Pete the Pony's Holiday

Pete The Pony's Holiday

Pete the pony was having a well deserved holiday. He'd been worked too
hard at Mr Jones riding school, and he'd got very tired. Mr Jones, who
was a greedy man, would rather have got rid of Pete then given him a
holiday, but the children who loved Pete had talked him round.
It was Tom, the blacksmith, who'd explained to the children why Pete
was so tired, and it was to Tom's house that he went for his holiday.
He lived in the country with his wife Lynn, and his seven-year-old
daughter Holly. They loved Pete, and were enjoying looking after
him.
For the first week, Pete spent his days lazing in the paddock, and his
nights in a big shed that Tom had turned into a stable. After a week,
Tom and Lynn decided it was time for Pete to have some gentle exercise.
Holly wanted riding lessons, and Pete was perfect for the job. He was
gentle, kind and obedient. Before she married, Lynn had been a riding
teacher, so Holly was a lucky girl. Her first lesson was to be on
Saturday, and she could hardly wait.
Saturday arrived, Holly was excited. She wouldn't get her lesson until
after lunch, so that Pete could go out in the paddock for a while, to
eat, and stretch his legs. After lunch there was no stopping her.
"Come on mum," she said. "I want to get on Pete's back."
"Slow down, Holly," answered Lynn. "First things first."
"What do you mean?" asked Holly. "You put on the saddle and bridle and
we can start."
"I see you've got a lot to learn," answered Lynn. "Come-on, I'll show
you." Holly followed her mum to Pete's stable.
"Why isn't Pete here?" asked Holly. "I thought I was going to ride
him."
"You will," said Lynn, "but as well as learning to ride, I want you to
learn to look after him. One day, perhaps you'll have a pony of your
own." Holly was thrilled. She'd do anything if she could have her own
pony.
"First, catch your pony," said Lynn, as she handed Holly a head
collar.. Together they went to the paddock to find Pete. He loved
company, and it only took a few minutes for Lynn to show Holly how to
put on the head collar, and they were heading for the stable.
"Now the saddle?" asked Holly, impatiently.
"Not yet," answered Lynn, "first we brush him, and clean out his
hooves. Then we're ready. I'll show you today, but you can help
tomorrow."
Holly watched while her mum brushed Pete's coat until it shone. She was
alarmed when Lynn lifted Pete's feet to clean them, but Pete was used
to it, and behaved beautifully. As she worked, Lynn explained the
importance of what she was doing.
"If he's dirty, the saddle and bridle might rub, and cause sore spots,
and if you leave a stone in his hoof, he'll go lame. Now do you see why
it's important?"
"Oh yes," said Holly. "I wouldn't like it if Pete got hurt."
At last, they were ready. Lynn had just checked that Holly's hard hat
was in place when Tom arrived.
"Just in time," said Lynn. Turning to Holly, she said, "dad can hold
Pete while I help you mount." It was hard the first time, but
eventually Holly was on!
Tom led Pete around the lawn while Lynn helped Holly get her balance.
She showed her how to hold her reins, and how to keep her feet in the
stirrups. All too soon, the first lesson was over.
"Tomorrow's another day," said Lynn. "We don't want Pete getting tired
do we?" Holly was disappointed, but she didn't want Pete to be too
tired to do it again tomorrow.
When they'd taken off Pete's tack, Holly led him into his stable
because it was time for his tea. "I know what I'll do," she said. "I'll
go to the orchard and get Pete some apples, to say thank you."
"Just one apple," said Tom, "and make sure it's ripe. Too many apples
will give him tummy ache. That's why I'm always telling you to check
the orchard gate's closed."
Holly came back with several apples. She picked out an especially
sweet one, gave it to Pete, and followed her parents indoors.
Later that night, Holly was settling down to sleep. She was hoping to
dream about racing around the countryside on Pete's back. As she dozed
off, she thought she heard shouting, but she was so tired, she took no
notice, and the next thing she knew, it was Sunday.
At breakfast, she remembered what she'd heard, and asked her dad about
it.
"Oh, it was nothing," he reassured her. "I heard someone in the
orchard. It was boys stealing apples. I scared them away when I
shouted."
"Good," said Holly. "I wouldn't want them stealing all the apples. I
want to give one to Pete every day."
"There'll be plenty for that." said her dad. "Just remember what I
said."
"I remember," answered Holly. "One at a time, and only ripe
ones."
Tom nodded and smiled. "Good girl," he said, as he went outside.
A few minutes later, Holly went out. She went to Pete's stable and
found her mum already there. "Can I ride today, mum?" she asked.
"Later, Holly. First, he'll have his breakfast, then a couple of hours
in the paddock. If the weather stays fine, I'll give you a lesson after
lunch." Holly had to be satisfied that this. She waited till Pete
finished his breakfast, helped put him in the paddock, then went off to
play.
As they ate lunch, Holly noticed it was raining. She was disappointed.
It probably meant she couldn't ride Pete today.
"Never mind," said her mum. "It's still light when you get home from
school. There'll be plenty of time before Pete goes back to Mr
Jones."
Holly saw the sense in this. She didn't really like getting wet. Then
she thought about Pete. "Mum, what about Pete?" she asked. "Do you
think he's alright in the rain?"
Lynn laughed. "I'm sure he won't melt, but if you're worried,, go and
see if you can catch him and take him in. I'll be out in a
minute."
Holly collected the head collar and set off for the paddock. Pete
wasn't in sight, which was unusual. He was usually watching for
company. Holly called him. "Come on Pete, come in out of the rain."
Pete didn't appear. Suddenly, she saw him. "Oh no," she gasped. "He's
in the orchard." Pete was standing under a tree, his head between his
knees. He didn't look well!
Holly ran over and put on his head collar. "Come on Pete," she cried.
"You shouldn't be in here." Pete dug in his heels, and refused to move.
Holly didn't know what to do. "Oh, please, Pete," she wailed, "come in
out of the rain. I'm sure you'll feel better." She tugged and tugged on
the lead rope.
Eventually, Pete made the effort and started moving. Holly was
relieved. As she got near the gate she met her mum.
"What's happened?" she asked.
"Pete was in the orchard," cried Holly. "Those boys must have left the
gate open. I think he has tummy ache from eating too many apples." With
that, Holly burst into tears.
"Don't cry Holly," said her mum. "He'll be all right, I'm sure. It's
lucky you came out when you did. Come on, we'll get him into his
stable. Dad will know what to do."
Between them, they persuaded Pete to walk the short distance to his
stable. By the time they got there, Pete already looked a bit better.
Tom came round the corner just as the sad procession made its way into
the stable.
"Whatever is the matter?" he said, as he saw the sad faces.
"It's Pete," said Holly, "he got into the orchard, and now he's not
well."
"Poor Pete" said Tom. "Let's take a look." He ran his hands over Pete's
tummy, then led him up and down. Pete did look sad. Just then, the rain
stopped and the sun came out. At the same time, Pete shook himself and
pricked his ears. He looked completely better.
"You old fraud," laughed Tom. "You were just sheltering. You weren't
eating apples at all. You just don't like getting wet."
Holly was relieved. She threw her arms around Pete's neck and gave him
a hug. "Oh, Pete, I'm glad. I was scared you'd got tummy ache. I
promise I'll always check the orchard gate is shut in future, just to
make sure."
Everyone was relieved that Pete was okay. No harm was done, but a
lesson was learned. Riding lessons could wait till tomorrow.

Ends