Content Warning: The Red Pony contains depictions of animal abuse and death.

Billy Buck is a ranch hand for Carl Tiflin. Carl and his wife share a 10-year-old son, Jody. One morning, Jody has breakfast with his parents and Billy. Billy and Carl soon go to Salinas on business. Meanwhile, on the ranch, Jody pets the dogs, Doubletree Mutt and Smasher, then drinks from the spring pipe. He looks at Billy’s bunkhouse and some buzzards feeding. Jody smashes a melon in the garden and covers up the evidence. Mrs. Tiflin gives Jody his lunch, and he walks to school.

After school, Jody’s mother gives him a doughnut and tells him to do his chores. Billy and Carl return from a sheriff’s auction for dinner. Carl tells Jody to meet him in the morning. The following day, after breakfast, Carl shows Jody the “red pony colt” (143) he got at the auction. Jody will have to learn from Billy how to take care of the pony. The pony bites Jody’s hand, then allows Jody to pet him. Billy gives Jody a saddle, and Jody names the pony Gabilan, after the mountains.

After school, six boys come to the ranch to see Jody’s pony.