Antonia, the Horse Whisperer: The Rosenburg Riding Stables, Volume 1
Last year the newer stalls had been incorporat ed into the former coach house across the way And Grandma and Grandpa lived in-between in the sheep fold as they lovingly called their little half-timbered house in which sheep really once were kept There they were entirely separate from the main house and lived right in the middle of the busy horse farm Antonia and Leona opened the big gate to the sta bles The sweet smell of hay greeted them as well as the warmth and familiar lip-smacking and neighing Hello Fiona Hello Morning Star Hello Mr Right Hello They greeted the horses left and right the gray horse the brown ones the black horse and the sorrel they heard snorting kicking and the sounds of impatient horses waiting for feed Antonia’s father divided the hay portions evenly the doors behind them stood open and the tractor rolled up from there Hello Thunder called Leona stroking her fa vorite horse It was through Thunder that Antonia and Leona had met Three years ago Leona’s parents had looked for a good stable for Thunder and for a riding instruc 10
tor for Leona The Rosenburg Farm was the best farm far and wide and Leona was instantly impressed by the friendly atmosphere There are really terrific horses here she had shouted with joy and then as Antonia came around the corner the two had immediately become friends From that day on the two girls were inseparable Antonia went three stalls farther to Snow White Snow White hello How are you An affection ate snorting and familiar neighing were the answer 11
You’ve been waiting for me right Antonia stroked down Snow White’s back to her legs and care fully touched her bandage That’s coming off today she whispered in Snow White’s ear And then you have to be patient We have to take it easy at first But we’ll be fine She looked at the tight bandage which had been supporting Snow White’s hind leg since the fall exactly six weeks ago Of course you’ll start with long rides around the Rosenburg Farm but I’ll just lead you at first Anto nia whispered to her You’ll see it’s changed a lot in six weeks The grain fields are full of blue cornflow ers and red poppies They finished building the new indoor riding arena There’s no scaffolding anymore You’ll like it And Grandma’s rosebushes are blooming as beautifully as ever Snow White seemed to under stand every word and answered with a vigorous snort We won’t go to the jumping area until much later Antonia held out a few oats for Snow White But this will be the last morning with 12
this annoying bandage When Snow White had eaten her oats Antonia led her to the grooming area put her grooming kit down and began to run the soft brush over the horse’s neck and back Snow White held completely still while she was brushed only a soft melodic humming came out of her nearly closed mouth See the sun is shining From now on we’ll be 13
