his first home with Farmer Grey as a pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water. He tells of when he was young and lived on his mother’s milk, free to run by her side and lie close to her at night. Throughout the book, Black Beauty strives to be a good horse and follow the advice his mother, whose name was Duchess, gave him when he was a very young foal.
“I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play."
His first home is with Mr. Gordon and his family, who treat their horses well. He is cared for by a groom named John Manly who never uses a whip, and whose wife gives him the name Black Beauty.
Over the years, Beauty learns to carry riders and pull a carriage. He goes from being treated well to receiving cruel treatment from one of his owners who rides him hard and uses a whip. Along the way, he finds companionship in Merrylegs, a mischievous pony, and Ginger, a rebellious filly.