SmartGirl Authors

New Beginnings

by SG Author Marissa

Emma and Taps are back in New Beginnings. Taps is so close to foaling, due in less than a week - but two days before becomes ill. Emma suspects poison, but Mom won't believe her. But Emma has proof - she finds an empty bottle of pesticides in her feed box. Taps delivers her foal, but the foal is born unhealthy due to her poisoning. Both mare and foal are dying. Emma has just GOT to find a way to save them before it's too late!

Also by this author: Horse Whisperer and Under Arrest

Part 1: Horse Whisperer

Chapter 1: Real Fun and Realization

Emma Racker let herself into Shackle Taps' stall. Emma lived on Racker Recuperation Ranch, a place for abandoned and abused horses. About ten months ago, one of their stallions, Jaguar Racer, had been accidentally bred with Taps, resulting in her becoming pregnant. Emma was devastated, but decided against an abortion. She loved foals, anyway, and Taps was a purebreed, almost guaranteed to birth a nice foal with Racer's Andalusian blood.

Emma stroked Taps' neck and back, then bent over to feel Taps' stomach. Emma delightedly felt a bump against Taps' belly. It wouldn't be long now. Taps was already eleven months pregnant, which is the maximum to which most horses are pregnant. Emma was giddy with glee that Taps was due in just two weeks! Emma was virtually oblivious to anything that could happen. Emma was tempted to ride Taps, but fought the urge. It would be too risky now, and Taps could lose the foal.

Emma instead left the stall, grabbed a saddle and bridle from the tack room, and tacked up the Percheron filly, Ellie. Ellie pranced nervously, but Emma ignored it. It was nothing, she was sure. Ellie was naturally skittish and so probably was not the best idea for a trail ride, but Emma didn't mind in the slightest.

She picked up her walkie talkie from the office desk. "Mom, I'm going over the Masterpiece Meadows on Ellie," she said.

It only took a moment for Mom's voice to come over the radio: "No, Emma, you're not."

"What?" Emma said, startled.

"Emma, untack Ellie and get down here. Taps isn't in labor -- but something's wrong with her. Stat!" Emma heard. Emma put down the walkie talkie, untackled Ellie in record timing, and raced down to the barn, her heart thudding. No, no, no!

Part 1: Horse Whisperer