Hobbyhorse Read Online Free PDF

room, Polly was laying out various bits and bridles.
    “Who’re they?” Stevie asked.
    Lisa frowned. “
He
, not
they.
It’s a story about this guynamed Dr. Jekyll, who turns from a quiet gentleman into a mouth-foaming monster in two seconds flat.”
    “Just like Amelia,” Lisa groaned.
    Stevie giggled. “It’s perfect. When Amelia comes around, all the other kids are going to Hyde.”
    “I made May promise to be nice to her,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “I’m going to have to buy the Pony Tails ice cream cones by the time this week is through.”
    “Ice cream cones?” Stevie asked. “Maybe you haven’t been paying attention. Between the way Amelia is acting and the way they’re taking it, you’re already up to hot fudge sundaes.”
    Lisa groaned and agreed. “By next Saturday, they may never have to pay for their own ice cream again.”

“E VERYBODY THANK P OLLY for that excellent presentation,” Max said. The members of Horse Wise clapped enthusiastically. Carole hadn’t thought Polly’s presentation was all that good—she’d forgotten to mention rubber-mouth training bits, and she’d failed to explain completely the difference between D-ring and egg-butt snaffles—but she figured Polly had done her best, so she clapped hard anyway.
    Lisa stole another glance at Amelia. The little girl had listened with intense interest to every word Polly had said. Lisa didn’t understand her cousin at all.
    “So now it’s time to ride,” Max continued. “Now, as you know, the school horses have had to stay in their stalls a lotlately because of the cold weather. Since it was so much warmer this morning, Red and I turned most of them out in the back pasture for some exercise. We’ll have to go get them and groom them.
    “Listen up,” Max said, holding up his hand. “I want you to remember that horses sometimes behave differently when they’re together in a herd. They follow different instincts. Sometimes even calm horses can act dangerously. So, while I want you all to get the halter and lead rope of the horse you’ll be riding and go out to the pasture gate, I want only a few of you older kids in the pasture with me. We’ll put the halters on the horses and lead them out the gate. Okay?”
    Lisa nodded to herself. She’d been around herds of horses on her friend’s ranch out West, and she knew what Max said made sense. In a herd, horses tried to dominate one another. They sometimes reared or kicked at each other. Humans had to be careful not to get in the way.
    Carole raised her hand. “Max, our horses are already in. We can help you.”
    Max smiled. “Thank you. You three would be just right.”
    The riders all left the office. Stevie and Carole hesitated at the door, waiting for Lisa, who was waiting for Amelia. Amelia walked up to Max instead. Taking his hand confidingly, she asked, “Which horse should I ride today?”
    Max smiled. “I’m going to give you a horse named Patch. You’ll like him. He’s a nice guy.”
    Lisa and Carole both nodded. Patch was old, gentle, and comfortable. He was the best choice for a young beginner, particularly one Max had never seen ride. Patch would take good care of Amelia.
    Amelia pushed her lower lip out the slightest bit. “But I’d rather ride Prancer,” she said. “Can I, please? I already met her, and I could tell she really loved me. Please, Max, please?”
    Max bent down so that his face was even with Amelia’s. He spoke very kindly. “I’m sure you liked Prancer. She’s a pretty horse, and she really seems to love kids, I know. But sometimes she acts silly when she’s being ridden. I don’t think she’s a good choice for you. Patch will be much better.”
    Amelia’s beautiful eyes filled with tears. “Please?” she whispered.
    Max gave Amelia a little squeeze on the chin.
    “Oh, gross,” Lisa whispered. “Can’t he see what she’s doing? She just wants to get her own way.”
    “You can’t ride Prancer today,” Max said.