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Shelby saw the glower cross Lindsey's face. She had been willing to give Hotty the benefit of the doubt, but there would be no more compassion now that Lindsey knew that she was just plain naughty.

Julie took out one of the tennis balls and used it to massage Hotty all around her shoulders. After that she sprayed on some liniment and rubbed it in.

It crossed Shelby's mind that she might want to be an equine chiropractor when she grew up. She could save money if she adjusted her own horses – especially when she had four or five in full competition condition all the time.

'Did you have to do a long course to do this job?' she asked.

'I did vet science at uni,' Julie replied. 'And a threeyear masters degree.'

That sounded like a lot of work! Shelby was pretty sure you had to be good at Maths if you wanted to do veterinary science. She would have to start paying attention in class. She wasn't sure if it was worth it. 'Is it good money?' she asked.

Julie shrugged. 'Ask me again after I've paid off my university degree. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with this mare that a bit of hard work wouldn't fix. That's my advice.'

Shelby nodded. That's what she'd hoped. Hotty was just green. In time, with regular work, she would be amazing.

'Who do I bill this to?' Julie asked.

'Gwen Stefani,' Shelby answered.

'Really? Like the singer?' She laughed. 'That's a coincidence.'

'Yeah, funny hey?' Shelby said.

20 Another Try

In the afternoon the girls decided to try Shelby's old all-purpose saddle on Hotty in the round yard. Mrs Edel was working Diablo in the dressage arena, so the girls knew they had at least forty-five minutes.

Shelby cinched up the girth another notch. She flinched when the mare shifted her weight from one leg to another. Shelby was nervous. She hadn't realised how much until now. 'I think that's as far as it will go. Who wants to hop on first?'

'It's your saddle,' said Erin.

'You're the one who has lessons,' Shelby responded.

'I only ever ride Bandit. You two ride different horses all the time. Why don't you ride her, Shelby?'

'But I've already fallen off! It's somebody else's turn.'

Erin turned to Lindsey. 'What about you?'

Lindsey shook her head. 'I've broken enough bones. You should do it, Erin. You haven't come off in ages.'

'She mightn't even go nuts,' Shelby offered, smiling hopefully.

'Fine,' growled Erin, gripping the cantle. 'But when I break my legs you two have to carry me back.'

'You won't break your legs!' Shelby told her. 'Not both at once, anyway.'

Shelby stood on one side of the pony, holding a rein. Lindsey stood on the other while Erin put her foot in the stirrup, ready to swing into the saddle. Hotty swished her tail. She had her ears back and Shelby could see the whites of her eyes.

'I told you she's not a nice person,' Lindsey said.

Shelby hoped Hotty would be good and prove Lindsey wrong. She smiled up at Erin. 'Are you ready?'

Erin's knees were squeezed tight against the saddle and her knuckles were white where she held the reins.

'Remember, we're just trying to teach her that it's OK to have a saddle on, and not to be scared,' Lindsey said. 'The best thing would be if she just stands still. Then you can reward her by getting off.'

'Wouldn't the best reward be not getting on in the first place?' Erin muttered. Her face looked drawn and her shoulders were hunched. She was scared. 'How do the rodeo riders do it?' she asked.

Lindsey shrugged. 'I've never done it. They just hang on, I guess. Try to stay loose when you fall. I've heard that you break less bones if your muscles are relaxed.'

Shelby thought they were being prematurely pessimistic, but she didn't mention it. She was sure that Erin would jump at the chance to switch places.

Shelby and Lindsey let go of the reins and moved slowly away from the horse. Erin sat still, clinging to the saddle. 'Be a good girl now, CC,' she said.

The pony snorted and shook her head. She stood still with her eyes half closed, as though she was sleepy. For a moment Shelby thought it was going to be all right.

'She's