Storm and the Magic Saddle

Storm is a most unusual horse. Under saddle he is a “show stopping” magnificent Tennessee Walking Horse. When the saddle is removed, he becomes the cross between Dennis the Menace and Goofy. Li'l Liza Jane is a young, beautiful prissy ¾ Arabian pinto. She shows no respect for her elders and refuses to abide by the herd hierarchy. She is convinced that Arabs are superior and will settle for nothing less as a possible mate. Dasher is a Quarter Horse. He is the pasture leader (alpha male) and retired undefeated as a ¼ mile racehorse. He puts up with Liza because he finds her amusing. Bucky was purchased from a riding stable. He has no patience for Liza and constantly trades barbs with her. He is disgusted with the lack of respect she shows Dasher. He is an ugly horse with a head far too large for his body.
Life at the Doyle household is turned upside down when Reta and Dave purchase Storm. He arrives young and extremely immature. He has little knowledge of the real world. His pasture mates are dumbfounded by his naiveté. For heaven sakes, he arrived not even sure what his name was! From the moment Storm becomes a member of the family, it is one crisis after another.
Buzz, a friendly but irritating horsefly, is thrown into the mix. He is familiar with Storm and relates the story of Storm’s magic saddle to Liza. Ironically, a saddle was given to the family with the purchase of Storm. When the saddle is donned, a remarkable transition from “buffoon” to “super horse” does take place. The humans as well as the horses are stunned and confused by the transition.
The pot is stirred when the mother (Reta) has a conversation with the senile vet that delivered Storm. He informs her that the saddle does in fact have magical powers. This creates a great deal of internal conflict for Reta and her husband Dave. The thought of a magic saddle shakes at the roots of all they have been brought up to believe.
The primary plot revolves around the mystery of the saddle. There are of course, several other subplots. The primary characters are the family consisting of Reta, Dave, the children Donnie, and Robbie; and of course, the horses. Other high profile characters include: Barbara Scumberg: the villain of the story. Buzz: a loveable but nosey horsefly. Shellby: a proud and intelligent armadillo who is having a tough time raising a family under the Doyle’s back porch. Seth Adams: a senile yet humorous character who delivered Storm. Jimmy Noggle: Storm’s original trainer who Storm loves and thinks abandoned him. The barn cats and of course Snugs, the family dog.
The book tackles such issues as prejudices, stereotyping, magic, family values, faith, good versus evil, and true love. Throughout the manuscript Storm seems to be inept without the saddle and spectacular with it on.