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Age and build

Height and breeding

“Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had more of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands high” (Black Beauty, part 10)

Young colt at first home

“I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead” (Black Beauty, part 3)

Face and hair

Coat colour and markings

“I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Star and white foot

“I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead” (Black Beauty, part 3)

Sweet, good-tempered face

“he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Dress

Saddle and bridle for riding

“he brought a saddle, but it was not broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, which fitted nicely” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Harness equipment

“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” (Black Beauty, part 3)

Iron shoes

“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” (Black Beauty, part 3)

Voice and speech

Whinny and neighing

“I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go” (Black Beauty, part 16)

Low moan when in pain

“I gave a low moan, for I was in great pain” (Black Beauty, part 18)

Joyful neigh

“the next moment I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke leading Ginger with him” (Black Beauty, part 16)

Signature words

Direct speech to other horses

“How do you do? What is your name” (Black Beauty, part 4)

Thoughtful reflection

“I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Gait and mannerisms

Galloping at full speed

“we used to gallop all together round and round the field as hard as we could go” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Trotting and cantering

“He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we had a splendid gallop” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Lifting feet well when trotting

“lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Standing still and patient

“I stood still and let him come up; he held the oats to me, and I began to eat without fear” (Black Beauty, part 7)

Strengths

Obedience and good training

“I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Courage and instinct in danger

“I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop” (Black Beauty, part 12)

Speed and endurance

“for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race at Newmarket, could have gone faster” (Black Beauty, part 18)

Gentle temperament

“the lightest touch of the rein will guide him” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Flaws

Youthful high spirits and restlessness

“Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet” (Black Beauty, part 6)

Initial fear of new things

“I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear” (Black Beauty, part 3)

Vulnerability to poor care

“I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, and I could not draw my breath without pain” (Black Beauty, part 18)

Traits

Well-bred and well-born

“You have been well-bred and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Gentle and good-tempered

“I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways” (Black Beauty, part 1)

Intelligent and perceptive

“it's my opinion he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Loyal and devoted

“I grew very fond of him, he was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels” (Black Beauty, part 5)

Observant and reflective

“I often thought of John's words when I came to know more of the world” (Black Beauty, part 19)

Lines in their own words

Greeting Merrylegs

“How do you do? What is your name” (Black Beauty, part 4)

Questioning Sir Oliver

“How dreadful!” I exclaimed” (Black Beauty, part 10)

Responding to Ginger about biting

“I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or kick John or James” (Black Beauty, part 8)

Asking about blinkers

“Can any one tell me the use of blinkers” (Black Beauty, part 10)