Barrow Hill, behind Little Applewood, is threatened by plans to build a by-pass. Emma learns that there was once a chalk pony cut out of the hillside and is sure that its reappearance can save the hill. Emma and Sheltie set out to find the pony and restore it as a village feature before the planners arrive and the roadworks begin. They find a mere shadow of the chalk pony under the brambles and weeds and Emma enlists all her friends to help in the clearing. The chalk pony is eventually restoredin a race against time. The new chalk pony looks fatter than the original - a lot like Sheltie in fact - but the hill is saved.