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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell

The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was
very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see
that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in
his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not
pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then
he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and
drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe
was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used
to it.

And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness;
there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just
on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called
blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either
side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle
with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the
crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked
through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like
kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so
in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my
mother.

I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have
always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a
fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted
on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was
turned in among them.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell ​

Context of the Source ​

Black Beauty (1877) is a novel by Anna Sewell, written from the first-person perspective of a horse named Black Beauty. The book is one of the earliest and most influential works of animal welfare literature, advocating for the humane treatment of horses during the Victorian era. Sewell, who was disabled and relied on horse-drawn carriages, wrote the novel to expose the cruelty horses often endured, from harsh training methods to overwork and neglect. The excerpt provided describes Black Beauty’s early training, including the fitting of horseshoes, harnessing, and desensitization to railway noises—a process that reflects both the physical and psychological adjustments horses had to make in 19th-century England.

Themes in the Excerpt ​

  1. The Harshness of Domestication & Human Control

    • The passage highlights the unnatural and often uncomfortable process of turning a wild or free-spirited horse into a working animal.
    • The iron shoes, stiff collar, blinkers, and crupper are all tools of human domination, restricting the horse’s natural movements and senses.
    • The phrase "I never felt more like kicking" suggests resistance and frustration, but Black Beauty suppresses this instinct out of trust (or fear) of his master.

  2. Adaptation and Resignation

    • The repeated phrase "in time I got used to it" underscores the passive acceptance horses were forced into.
    • This mirrors the broader theme of animal suffering in silence, as horses (unlike humans) cannot protest their treatment.
    • The gradual desensitization (e.g., to the railway) is framed as an "advantage," but it also implies forced compliance—a bittersweet aspect of training.

  3. Trust vs. Exploitation

    • Black Beauty’s master is described as "good," suggesting he is kinder than most, yet the process is still invasive and uncomfortable for the horse.
    • The contradiction between the master’s care ("to see that I was not hurt") and the inherent cruelty of the process (nails driven into hooves, tail restrained) raises questions about ethical treatment—even well-meaning humans impose suffering for utility.

  4. Loss of Freedom & Sensory Deprivation

    • The blinkers symbolize restricted vision, both literally and metaphorically—horses are denied the ability to see their surroundings fully, just as they are denied autonomy.
    • The crupper (a strap under the tail) is described as "nasty" and "almost as bad as the bit", reinforcing the physical discomfort of harnessing.
    • The railway training (though framed as beneficial) is another layer of human-imposed conditioning, preparing the horse for the industrialized world’s noises and dangers.

Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices ​

  1. First-Person Narration (Anthropomorphism)

    • Sewell gives Black Beauty a human-like voice, allowing readers to empathize with the horse’s experiences.
    • Phrases like "I hated the crupper" and "I never felt more like kicking" make the horse’s suffering relatable, bridging the gap between animal and human emotion.

  2. Sensory & Tactile Imagery

    • The description of hoof-trimming, nailing shoes, and the stiff collar creates a visceral experience for the reader.
    • Words like "clapped," "drove," "doubled up," and "poked" convey force and discomfort, making the process feel violent despite the master’s good intentions.

  3. Juxtaposition of Care and Cruelty

    • The master is protective ("to see that I was not hurt"), yet the act itself is painful (nails in hooves, restricted movement).
    • This duality reflects the Victorian attitude toward animals—seen as both companions and tools, deserving of kindness but still subjected to hardship.

  4. Symbolism

    • Iron shoes = The weight of domestication, forcing the horse to bear unnatural burdens.
    • Blinkers = Ignorance and control, limiting the horse’s perception to only what humans allow.
    • Railway training = The encroachment of industrialization, where even pastoral animals must adapt to human progress.

  5. Repetition for Emphasis

    • "I got used to it" is repeated, reinforcing the inevitability of submission.
    • "New things to wear" highlights the accumulation of restrictions placed on the horse.

Significance of the Passage ​

  1. Historical Context: Horse Welfare in the 19th Century

    • The excerpt reflects real practices of horse training, including hot shoeing (fitting shoes while the iron is hot) and blinkers to prevent distractions.
    • Sewell’s detailed description exposes the cruelty behind seemingly routine procedures, contributing to reforms in animal treatment.

  2. Critique of Human Dominance Over Nature

    • The passage subtly questions whether domestication is ethical, even when done "kindly."
    • The horse’s resignation ("I could do my work as well as my mother") suggests a cycle of generational suffering—animals are born into servitude.

  3. Foreshadowing of Black Beauty’s Future Struggles

    • The early training sets up later abuse and hardship Black Beauty endures under less caring owners.
    • The railway scene hints at the dangers of industrialization, a recurring theme as horses face accidents and mistreatment in urban settings.

  4. Emotional Impact on Readers

    • By making the horse’s perspective central, Sewell humanizes animals, encouraging readers to see them as sentient beings rather than property.
    • The matter-of-fact tone ("it did not pain me") contrasts with the underlying trauma, making the suffering more poignant.

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters ​

This passage is more than just a description of horse training—it is a microcosm of the novel’s central themes: the cost of human progress on animals, the illusion of "kind" control, and the silent endurance of suffering. Sewell’s realistic yet empathetic portrayal forces readers to confront the ethical implications of using animals for labor. The excerpt’s power lies in its simplicity—by focusing on small, everyday cruelties, it reveals the larger systemic exploitation of horses in Victorian society.

Ultimately, Black Beauty remains a timeless call for compassion, and this passage exemplifies how even "necessary" training can be a form of oppression when viewed from the animal’s perspective.