When Ambrose is forced to sell his horse because of an injury, he must find a new animal that can handle the rigors of the mountains while packing for his uncleís trail-riding outfit.
To save an old lady's beloved companion from the meat-buyers, Ambrose buys a horse who would be better off in retirement than climbing the treacherous trails of the Rocky Mountains. The horse, Society Girl, almost dies on the trail, and Ambrose realizes she will have to go back to the meat-auction. When Ryan, a misbehaving ten-year-old, takes the horse and disappears into the teeth of a dangerous mountain storm, Ambrose and Janice are forced to work together to find him. Will the young boy and the elderly horse survive a vicious hailstorm? Will Society Girl prove that she has a future? Will Ambrose be able to save the old horse from certain death?
"Short and sweet, this is likely to please outdoorsy teens as well as the usual horse-mad girls."
– KLIATT
“This small volume, beautifully written with vivid imagery and well-developed characters and plot, explains how sometimes what might seem like a bad decision might actually be a good one.”
– Western Horseman
"Morck's experience with horses and trail-riding in the mountains is most evident...This book is aimed at an audience that is not limited to older adolescents; the gentle but engaging animal-human adventure story will also find a ready audience among middle-school students. Recommended."
– Canadian Book Review Annual
“With just enough horses to appease girls, and just evough adventure to engage boys, Tough Trails delivers strong characters, adventures, and an easy to understand linear plot in just under 100 pages. Nothing in here will offend, either, making this an uncontroversial choice for classrooms. Recommended.”
– NMRLS Book Review Group
"The action driven story will have reluctant readers galloping through this title. Sentences are short, grammar is uncomplicated, while the plot provides much material for discussion."
– Resource Links
“Provides readers with a true sense of escape and adventure. Sure to appeal to animal lovers and adventure lovers alike, it presents colourful characters and a unique plot.”
– CM Magazine
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice | 2004 | Commended
Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Top Forty | 2003 | Commended
Download the Tough Trails Teacher Guide.
