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Rodeo Rocky (Horses of Half Moon Ranch)
Rodeo Rocky - Horses of Half Moon Ranch
Author: Jenny Oldfield
There is no greater trust than the one between a rider and her horse. Kirstie Scott lives for horses. While at a local rodeo contest, she is horrified to see how Rocky, an injured horse, is treated. Kirstie persuades her mother to buy him, but soon learns that training an ex-rodeo horse is not easy. And when Rocky throws Kirstie on...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781402213281
ISBN-10: 140221328X
Publication Date: 9/1/2008
Pages: 160
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 3

3.8 stars, based on 3 ratings
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

GeniusJen avatar reviewed Rodeo Rocky (Horses of Half Moon Ranch) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Thirteen-year-old Kirstie Scott and her mother, the owner of Half Moon Ranch, have taken their guests to see the local rodeo.

Kirstie, however, is not enjoying the events as much as the guests are. She feels sickened watching the poor treatment of the animals, especially when they bring out the recently captured wild horses for the wild horse race.

Kirstie is taken by the beauty of a spirited bay stallion who gives his handlers a lot of trouble before winning the race. When she sees that they plan to use him for another event, Kirstie pleads with the organizer to let "Rodeo Rocky" rest. He refuses, saying that they plan on making him a champion so that they can sell him at auction for a high price.

Kirstie's mother, seeing her daughter in distress, offers to buy Rocky from the organizer on the condition that he not participate in another event. After some haggling, he finally agrees, and Kirstie is absolutely elated.

The other ranch workers protest that buying an untrained horse is a humongous waste of money, but Kirstie is determined to turn Rocky into a good working horse without the usual, harsh methods. She finds that breaking in a wild horse may be tougher than she'd thought.

Having recently attended the Tucson Rodeo, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the portrayal of the rodeo personnel, since most rodeos do not go to such violent extremes with their animals, and have strict regulations to keep the animals safe and healthy. Putting that aside, I think most animal lovers would empathize with Kirstie's struggle to find a kinder way to break in a horse.
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