The Forgotten Horse: Connemara Horse Adventures, #1

By Elaine Heney

*** Winner of the Best International Equine Fiction Award at the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest 2022, California USA *** When a mysterious grey pony called 'Ozzie' appears in the paddock by her home, 12-year-old Clodagh's life is about to change dramatically. Charged with caring for him by the local manor's owner, she quickly befriends him. But what will happen when his absent owner unexpectedly reappears and sells him to a riding school with a very bad reputation. Can Clodagh save her new pony friend? Or does she have to say goodbye to Ozzie, forever? Join Clodagh and Ozzie in their very first adventure to find out!

 

This wholesome and beautifully told horse story is perfect for horse-crazy kids and the young at heart.

 

Written by international horsewoman and award-winning documentary director, Elaine Heney, this tender and touching story explores the depth of the relationship that can be created between girl and horse - that can last a lifetime. Because by listening to the horse everything becomes possible.

 

This heart-wrenching story underlines the importance of kindness, resilience and never giving up - even in times of adversity. Perfect for middle school kids who adore horses and all those who love young adult fiction. This enchanting book is full of love, soul and lifelong horsemanship lessons.

 

This is the perfect children's equestrian book for young readers, girls, boys, tweens and teens and all who love great horse stories to curl up with and enjoy. This is the first book in the Connemara Horse Adventure Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Heney
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201570941

Book preview

The Forgotten Horse

The Connemara Adventure Series

The Forgotten Horse

The Show Horse

The Mayfield Horse

The Stolen Horse

The Adventure Horse

The Lost Horse

The Coral Cove Series

The Riding School Connemara Pony

The Storm and the Connemara Pony

The Surprise Puppy and the Connemara Pony

The Castle Charity Ride and the Connemara Pony

Horse Books for Kids

P is for Pony – ABC Alphabet Book for Kids 2+

Listenology for Kids age 7-14

Horse Care, Riding and Training for kids 6-11

Horse Puzzles, Games & Brain Teasers for kids 7-14

Horse Books for Adults

Equine Listenology Guide

Dressage Training for Beginners

The Listenology Guide to Bitless Bridles

Conversations with the Horse

Horse Anatomy Colouring Book

Discover all Elaine Heney’s books at www.elaineheneybooks.com

The Forgotten Horse

Elaine Heney

Copyright © 2022 by Elaine Heney

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First Edition Feb 2022

Published by Grey Pony Films

www.greyponyfilms.com

About Elaine Heney

Elaine Heney is an Irish horsewoman, film producer at Grey Pony Films, #1 best-selling author, and director of the award-winning 'Listening to the Horse™' documentary. She has helped over 120,000+ horse owners in 113 countries to create great relationships with their horses. Elaine's mission is to make the world a better place for the horse. She lives in Ireland with her horses Ozzie & Matilda. Discover Elaine’s books at her online book: www.elaineheneybooks.com

Online horse training courses

Discover our series of world-renowned online groundwork, riding, training programs and iPhone and Android apps. Visit Grey Pony Films & learn more:www.greyponyfilms.com

Table of contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

You did it...

Chapter 1

The little grey pony swished his tail and lifted his head, shaking off a few beads of early morning dew.  He snorted, and clouds of steam erupted from his nostrils as if he were some sort of cute, fluffy dragon.  The thought made Clodagh snort a giggle as she watched him through the living room window.  She imagined what it might be like to ride around the field on the little grey pony.  To feel the damp early morning mist on her face as they cantered up the slight incline of the field towards the old manor house.  She sighed deeply, leaning her elbows on the cold windowsill and staring at the pale rising sun casting pink hues over the grass and momentarily giving the pony a peach-coloured coat.

She was so engrossed in her daydream she barely noticed the squeak of the sitting room door as it opened.  The sound of shuffling feet ended with a thump as someone sat heavily down on the old floral couch she knew was behind her.  Clodagh turned, hoping it was her Dad, but already knowing it wasn’t.  Her older brother Sam acknowledged her good morning with a grunt, never taking his eyes off the video game he was playing, but he did pop in a pair of earphones so that the beeping noise of the game abruptly stopped.  Clodagh rolled her blue eyes and turned back to look at the pony again.  She wondered where he’d come from?  He hadn’t been there last night when she’d gone to bed, and she hadn’t heard anything, which seemed odd given that she could see the paddock from her bedroom window.  Basil the dog nudged open the door and padded over to her, pressing himself against her side.  She absently put her arm around the chocolate Labrador, pulling him into her a little.  It was cold without the fire lit. Basil was warm and snuggly. He absently licked her hand and she giggled, petting his head, her eyes never lifting from the grey pony.

