Bird returns to Saddle Creek and her beloved horse Sunny for Christmas. Bird always dreads Christmas. For as long as she could remember, her mother Eva goes into a tailspin of selfishness and drama as the holiday approaches. This one will be no different, as Bird is once again dumped at Saddle Creek Farm with her Aunt Hannah while Eva parties. At midnight on Christmas Eve, in the midst of an ice storm, Cody (the loyal coyote) alerts Bird that elderly Laura Pierson is in danger down the road. Bird mounts her champion show jumper Sundancer, and with Cody they head out to save her. The family's plans change because of the storm, but everyone finally gathers for Christmas dinner. Then, while the after-dinner bonfire burns, a Christmas miracle unfolds, but at great cost to a loved one. In Christmas at Saddle Creek, Bird beholds the magic of the universe and the circle of life, and learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Describes equestrian cross-country and endurance racing, including its history, the training and equipment required, and the obstacles in each type of race. "About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

In Cuckoo's Flight, internationally bestselling author Wendy Orr returns to the Bronze-Age setting of her critically acclaimed novels Dragonfly Song and Swallow's Dance. With her signature blend of striking prose and emotionally taut verse, she immerses readers in a thrilling coming-of-age story as Clio battles the political power of the palace and her own feelings of inadequacy to save her town, her horses, and perhaps even herself.

A Horse in the House? Things are hard for eleven-year-old Yonder. Her mother died and her father has sunk into sadness. She doesn't have a friend to her name . . . except for Dirt, the Shetland pony next door. Dirt has problems of his own. He's overweight, he's always in trouble, and his owner is the mean Miss Enid, who doesn't have the patience for a pony's natural curiosity. His only friend is Yonder, the scrawny girl next door. So when Miss Enid makes the cruel decision to sell Dirt for horsemeat, Yonder knows she has to find a way to rescue him. Even if that means stealing Dirt away and sneaking him into her own house. What follows will make you worry, will make you cry, and will ultimately fill you with hope, love, and an unshakable belief in the power of friendship. Especially the four-legged kind.

Untamable. Damaged. Angry. Once full of promise and life, now a fiery knot of resentment and detachment. This is the story of Dream of Night, an injured and abused racehorse. It’s also the story of Shiloh, a sarcastic eleven-year-old foster child. By chance, Dream of Night and Shiloh both find themselves under the care of Jessalyn DiLima. Just in time—it’s a last chance for them both. Jess fosters animals and kids like Dream of Night and Shiloh for a reason—she’s a little broken, too. And as the three of them become an unlikely family, they recognize their similarities in order to heal their pasts—but not before one last tragedy threatens to take everything away.

Describes dressage equestrian events, including their history, the types of horses that compete, the training and equipment required, and the Olympics and other competititons. From Booklist: A love of horses is a common enough affliction among children, though many may be surprised that there are so many ways to gad about on horseback. The Horsing Around series, with plenty of action photos and a layout that evokes the grainy woods of stables and barns, details the different equipment, breeds, techniques, and competitions associated with each corner of the equestrian world. Dressage communicates the importance of a strong connection between a horse and rider, and the meticulousness required and often imperceptible cues given to execute the ballet-like figures in the ring. Each book ends with a brief sketch of famous horses and riders and a collection of historical tidbits to enhance readers’ familiarity with the sport. Parents may have appreciated some information on how a love of horses can put a serious dent in the checking account, but this series is nonetheless an invaluable resource for introducing aspiring riders to the distinct substrata of the equestrian world. Grades 3-5. --Ian Chipman "About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

In an Icelandic community in the heart of Canada, 13-year-old Tia is angry. Her mother has disappeared and she and her eight-year-old brother, Tag, have been sent to yet another foster home. In a lodge at the edge of Lake Winnipeg with a family and "fake mom" that feels smothering, Tia feels more isolated and farther away from her mother than ever. She desperately tries to convince her brother to return to the city where they will find Mama, and reunite their family. But when a freak spring snowstorm and a herd of runaway horses lead her to a job at the Ice Pony Ranch and Animal Rescue Centre, Tia is offered a job that might just change everything.

A gentle introduction to horses will draw both committed horse lovers and those who need a little reassurance before jumping into the saddle. I have a friend named Catherine, and she has a horse named Shannon. “Come and meet her,” Catherine says. A little boy isn’t sure if he likes horses, but his friend Catherine assures him that her horse will like him. Shannon is very big, but she’s beautiful, throwing her head up and looking at him with her dark eyes as if she knows everything there is to know. Catherine patiently teaches the boy how to talk to a horse quietly, how to feed her carrots, how to lead her across a field, even how to blow at her softly to show that he likes her. But is he really ready to climb up on Shannon’s back and take a ride? Facts about horses are sprinkled throughout to satisfy inquisitive readers.

Welcome to Paradise Ranch, where everyone can get a second chance. Carolina Aguasvivas grew up on Paradise Ranch, which she knows down to every last pony. But things are sure to change when the new owner's daughter, Chelsie Sánchez, sweeps in with an attitude and a feisty Thoroughbred named Velvet. The mare is skittish, headstrong -- and Carolina is determined to ride her. Chelsie, who considers herself too good to clean stalls, certainly doesn't seem like a real horse girl. Caro knows she's the only one who can help Velvet recover, and she's ready to prove it -- no matter what it takes. The girls may discover they have more in common than they think... including a passion for bringing the healing power of horses to every kid.

In the second volume of this charming series, friends Bonnie and Sam are determined to win the local talent contest. And they know that learning to do trick riding on horseback will secure victory. When the girls pick a real-live horse to practice on, all bets are off. The excitement will keep young readers turning pages, as Bonnie and Sam discover that some things are even better than winning.

Gallop into the world of horse girls! This hilariously voiced middle-grade novel is Mean Girls meets Black Beauty for the horse girl crew. Humanizing, heart-warming, and wildly funny, Horse Girl redefines what it means to be a young girl who loves horses. Seventh-grader Wills is head-over-hoof for horses, and she is beyond excited when she gets the chance to start training at the prestigious Oakwood Riding Academy. But Amara, the Queen of the #HorseGirls, and her posse aren't going to let the certifiably dork-tagious Wills trot her way into their riding club so easily. Between learning the reins of horse riding, dealing with her Air Force pilot mom being stationed thousands of miles from home, and keeping it together in front of (gasp!) Horse Boys, Wills will learn that becoming a part of #HorseGirlWorld isn't easy. But with her horse, Clyde, at her side, it sure will be fun! Complete with comedic, original hoof notes to acquaint the less equestrian among us, Horse Girl delivers everything a young readers wants: mean girls, boy problems, and embarrassingly goofy dad jokes. And it does so on the back of a pony.

A spine-tingling adventure with as many twists and turns as a steeplechase course. After making a grisly discovery in the woods while out riding her Queen’s Plate racehorse, Kazzam, Evangeline Gibb struggles to make sense of the deepening mysteries surrounding her and her family — her half-brother has run away from home and her increasingly isolated stepsister has been drawn into a sinister cult. With the help of her dog, her horse, her grandmother, and her wits, Evie assists the police as she trains Kazzam to jump cross-country and they ride in a thrilling steeplechase.