Pony Story

"You go with him," she said, "He'll set you right."

Shara glanced at Mrs Clegg for a moment. She did not like the woman for some reason, which was unusual, because she usually like everyone. Mrs Clegg returned the glance without a smile, and her eyes were cold and hard, like glass marbles.

"So how many horses do you have?" Shara's Dad was saying as she caught up with him.

"About thirty," said Mr. Clegg, "It varies. They come and go all the time. Some months we have fifty, other months its down to twenty. It all depends on how many we sell."

The path to the back paddock was even worse than the driveway. There were ruts in it, full of water, and ridges of soft mud, pushed up by the wheels of a heavy vehicle. The fences each side were crooked and leaning over, with a tangle of barbed wire tied loosely in the gaps and holes. Mr. Clegg was the only one in gumboots, so he went through the mess without a worry, but Dad and the two girls had to pick their way from spot to spot, to avoid going into the mud. They were not very successful.

"There you are," said Mr. Clegg stopping beside a rickety wooden gate, and pointing at three large brown ponies, "That's the best we've got at the moment."

Linda tugged at her father's arm.

"I like the one nearest to us," she said.

"Zeras." said Mr. Clegg, " Good choice. She's seven now, and a good temperament. I'll round her up for you and you can get acquainted."

Shara watched enviously as Mr. Clegg went out into the paddock and rounded the ponies up into a comer. He pushed them through a narrow lane and shut the gate. The ponies snorted and kicked. They were frisky and full of life. Their heads were up and their ears forward as they swung round in the small pen and jostled against each other. Mr. Clegg jumped into the pen with a bridle and caught Linda's pony, then he shooed the other two away and brought it over to her.

Linda reached out and patted Zeras' nose.

"How much do you want for her?"

"For this one," said Mr. Clegg, "I'd take three hundred. She's not top of the line, but she's pretty good. Comes from a good line too. Good stock."