New Rider by Bonnie Bryant

delivery. Tail bandages, head collars, feeding bottles, milk replacer … By the time she had worked her way through the inventory, she was satisfied they would be able to handle any emergency that might arise.
    Although Sunset had shown no signs that she was ready to give birth anytime soon, Carole decided to look in on the mare anyway. The horse was not in herstall, so she checked the small private paddock out back. She spotted the mare in the far corner of the enclosed space and slowly approached. “Hey, girl, what are you up to?”
    As she got closer she could see something was wrong—not with the horse, but with the fence. The wood was chipped away and splintered. One of the boards had actually cracked, as if the mare had been kicking and pawing at it.
    Worried by Sunset’s behavior, she led the mare back into her stall and shut the door to the paddock, then went to find Red O’Malley, the head stable hand. Red was working in the barn.
    “Hi, Red,” she called.
    “Oh, hi, Carole,” he greeted her with a friendly smile. “I thought you’d be long gone by now.”
    “I was about to take off, but when I checked on Sunset I discovered she’d been trying to run away.”
    Red stopped working. “Run away? How?”
    “She’s been pawing and leaning on the fence to her paddock. She’s actually managed to break one of the boards.”
    Red frowned. “That can be dangerous. I’d better take a look at it. Thanks for letting me know.” He set off across the yard.
    Carole went with him. “Red, do all pregnant maresbehave like that, or do you think something’s wrong with her?”
    “Lots of changes happen when a mare is this far along,” he explained. “Most of them become antisocial, then nervous. The fact that Sunset is away from home in unfamiliar surroundings makes it all the harder for her. Most likely she wanted more privacy, or maybe she just wanted to explore.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to say.”
    “Then you don’t think it’s something to worry about?”
    “I doubt it.” He let himself into the stall. Sunset was standing in a corner with her back to them. “You know, most horses manage foaling with very little trouble. It’s the people who care about them that have the difficulty.” He winked at her. “Don’t worry so much. I think she’s fine.”
    Carole smiled. “Thanks, Red.”
    He gave her a thumbs-up and disappeared into the paddock.
    Reassured by his words, Carole moved closer to the mare to stroke her. “Is that it, girl?” she crooned gently. “Are you just nervous? You don’t have to be scared. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you or your baby.”
    For her part, Sunset seemed entirely indifferent to Carole’s assurances and caresses. She tolerated themfor a moment or two, then moved restlessly away to begin the laborious process of lying down. With much grunting and groaning she managed to lower herself onto the soft hay.
    “I guess I can take a hint,” Carole told the horse. “You obviously don’t care for any company.”
    The mare closed her eyes.
    Carole checked the water and food. “Okay, I’m leaving now.”
    Sunset gave a soft snort, but Carole was almost certain it was meant to be a fake snore.
    “No, no, don’t get up, I think I can find my way out,” she said, laughing. “See you tomorrow, girl.”
    She latched the stall door carefully and headed for home.
    T HE NEXT AFTERNOON the Saddle Club members all arrived at Pine Hollow at practically the same moment.
    “Hi, Stevie,” Lisa called. “Are you feeling better?”
    “Yeah, how’s the bump?” Carole asked.
    “Beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick,” she told them, smiling. “Then again, what doesn’t?”
    Lisa laughed. “Healthy attitude.”
    The sound of hoofbeats drew Carole’s attention to the outdoor ring. “What’s up over there?”
    “Looks like Zach is taking a lesson with Max,”Stevie said. “He’s one of the reasons I came over today.”
    “Let’s see how