Puzzle: The Runaway Pony (11 page)

“What do you mean?”

“I… I didn’t want to say anything while Pixie was here,” Charlie began hesitantly. “She was so
happy and I didn’t want to spoil it. But I spoke to Mum and Dad…”

“And?” Mia asked.

“And,” Charlie said taking a deep breath, “they’ve said that they’re okay about me taking on Phantom, but they can’t afford to keep him
and
Pirate. So, I’ve got to make a decision.”

Charlie looked up and saw the huge red rosette fluttering from Phantom’s stable door. He was standing near the back of his stable, keeping out of sight. The other four ponies all had their heads over their doors, ears pricked as they listened to the sound of the rattling trailer finally fading to nothing.

“I can either keep Pirate but give up riding,” Charlie sighed, “or I can take on Phantom and lose Pirate.”

“What are you going to do?” Rosie asked, feeling the tension in the air.

“Well, I know more than anyone how much Pirate loves charging round the countryside,
flying over fences. He… he needs someone who’ll do all that with him,” she said, trying to sound matter-of-fact, until her voice trembled and gave her away. “But I won’t ever sell him, he’ll always belong to me and I’ll always make sure he’s okay and well cared for, no matter what.”

Charlie looked over at Pirate’s mischievous little face, his bright eyes almost hidden behind his bushy forelock. He didn’t have a clue that everything was changing around him, that nothing would ever truly be the same again. Charlie walked towards him and gently pulled his soft, stubby ear. She thought of his nostrils fluttering warmly when she arrived at the yard every morning, his excitement at seeing the tack being slung over his stable door, his huge heart as brave as a lion’s, no matter what fence they were facing.

“So there’s only one problem left to solve now then,” Alice sighed.

“Finding a new rider for Pirate,” Rosie said grimly.

They gathered by Pirate’s stable. They all knew that Charlie’s decision was the right one, the only one she could really make. It would be the worst fate of all for Pirate to be left standing in the paddock, watching the other ponies leaving the yard to be ridden out.

“We’ll all help you find the best person
ever
for him,” Mia said, “The Pony Detectives are totally on the case.”

Charlie nodded, unable to speak as she turned to Pirate. He nudged her arm, looking expectantly at her. Charlie’s heart melted. He trusted her completely and she wouldn’t let him down. The next few weeks and months would be the most heartbreaking she’d ever had to face, but with her best friends beside her, she knew they’d find a way through, together.

Make sure you keep a pony first aid kit at the yard so you can deal with any minor cuts and scrapes. It could also help in an emergency while you wait for the vet!

Torch
A small torch will be useful if you have to check your pony in the dark.

Bowl, towel and wash
Antibacterial wash, a bowl and a towel to dry the area around a wound are all very useful. It’s important that the bowl and the towel are nice and clean.

Curved scissors
You’ll need round-edged scissors to trim the hair near the edges of a wound. Be really careful when you’re using these!

Wound gel
Wound gel creates a protective barrier over a cut and stops bacteria or dirt from getting in.

Sterile dressings
Use sterile dressings to cover and protect an injury.

Bandages and gamgee
Gamgee are pads that go over the sterile dressing to keep it in place. Bandages go on top of the gamgee. They can help to support the injured leg.

The Pony Detectives' Introduction to Lunging

What's it all about?
Lunging is great training for your pony. He will walk, trot and canter in a twenty metre circle, on the end of a lunge line.

What equipment do I need?

A lunge line

A bridle or a cavesson

A lunge whip, to stop your pony wandering into the circle to see you!

Brushing boots, to protect your pony's legs from knocks.

How's it done?
The pony moves round in a big circle while the trainer stands in the centre, using voice commands to vary the pony's pace. The trainer changes the direction of the circle so that the pony works both sides equally.

Why do it?

1
It can be used, like Mrs Millar does, to exercise a young pony. It helps build up his muscles, ready for wearing a saddle.

2
You can lunge an excitable pony before you ride him, so he can get rid of some of his extra energy!

3
It can help you improve your riding. An instructor will lunge the pony while you concentrate on perfecting your position in the saddle.