine home.

Every year, the Hahns turn their backyard into a makeshift paddock where they board the horses the day before the parade. The horses spend the rest of their days on a farm in the county.

Hahn, a Racine native, has been involved with the Fourth Fest Parade most of her life. Her uncle, Paul Schacht, spent many years as a parade organizer. Hahn grew up attending the parade with her family.

"I spent the entire time hiding behind mom and dad's lawn chairs hiding from the clowns or jumping out to cheer for the horses," Hahn said.

Hahn started showing horses in the parade after Cocoa was born.

Growing up, Hahn says she always wanted a horse, but she couldn't get one. They were too messy, her parents told her. She couldn't even take horseback riding lessons. Hahn got her first horse - a quarter horse - as an engagement gift from her husband, Dave.

"I do the parade because that's what I wanted to see in the parade," Hahn said. "There are so many kids in Racine who will never get to see a horse this size."

Hahn has passed on her love of horses to her two children, Lisa, 11, and Tyler, 8. This will be the first year Tyler and Lisa won't be dressed in their Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam getups. They've outgrown them. They're not too big to ride in the cart though.

For a few days, the Hahns have three large, mischievous house guests. The neighbors don't mind and it's OK with Lisa.

They're fun, she said "only when they don't step on your toes or sneeze on you."