The Blind Pony

Pony Pals #15

by Jeanne Betancourt, Paul Bachem (Illustrator)

Facing the challenge of helping a friend deal with her pony's imminent blindness, the Pony Pals learn a lesson about taking care of a pony with special needs and about telling the truth. Original.

Genres: Horses, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Contemporary, Novels, Juvenile

75 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

About the author

When I was growing up I never thought of being an author. I was a terrible speller and didn't want to write any more than I had to. I wanted to be a tap dancer when I grew up. After a few years of teaching junior high and high school, I wrote my first novel. It was a surprise to discover that I liked making up stories and writing them down. I liked it so much that eventually I stopped teaching and became a fulltime writer.

Besides novels for children and young adults, I've also told stories by writing scripts for television and the movies.

I live on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. From my apartment I have a view of Manhattan that includes the Empire State Building and the Plaza Hotel. In my free time I draw, paint, and read. I still love to dance.

Some people think that a writer's life is lonely. But when I'm writing a story I don't feel lonely because I am actively involved with lots of interesting people – the characters in my books. I love knowing that some day readers will get to know these characters, too. If you are one of my readers I hope you have as much enjoyment in reading my stories as I have writing them.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice tale in a series called Pony Pals about girls in America who have their own ponies and enjoy trail riding. This time, the three girls meet a newcomer, Kim, whose lovely pony turns out to be blind.
As the pony lost his sight gradually, Kim's parents don't know yet, but they are so keen for her to compete that she's afraid of what they'll say when they find out the pony can't jump or do much trail work.
I like that the girls try to be good friends and come up with good ideas to help Kim and the pony. The nice sketches show us that Pam is African-American; while another girl Anna has dyslexia so she is better at drawing than writing. The other girl is Lulu who has lived in various places.

What is not done very well, is simply working at using riding aids to tell the pony when to turn around an obstacle. The girls think Kim should tell the pony with her voice to go around, when any well trained pony should obey leg and hand and balance aids to turn. As the partnership gets better balance can do most of the communication. This tells me that the author is not an experienced horsewoman. However, the drawings do show us that the girls always wear a hard hat when they ride. I also thought that the parents of Kim would not just accept her choice but would more likely want to buy her a second pony for competing.

This is an unbiased review.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good story, and I love how the Pony Pals continue to try to be friends with Kim even when she makes it clear she doesn't want them around her and her pony. The ending felt a little rushed, but it still worked, and this was an enjoyable book.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my series review on my blog Dragon Bite Books .

[Kaiden Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I liked it because I think it was a good story and I’m glad they kept the pony. I felt sad while I was reading because the pony was blind. This author is good. That’s all.

[JoReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favourite series (haven't read in a long time) giving all four stars unless it was a favourite as a child.

[Alisha Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pony Pals was one of my favourite "horsey" series growing up. Jeanne Betancourt has a writing skill that makes the books easy to read and interesting. I read many of the series and I was enthralled with each new story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

read them all

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read, filled with suspense.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first novels I ever read in English when I was in grade 5 or 6... I probably only understood half of it! But I loved horses so much at the time and this was a great read! :)

[WSL Library]

x2

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series!!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accelerated Reading Level 3.5, AR Points 1.0

This book is very good, interesting, teaches good character values.

[Bill]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13667142

[Hannah Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story <3

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my friends gave me this book in 2018 maybe 2017, it was the best thing someone could ever give to me. I'm just gonna rate it five stars cause it was so special to me. thank you fatima ❤❤❤