It's been three years since their herd settled in True Valley. Thistle has just become a mare and is settled into her role as Healer. But now that she's a mare there's pressure on her to pick a stallion and raise a foal to become Lead Mare! That's stressful enough without the news Hope Springs has brought them.

The herd's still growing, still building, and new ponies are arriving all the time. Thistle wants to help, but she's got to keep one very important fact in mind.

Some monsters have hooves.