Black Beauty’s world is about to change. Gone are the rolling pastures and gentle hands of Birtwick Park. At Earlshall Park, appearance is everything, and comfort is sacrificed for vanity.

The cruel bearing rein forces Black Beauty and Ginger to hold their heads unnaturally high, straining their bodies and spirits. Ginger fights back, her temper raging as fiercely as ever.

The days grow harsher, ruled by ruthless grooms and thoughtless masters. Even glimmers of kindness, like the gentle Lady Anne and the skilled Reuben Smith, cannot hold back the tide of misfortune. A single reckless decision changes everything, and Black Beauty is thrown into an uncertain future.

Once a prized horse, now a creature of misfortune, he faces a world where kindness is rare and suffering is constant. As he is cast into the unknown, one question remains—how much can a horse endure before his spirit is broken?

PART TWO CONTENTS

• Chapter 22: Earlshall Park

• Chapter 23: A Strike for Liberty

• Chapter 24: The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse

• Chapter 25: Reuben Smith

• Chapter 26: How it Ended

• Chapter 27: Ruined and Going Downhill

• Chapter 28: A Job Horse and His Drivers

• Chapter 29: Cockneys

• Chapter 30: A Thief

• Chapter 31: A Humbug

The wind shifts as Black Beauty and Ginger arrive at Earlshall Park, a grand estate where wealth and prestige overshadow kindness. The stables are orderly, the grounds immaculate, but beneath the surface lies a world where appearances matter more than comfort. Here, horses are expected to carry themselves with elegance, their heads held high—not by choice, but by force.

At first, the work seems manageable, but soon, Beauty and Ginger are fitted with bearing reins, cruel devices designed to arch their necks unnaturally for the sake of fashion.

The discomfort is immediate, the strain relentless, but refusal is not tolerated. Ginger resists, her fiery spirit unwilling to bow to human vanity, while Beauty, though troubled, learns that obedience is the safer path.

As the tension in the stables builds, so does the pressure on the horses. Each tightening of the rein is a test of endurance, each moment of defiance met with discipline.

But how long can they endure before something breaks? Not all who enter Earlshall leave unscathed, and for Beauty and Ginger, this place may prove to be more than just another stop in their journey—it may be the beginning of their greatest trial yet.

ELEGANT VICTORIAN LEMONADE

Victorian-style lemonade was a popular choice among the wealthy in the 19th century. Unlike today’s simple lemonade, Victorian recipes often included hints of citrus zest, delicate sugar syrups, and sometimes a touch of floral essence like rosewater or lavender. At Earlshall Park, such an elegant beverage would have been served during afternoon teas and garden gatherings.

The tension at Earlshall reaches a breaking point. Day after day, the bearing reins tighten, forcing Black Beauty and Ginger into an unnatural posture, their pain dismissed as a necessary sacrifice for elegance. Beauty suffers in silence, but Ginger’s spirit refuses to yield. She has fought against cruelty before, but this time, the battle is different. This time, she is willing to risk everything.

One fateful day, the pressure becomes unbearable. Ginger, trembling with rage and pain, rears up in a desperate act of defiance. The stable staff rush to control her, but she will not be subdued. Beauty watches as his once-proud companion thrashes, her wild energy no match for the cold hands that force her down.

The strike for liberty is swift, but the punishment is swifter. In a world where obedience is expected and defiance is crushed, the consequences for rebellion are severe. As Ginger is dragged away, Beauty is left to grapple with the reality of their existence. Is survival worth submission, or is there something greater in the fight for freedom? Earlshall has made its rules clear, but not every horse will accept them. Some will endure. Some will break. And some, like Ginger, will risk it all for a fleeting taste of liberty.

HORSE WHISPERER GAME

This game highlights the importance of trust and communication between horses and their riders. One player (the horse) is blindfolded and must navigate a simple obstacle course using only voice commands from their partner (the rider). This game teaches teamwork, patience, and the value of clear, calm communication—just as a real horse must trust its rider.

Earlshall is a place of rules, of control, of appearances upheld at any cost. But not every rider understands the weight of these restraints—or the danger they hold.

