The Boy and the Miniature Horse

The Boy and the Miniature Horse Jane MEADOW

Felix lived on a farm with a big red barn and a little white fence. One morning, a surprise waited for him. A miniature horse stood in the stall, no taller than Felix's waist. The horse had a chestnut-brown coat, a cream mane, and a red halter with a round brass tag. The tag said 'Button.' Felix grinned his gap-toothed smile. 'A tiny horse! This will be easy!' 1

Felix pulled on his green bucket hat and ran to the barn. Button blinked his large dark eyes and gave a soft nicker. 'Hi, Button,' Felix said. 'We're going to have so much fun!' He filled a bucket with fresh water and gave Button a handful of hay. Button ate it quickly, then pawed the ground. 'He must be bored,' Felix thought. 'Cuddles will fix that.' 2

Felix hugged Button and brushed his fuzzy muzzle. But Button didn't want to stand still. He trotted in circles around his stall, swishing his cream tail. 'Whoa, little guy,' Felix laughed. 'You're full of energy!' Button nudged Felix's chest pocket and nickered again. Felix didn't understand. He thought a tiny horse would be calm and quiet. Button was small, but he was not sleepy at all. 3

The next day, Felix tried to keep Button inside. 'You're so little,' he said. 'You can rest all day.' But Button stamped his small hooves and pushed against the stall door. He wanted to go out. Felix opened the gate, and Button trotted into the sunny field. He kicked up his heels and ran in happy circles. Felix chased after him, laughing. 'Okay, okay! You like to move!' 4

Button ran and ran. He bucked and played and rolled in the soft grass. Felix sat on the fence and watched. After a while, Button came back, breathing hard but looking happy. 'You needed that,' Felix said. He gave Button a cool drink. Button nuzzled Felix's shoulder. Felix began to see that Button wasn't just a toy. He was a real horse with real needs. 5

The next morning, Button was waiting at the gate again. Felix knew what to do. He led Button to the field and let him run. But when Felix started to leave, Button whinnied loudly. He trotted to the fence and looked at Felix with big, sad eyes. 'You don't want to be alone,' Felix said. So Felix stayed. He sat in the grass and told Button stories. Button listened with his ears forward. 6

Felix brought a ball to the field. He rolled it, and Button chased it. They played until both were tired. Felix noticed that Button seemed happier when he had company. 'You need a friend,' Felix said. 'I can be your friend.' Button nibbled Felix's sleeve gently. Felix laughed. 'Hey! That's my shirt!' He gave Button a scratch behind the ears. 7

One day, Felix's mom said, 'Button needs a checkup. Dr. Mira is coming.' Felix felt nervous. 'Will Button be okay?' he asked. Mom smiled. 'Dr. Mira will help us keep him healthy.' Soon, a tall woman with silver-streaked hair arrived. She wore teal scrubs and a white coat. A stethoscope hung around her neck. 'Hello, Felix,' she said. 'I'm Dr. Mira.' 8

Dr. Mira knelt beside Button. She listened to his heart with the stethoscope. Button stood very still. 'Good boy,' she said. Then she checked his hooves and his teeth. Felix watched closely. 'Is he healthy?' Felix asked. Dr. Mira smiled. 'He's a bit chubby,' she said. 'Miniature horses can get too round if they don't exercise.' Felix's eyes went wide. 'I thought he was just cuddly!' 9

Dr. Mira showed Felix how to measure Button's feed. 'He needs just the right amount,' she said. 'Not too much, not too little.' She also showed Felix how to check Button's hooves for stones. 'And he needs to run every day,' she said. 'A small horse still needs to move.' Felix nodded. He wrote everything down on a little clipboard. 'I'll take good care of him,' he promised. 10

Felix made a plan. Every morning, he let Button out to run in the field. Every afternoon, he brushed Button's coat until it shone. He gave Button fresh water and the right amount of hay. He even made a game of cleaning the stall. Button followed Felix everywhere. 'You're my best helper,' Felix told him. Button nickered as if he understood. 11

Felix also learned to watch Button's mood. When Button pinned his ears back, Felix knew he was grumpy. When Button rested his head on Felix's shoulder, Felix knew he was happy. 'You're my friend,' Felix whispered. Button nuzzled his cheek. Felix felt proud. He had learned that caring for Button meant more than just hugs. It meant paying attention. 12

One windy day, Button seemed restless. He trotted back and forth by the fence. Felix remembered what Dr. Mira said about company. 'You need a buddy,' Felix said. He brought a soft radio outside and turned it on low. Button cocked his head and listened. Then he relaxed. Felix sat beside him. 'I'll stay with you,' he said. Button leaned against him. They watched the clouds together. 13

Dr. Mira came back for another checkup. She smiled when she saw Button. 'He looks strong!' she said. She checked his hooves and his weight. 'Felix, you've done a great job. Button is healthy and happy.' Felix beamed. 'He needs exercise and company,' Felix said. 'And checkups, too.' Dr. Mira nodded. 'You've learned a lot.' Button nuzzled Felix's pocket, looking for a treat.