Black Beauty

Black Beauty is born on a farm in the English countryside during the 19th century. He stays by his mother's side in his early days and is eventually sent to Birtwick Park to serve Squire Gordon and his family. His life begins as a working horse in a world of changing fortunes.

Beauty arrives at Birtwick Park to serve the squire and his family. Lady Gordon names him Black Beauty, and he soon befriends Ginger and Merrylegs. He begins to learn the social rhythms of a genteel estate.

On a stormy night, Beauty refuses to cross a partially flooded bridge. John Manly slips, but Beauty's steadiness helps save him as the bridge gives way and they fall into the river. The squire, Beauty, and John manage to make it back home.

Joe Green, a stable hand, tends Beauty but mishandles him by giving ice-cold water and not drying him properly. Beauty falls ill, and over the next days John, Joe, and the squire nurse him back to health. The close care cements a bond between the horse and his human caretakers.

Lady Gordon's illness worsens and a doctor recommends moving to a warmer climate. The squire and his family bid a sad farewell to John, Joe, and the horses as they leave for health and safety. Merrylegs is given to the vicar to ensure care and avoid sale.

Beauty and Ginger are taken to Earlshall Park, home of the Lord and Lady of Wexmire. Joe bids a tearful goodbye to Beauty as they part. The two horses begin pulling the Lady Wexmire's carriage, starting a new chapter in their lives.

Under Lady Wexmire's orders, the horses wear bearing reins to keep their heads high. Ginger resents the tightened control and breaks away in a rage. As a consequence, she is forbidden from carriage duty and later used for racing, suffering under harsher treatment.

Reuben Smith rides Beauty to town to fetch a carriage for repainting and gets drunk at a tavern. When a shoe falls off and a rough ride worsens the horse's condition, Beauty and Reuben are injured and Reuben is fired. Beauty's knees are damaged, leading to his sale.

Beauty is sold to a man who keeps horses for renting and treats them poorly. At a fair, Beauty spots Joe, now grown, but Joe does not recognize him. A London taxi driver, Jerry Barker, haggles to buy him for 17 guineas and takes him into his warm family.

Jerry renames Beauty Black Jack and he enjoys life as a taxi horse in London. He reunites briefly with Ginger, who is now a cab horse who has endured years of abuse. Ginger is led away by her owner, and later Beauty discovers Ginger's dead body on a wagon.

One snowy night, Jerry's cough worsens and a doctor advises him to quit. Beauty is sold to a grain dealer who forces him to pull heavy flour carts. After two years of exhausting work, he collapses from sheer weariness.

Beauty is taken to a fair to be sold, but fails to attract buyers. Farmer Thoroughgood and his grandson spot Beauty, and a young man recognizes Joe's voice, who has aged into a friend. Beauty and Joe are reunited, and Joe promises never to sell Beauty, spending the rest of his life on Thoroughgood's farm.