Crown Prince Challenged by Linda Snow McLoon

Author:Linda Snow McLoon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
Published: 2012-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Spring at Last

THE COMING OF SPRING brought expected changes to Brookmeade Farm. The outdoor sand ring went back into use, and riders could once again hack on the trails connected to the farm. The horses rolled in the paddocks regularly as they shed their winter coats, and winter blankets were laundered and stored away. As Sarah rode her bike to the barn once again, she reveled in the smells of thawing ground and budding trees. It was great that she didn’t have to depend on anyone for a ride, and she could get to the barn on her own schedule.

The school break in April meant Sarah had a week of almost unlimited time with her horse. On their lesson day, she biked to the farm several hours in advance, thinking how nice it was not to be rushed. Prince would be turned out now, so after parking her bike by the side door of the barn, she first went to see if Paige was around. Quarry was on the cross-ties while Paige brushed his luxurious silver tail with a hairbrush just like the one Sarah had at home. Sarah grinned and shook her head as she pointed to it.

“It works better than anything I could get at a tack shop,” Paige said. “It’s gentle and doesn’t pull out a lot of hair.” She laughed. “Quarry’s getting ready for his first movie, you know.” Sarah was glad to hear Paige laugh again, something that had been rare lately.

Just then the Brookmeade Jack Russells came barreling down the aisle to play with Sarah. Spin and Cameo raced around her while she clapped her hands and spun in circles. She stopped and petted them as Mrs. DeWitt came closer.

“I have some news, girls,” she said. “Athena has finally had her foal, a filly. I’m heading up there to see her. Would you like to come along?”

“Of course!” Paige said. “I’ll put Quarry back in his stall.” Sarah was equally excited. The other two mares had foaled over a month before, and everyone had been wondering why Athena was so late. They piled into Mrs. DeWitt’s Mercedes for the ride to the carriage shed.

“Jack had a feeling last night would be the night,” Mrs. DeWitt said, as she drove up the hill. “Athena was waxing, which is a good sign foaling is about to happen soon. Jack has a surveillance system set up so from the bungalow he can see and hear anything going on in the foaling stall. That, plus making regular checks, allows him to keep on top of things.”

“What’s waxing?” Sarah asked, leaning forward to hear her better.

“That’s when the mare begins secreting milk from her udder,” Mrs. DeWitt said, “usually just before foaling.” When they pulled into the driveway, Jack stepped out of the bungalow on his way to the carriage shed. He waved.

“Aren’t we lucky! Jack can tell us all about it,” Mrs. DeWitt said.

The girls and Mrs. DeWitt found Jack looking into the roomy foaling stall at Athena and her filly.

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