Clodagh bit her lip as she watched him grazing happily, then she glanced over at Sam.  Slipping off the window seat, she crept over and sat down on the couch next to him, Basil trailing behind her.  She looked sideways at her brother from behind her curtain of blond hair.  He ignored her, continuing to tap the keys on his game. She watched as things she couldn’t identify moved across the screen, blowing up in showers of colourful pixels.  Finally, a big 100 crossed the centre of the screen and his fingers paused.  A little smile played at his lips, and she knew whatever that 100 meant, it was a good thing.

Sam, she said just loud enough for him to hear with his headphones on.  When did the pony come?

What pony?  he asked, still staring at the screen and tapping a few buttons.

The one in the paddock out front.

I don’t know, he replied as the next level of his game began to load.  Didn’t know there was a pony.

Sam? their mother’s voice called from the kitchen, Have you lit the fire?  The guests will be up soon.

Ugh! Sam sighed, knocking off the game, pulling himself off the couch and straightening his black sweatshirt.  I’m never going to beat my best score.

Sam stalked off towards the fire, shoving the game into the back pocket of his black jeans as he went.  Clodagh slipped off the couch and headed down the corridor towards the kitchen.  Maybe Ma knew something about the pony.  The smell of bacon reached her nose long before the sight of her mother did.  Clodagh was sick of the smell. The B&B guests always seemed to opt for full English breakfasts, and just once she wished breakfast smelt of fresh toast and juice rather than cooked bacon, egg and coffee.  She pushed open the kitchen door bracing for the smell to get stronger.

Clodagh’s mother looked up from the pan and smiled when she walked in.  She wiped her hands on her apron and popped some toast in the large silver toaster that sat by the window.  Clodagh plopped down on one of the wooden chairs sat around the huge farmhouse kitchen table as her mother passed her some hot buttered toast on a plate and a glass of juice.

Morning sweetie.  Guest’s will be up soon, once you’ve had your toast be a love and put some cutlery out for me, will you?

Sure Ma, Clodagh replied, taking a bite of the thick buttered toast. Ma?  Do you know anything about the pony?

Pony? her mother asked distractedly, turning a sausage in the pan while simultaneously filling a jug for coffee.

Yes, the grey one in the paddock out front.

Erm, Clodagh’s mother began getting plates out of one of the wooden cupboards and stacking them while checking the pans of sizzling sausage, bacon, egg and beans.

Ma?  Clodagh said.  The pony?

Oh, where did I put that new box of teabags? her mother muttered, pulling open several cupboards and a drawer Clodagh knew contained batteries and assorted knick knacks but definitely not earl grey, before finding the tea.  She began filling a little basket with various types, making sure they were neatly presented.

Ma!

What, sweetie?

Weren’t you listening to me at all? she asked, suddenly feeling invisible.

Her mother stopped and looked at her with a smile.  I’m sorry, love, you know things are tight for us at the moment. We need to get good reviews from the guests.  Everything has to be perfect.

Clodagh felt bad. She knew the B&B hadn’t done so well this year.  Both Ma and Dad were worried about it. There was usually at least a trickle of guests throughout the year, and some months they were packed full, especially in the summer months and over Christmas, but not this year.

I know, she nodded.  I just wanted to know about the pony.

Yes, the pony, I’m sorry love. I don’t know anything about a pony.  To be honest, I didn’t know there was one in the paddock at all.  Your Dad’s out back though. Why don’t you ask him.  Clodagh stuffed the last bit of toast in her mouth, feeling a little happier, and headed towards the door.

After the cutlery! her mother called out.

Clodagh walked out into the main hallway past the teak sideboard with its pretty inlaid flowers and glass top.  Her attention flicked for a moment to the photo of Aunt Lisa on her beautiful bay horse Matilda.  A frozen moment of dressage, Matilda in mid piaffe, Aunt Lisa dressed smartly in tops and tails, her face thoughtful but smiling.  Clodagh felt her heartbeat just a little faster. She wished that were her, that she could ride like Aunt Lisa.  She reached out her hand, her fingers gingerly brushing the