Joan Begbie

British author. Not a hugely prolific writer. She only wrote the one pony book, although did illustrate a horsy book called A Pocketful of Ponies by Jean Cree (which is incidentally a very rare book indeed). She did not however illustrate her own pony story. She also wrote a dog story called Sergeant the Dog and a number of books on walking/hiking.

Horse & Pony Books:

FREELANCE THE PONY
FIRST PRINTED: HOLLIS & CARTER 1947
FIRST USA EDITION: DODD, MEAD 1952
ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK GREY
Reprinted in hardback by Hollis & Carter.
American edition published by Dodd, Mead in 1952.
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
SUMMARY: The story of a New Forest Pony. Freelance was to be Judith's pony but when her father is lost at sea there is no money for luxuries and he is sold to someone else.
PONYMAD VIEW: Although this is set in the usual 'Black Beauty' mould of a horse going downhill in the world it is a better than average example of the type. It is however quite uncompromising in its portrayal of some of the ill treatment the pony suffers so perhaps not for the very sensitive reader.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
Both the UK and USA editions can be found without too much trouble on internet bookshops. Prices seem to vary a huge amount so shop around before buying. The book which Joan Begbie illustrated, A Pocketful of Ponies by Jean Cree, is very rare and usually quite expensive. Her dog story is probably the easiest and cheapest of all her books to find.