When young Lady Anne takes the reins of Lizzie for a leisurely ride, she is unaware that beneath her hands, a storm is brewing.

The world blurs as Lizzie bolts, her hooves pounding the ground in a desperate bid for relief. The wind rushes past, Lady Anne’s cries barely reaching her ears. Fear drives her forward, but danger is closing in fast. What begins as an elegant afternoon ride spirals into chaos, a race against disaster with no clear end.

Lady Anne holds on, but how long before the inevitable happens? As Lizzie’s strength battles against the forces that seek to control her, can this runaway horse be stopped before it’s too late?

RUNAWAY HORSE TRAIL MIX

A quick and energizing snack inspired by Chapter 24 when Black Beauty races to stop Lady Anne’s runaway horse. This trail mix is packed with oats, dried fruit, and nuts—similar to what a stablehand might carry for long days of hard work. Perfect for on-the-go energy, this is something a stablehand might enjoy.

The great house of Earlshall demands precision, not just from its horses, but from those who tend to them. Among the grooms, Reuben Smith is one of the best—skilled, knowledgeable, and trusted with the finest horses.

But even the most capable hands can falter when weakness takes hold. Behind his steady work lies a dangerous flaw, one that remains hidden until the wrong moment arrives.

When Beauty is left in Reuben’s care, all seems well at first. But a mistake—small, seemingly insignificant—sets the stage for disaster. A neglected shoe, a weakened hoof, and a careless decision lead to a moment that no amount of skill can undo. As Beauty races forward, the flaw becomes fatal. The road is rough, the speed relentless, and suddenly, control is lost.

In the blink of an eye, the balance between man and horse is shattered. Reuben’s choices catch up with him in a terrible instant, leaving Beauty to face the consequences of another’s failure. As the dust settles on the road, one thing is for sure—when responsibility is ignored, the price is often paid in tragedy.

FREEDOM CARROT CAKE

Horses love carrots, and this cake pays homage to their favorite treat while symbolizing resilience and endurance. Perfect for sharing with family or as a themed treat for Black Beauty discussions, this simple carrot cake is moist, naturally sweet, and lightly spiced—just like something a hardworking stablehand or gentle horse owner might bake.

The road was unforgiving, and the mistake was fatal. Reuben Smith, once a trusted groom, had walked a fine line between skill and self-destruction for too long. His weakness—one that had cost him before—had returned. He had slipped back into drink, and with it, his careful judgment had slipped away as well.

That night, his carelessness became his downfall. The accident was swift, brutal, and final. Reuben was gone, and Black Beauty was left to suffer for a mistake that was never his.

As word spreads, grief settles over those who truly knew Reuben. His wife, Susan, mourns him, left to bear the weight of his loss. She had seen his struggles, hoped for better, and now, all that remains is sorrow. But grief does not change the course of events, and while Reuben’s story ends on that dark road, Beauty’s uncertain path is only beginning.

MAKE YOUR OWN RIDING CROP

This craft is an opportunity to reflect on the responsibility that comes with handling horses. While riding crops were traditionally used as aids for guiding horses, they could also be misused as instruments of cruelty. We’re going to create a decorative riding crop while discussing the ethics of horse riding, emphasizing trust, communication, and humane treatment over force.

The master of Earlshall does not waste time on sentiment. Beauty, once a prized and polished carriage horse, is now damaged goods. His sleek coat is marred, his legs unsteady, and he is no longer fit for this place. There is no second chance, no time to heal. The verdict is swift—he will be sold. Turned out into a field to await his fate, Beauty finds he is not alone. Ginger stands nearby, her once-fiery spirit dimmed by years of hardship.

She, too, has been deemed unworthy of the grand estate and cast aside like a worn-out possession. The two horses stand together, sharing an unspoken understanding. They have both known finer days, but now, the world sees them as nothing more than tools that have outlived their usefulness.

Beauty is paraded before unfamiliar faces, no longer admired for his strength or grace, but judged for what little value remains. Ginger, too, will be sold, her future as uncertain as his. As the hammer falls, their paths begin to split, and with every step away from Earlshall, it’s clear that life is no longer moving upward. They are going downhill.

