Showing results by narrator "Natalie Budig" in All Categories

It's been two years since Blackie, the horse Sam raised from a foal, threw her in a near-fatal accident. She's been separated from her family, her ranch, and the wild mustangs she loves. Now she's home again, but her beloved Blackie has been missing since the day Sam was injured. Then, on the night she returns, a mustang comes to Sam. Is it Blackie, grown up and gone wild? Is it the legendary stallion known as the Phantom? Or could it be both?

When Samantha rescues a beautiful draft horse from an auction, she's sure he'll be perfect to groom for resale. The giant horse - named Tinkerbell! - is so big, Sam can barely saddle him. He's great at jumping - over pasture fences. Will he be helpful at a ranch or too much to handle? Then disaster strikes River Bend, and it's Sam who needs help. And just in time to save the day, Tinkerbell's true strength is revealed.

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The Phantom's lead mare is missing from the herd, and Sam's worried she may have been captured. When Sam finds the mare safe - in government custody - she's desperate to set her free. But the horse is badly injured, and setting her free on the range could slow down the mare's entire herd, putting them at risk in the dangerous winter months. How far should Sam go to help the horses she loves?

Spend a day in the life of a search-and-rescue dog! Skye the border collie has spent her life comforting people after disasters. Lately, she’s also been training to help find people who have gone missing in her national park. But is she ready to make her first rescue? Told from the dog’s perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

When a hard-luck horse named Jinx comes to River Bend, everyone thinks he's a curse. Samantha knows he's not, but he is unruly, skittish, and the fastest horse she's ever seen. Then there's a runaway in the middle of the night, and someone gets a snakebite. Is the bronco really a jinx? Or could he be the good luck charm Sam needs to save the day?

When a lightning storm strikes the wild horse sanctuary and sets the pasture on fire, all the mustangs panic - including the Phantom's herd. Then, in the midst of the fire, a terrible accident injures the Phantom, and Sam is terrified that he might not recover. If he doesn't, can he survive in the wild? Or will Sam's wild horse need to be captured?

When a friend needs Samantha's help with his new colt and its mother, she's torn. Sam wants what's best for the horses, but her friend's plan could put them in danger. So when the two horses go missing, Sam feels responsible. She's sure the mare has run away with the Phantom, but what will happen to the colt? Can Sam bring him home before it's too late?

When a pack of vicious hunting dogs is found running loose on the range, Samantha is worried they might attack the Phantom Stallion's new foals. But the Phantom is busy protecting his herd from New Moon, a rival stallion and the Phantom's fully grown son. If Sam can't help the horses, will the stallions learn to band together in time?

Spend the day in the life of a detection dog! Tucker the beagle is more than just a friendly face at the airport. As part of the “beagle brigade”, he helps keep out invasive species that could hurt the environment. It’s a job that would be almost impossible for humans - but for the beagle brigade, it’s all in a day’s work. Told from the dog’s perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

The Phantom Stallion's new foal is ready to be born, and River Bend Ranch's own Dark Sunshine is the mother. Samantha couldn't be more excited, and she's sure she can handle the new baby while everyone is gone on the annual cattle drive.

Samantha discovers a plot to wipe out the wild horses near her family's ranch, but she can't convince anyone else that the Phantom's herd needs help. When her insistence that the mustangs are in danger pits her against her family, her classmates, and the local sheriff, her only friend left is the Phantom Stallion. Can he help her solve the mustang mystery before her dad sends her out of harm’s way, back to San Francisco?

As Samantha and her friends prepare for a charity horse race, they're very excited. Sam is riding Ace, and her race partner, Jake, plans to train a pinto filly running free on reservation lands. But the wild pinto has other plans. When the filly escapes and runs off with the Phantom, Sam is torn. If she helps Jake, she's taking the filly away from the Phantom. Will she betray her friend or her wild horse?

Sam discovers a lost palomino in a spooky ghost town. The horse looks like a mirage, but also looks well cared for, and even familiar. Could it be the missing horse from her best friend's ranch? Sam needs to get the mare back home safely, but there might be something trying to stop her - her other best friend, the Phantom Stallion.

Sam and the mysterious mustang known as the Phantom have become friends, and Sam is determined to defend his freedom on the open range. But the mustang has been accused of stealing tame mares from local ranchers. Sam knows the Phantom isn't to blame, and she races to prove his innocence. Then, a local rancher offers a reward to anyone who can capture the wild stallion. A price on his head means it's not just the Phantom's freedom Sam is fighting for - it's his life.

Spend a day in the life of a star! Bella the Jack Russell terrier was born for the stage - she never misses her mark, and her bark is always on cue. But her dog brother, Chewy the German shepherd, always gets the big roles. Will Bella ever get her time in the spotlight? Told from the dog's perspective, this story also includes back matter about the breed and role of the working dog.

Darby Carter loves horses, even though she's never actually ridden one. Darby's grandfather is an expert rider—in fact, he owns a horse ranch in Hawaii. So when he agrees to take her in–along with the beautiful mustang Darby saved on the range in Nevada–she knows she can't refuse, even if she is a little terrified! But Darby's filly arrives in bad shape, and Darby's grandfather wonders if the wild horse will ever trust a human again. Can Darby take the reins and save her horse–or has she lost the mustang forever?

Samantha can't wait for the holiday break from school. But there's no time to relax: Brynna's baby is due any day; the local authorities are gathering more mustangs from the range; and her best friend Jen's ranch is in upheaval—its owner, Linc Slocum, has just been arrested, and no one is sure what will happen to Jen and her family. But then, disaster strikes: A terrible blizzard traps the Phantom Stallion's band. Sam has to help them, but she's terrified they'll be captured. Can she save her beloved mustangs and keep them free—for good?

Samantha and Jen are out camping when they meet Nicholas, a boy traveling cross-country on a beautiful Gypsy Vanner mare. His caravan also includes a young colt. Nicholas says it's a stray, but the colt looks a lot like a missing mustang. When people start getting suspicious, Sam blames discrimination. She sticks up for her new friend and hopes she’s right.

The Phantom's lead mare is injured, and Samantha wants to help her. But she can't call the vet—what if he won't let the mare return to the wild? So Sam starts treating the mare's injuries in secret. But the horse seems awfully calm for a mustang, and she matches the description of a missing mare from California. Is Sam helping a mustang, or has she accidentally stolen someone's horse?