A Pony in the Field — Marion Doren

The pony was a surprise -- in more ways than one.

Meg has always wanted a horse, but her parents say it's too expensive. So she has to settle for riding lessons at High Ridge. The other students -- snooty girls Meg calls Barn Rats -- have their own horses and are mean to Meg. Only her best friend, Samantha, understands how she feels.

At last, for her birthday, Meg 's parents give her a Shetland pony named Beauty. Meg thinks life will be perfect now. But caring for Beauty turns out to be a lot more work than Meg ever imagined. With less and less time for Sam, Meg finds their friendship slipping away.

Met puts up with the Barn Rats' teasing, calling Beauty a runt. But when they try to steal Sam away from her, she realizes she'll have to fight for her friend, and her pony.