A Horse to Love — Nancy Springer

Caring for a horse isn’t always a picnic Erin is thrilled when her parents agree to buy her a horse. She doesn’t even mind holding up her end of the agreement—keeping up her grades, mending clothes, and helping out with chores around the house. She’ll do anything as long as it means having a horse of her very own. But owning a horse is nothing like Erin imagined. The old mare whom she names Spindrift can be grouchy and ill tempered. And having a horse means lots of extra responsibility—feeding her, grooming her, training her. Luckily, Erin’s aunt Lexie knows a thing or two about horses and is willing to show her the ropes.  But even Aunt Lexie can’t keep Erin out of trouble entirely.