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The Littlest Horse in the Herd

?????Cory sat proudly on Spunk as they herded the cattle back to the ranch.The Littlest Horse in the Herd Cory and his family live on a large ranch where they raise cattle.I found the cattle in a dry creek of thick, thorny bushes.Cory helped his father put Spunk into a fenced area called a corral.This working family rides horses to round up or herd cattle together.At the barn, Cory watched his brothers Jed and Lennie.They swung their saddles onto the high, strong backs of their horses.Jed and Lennie sat tall in the saddles."Yep," his father said, cinching the saddle on the miniature horse.He gave the strap an extra pull to ensure it wasn't loose.Jed and Lennie smiled at each other.Jed's horse didn't like getting scratched.Once they guide the cattle into a group, they use their horses to drive or move them back to the ranch.Standing up straight against the wall, Cory marked above his head with a pencil."I'm still the shortest in my class," he sighed.Someday wasn't soon enough for Cory."Dad, do you know of anything I can do to grow faster? Are there any special foods or exercises that might help?"Cory couldn't believe his ears.Then Cory's father walked up, leading a miniature horse."This horse's name is Spunk. The word spunk means a special kind of courage. You'll soon see why I gave him that name. Now let's get going."Lennie's horse kept slipping on the rocks.He wanted to weave through the bushes, moving in and out like a wild rabbit.He climbed rocky hills like a mountain goat.He could make cattle move faster than the larger horses could.Cory had just turned nine years old.Cory felt like crying.??????