Horseplay Category

Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 46. Jakes and the Lady

Black horse in a green field

Chapter 46. Jakes and the Lady

I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him he thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he was quite right, and if my master had always been on the premises I do not think I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who was always hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had quite a full load he would order something else to be taken on. My carter, whose name was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, but the other always overruled him. “‘Twas no use going twice when once would do, and he chose to get business forward.” Read more

Horse Image of the Week

Horse tacked up and tied up

Why We Like It

There is definitely something gloomy & melancholy about this image, but we like it anyway. The horse doesn’t look particularly sad (or underfed) just tired. It’s really the setting itself that gives it an ominous vibe. Regardless of the slightly horror movie feel, we give this shot a thumbs up. We do, however, want to move this poor guy out of that deep mud!
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 45. Jerry’s New Year

Black horse in a green field

Chapter 45. Jerry’s New Year

For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for cabmen and cabmen’s horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. Read more

Horse Image of the Week

Horses in a pasture

Why We Like It

There is something eternally magnificent & noble about the equine animal. This image is one of those rare one that captures the spirit of this beautiful animal perfectly. It’s simply a lucky shot of the horse in the foreground looking all alert & elegant, but there is something almost poetic about it.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 43. A Friend in Need

Black horse in a green field

Chapter 43. A Friend in Need

The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and me. First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to go to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished to be taken to the Regent’s Park; and next we were wanted in a side street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had set her down a red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came running up out of breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened the door, popped himself in, and called out, “Bow Street Police Station, quick!” so off we went with him, and when after another turn or two we came back, there was no other cab on the stand. Jerry put on my nose-bag, for as he said, “We must eat when we can on such days as these; so munch away, Jack, and make the best of your time, old boy.” Read more

Horse Image of the Week

Bay horse grazing in flowers

Why We Like It

Is there a better combination than horses & flowers? We didn’t think so. There are many reasons to love this image beyond the simple beauty of the photography itself. There is something very relaxing about watching a horse graze & this image captures that beautifully. Although we are a little worried, too much clover can be toxic to horses!
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 42. The Election

Black horse in a green field

Chapter 42. The Election

As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. “Jerry! I’ve had Mr. B here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab for the election; he will call for an answer.”

“Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. I should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses to bring up half-drunken voters, why, I think ‘twould be an insult to the horses. No, I shan’t do it.” Read more

Horse Image of the Week

Dun Dartmore ponies grazing

Why We Like It

Who doesn’t love a mother & baby shot? There are many reasons why we love this image & cuteness is just one of them. These are Dartmore ponies which are an incredibly old breed (the first documentation of their existence was over a millennia ago!). These are also very obviously dun animals (one of our faves) as we can see that lovely dorsal stripe down their backs.
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Read Black Beauty Online – Chapter 41. The Butcher

Black horse in a green field

Chapter 41. The Butcher

I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, and much of it might have been prevented by a little common sense. We horses do not mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, and I am sure there are many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life than I had when I used to go in the Countess of W’s carriage, with my silver-mounted harness and high feeding. Read more