VICTORIAN FOR SALE POSTERS

In Chapter 27, Black Beauty and Ginger face yet another harsh reality—being sold. No longer valued for their strength and beauty, their fates are decided by the highest bidder. In the 19th century, horses were regularly listed in newspapers and on public posters, described as—strong, hardworking, obedient, or needing repair. Let’s design our own Victorian-style “For Sale” posters.

In the unforgiving streets of London, Black Beauty’s life takes a harsh turn as he becomes a job horse—hired out to anyone with a fare, regardless of skill or care.

Pushed to exhaustion by reckless drivers who value speed over well-being, he faces relentless strain and cruel indifference.

The once-gentle treatment he knew is now a distant memory, replaced by rough hands and harsher words.

As his days blur into an endless cycle of labor, Black Beauty must endure the thoughtless demands of men who see him only as a machine. He is driven to the edge, forced to pull heavy loads through crowded streets with little rest. The constant pressure of tight reins and the sting of the whip become his daily reality, testing his endurance like never before.

But even in the darkest of circumstances, fate is unpredictable. Will Black Beauty’s suffering go unnoticed forever, or is there still hope for kindness in a world that seems to have forgotten him?

STREET VENDOR ROASTED CHESTNUTS

The streets of London are bustling with cab drivers, pedestrians, and street vendors, all trying to make a living. Among them, one of the most iconic sights—and smells—of the era would have been the roasted chestnut vendors, their carts filling the chilly air with the rich, nutty aroma of warm chestnuts. These simple treats were sold in paper cones, offering a bit of warmth and comfort.

Black Beauty’s burdens do not end with exhaustion—now, he must endure the careless hands of ignorant men. The rough voices of his new drivers, two cockney cabmen, echo through the crowded London streets, filled with impatience and indifference.

To them, a horse is nothing more than a tool for profit, and their lack of skill and harsh treatment make every journey a struggle.

Jerked by unsteady hands and driven with little understanding, Black Beauty is forced to navigate through the chaos of city life under the worst conditions. The endless stops, the jolting starts, and the reckless pace wear on his body, yet his suffering goes unnoticed. The drivers laugh and boast, blind to the strain they inflict, unaware—or uncaring—of the damage they cause.

But for a horse who has known kindness, the contrast is unbearable. As Black Beauty endures their crude ways, how much longer can he last under hands that refuse to listen?

LEARNING COCKNEY SLANG

Cockneys were working-class Londoners, primarily from the East End, known for their strong accents and unique way of speaking. Cockney dialect and rhyming slang add depth to the characters in Black Beauty, especially the rough cab drivers. By exploring their dialect, we get a glimpse into the world of London’s working class—its humor, struggles, and unique way of communicating. 

Black Beauty has endured reckless drivers and relentless labor, but now, he faces an even greater threat—deception. His master trusts a man to care for him, but behind closed doors, that trust is betrayed. With greed in his heart, the man steals Beauty’s oats, leaving him hungry and weak while pocketing the profits.

Day after day, Beauty’s strength fades as he works without proper nourishment. His ribs begin to show, his energy wanes, but no one seems to notice—until the signs of neglect can no longer be ignored. When the truth is finally exposed, justice hangs in the balance. Will the thief be held accountable, or will Beauty be the one to suffer the lasting consequences?

In a world where horses are too often overlooked, Black Beauty’s fate once again depends on the choices of men. 

‘STOLEN OATS’ GRANOLA BARS

Inspired by Chapter 30, these “Stolen Oats” Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack packed with oats, grains, and dried fruit—ingredients that hardworking horses (and people) need to stay strong. Unlike the thief in Black Beauty, we’ll be putting these oats to good use, making a wholesome treat that celebrates the importance of proper care and nourishment.

Black Beauty has seen dishonesty before, but never quite like this. Alfred Smirk, the new hired groom, talks a good game—boasting of his experience and skill—but beneath his smooth words lies nothing but carelessness and deceit.

He is a humbug, a man who neglects his duties while pretending to be a fine caretaker, and Beauty is the one who suffers for it.

Smirk is lazy and irresponsible, leaving the stable untidy, the water buckets empty, and the horses ill-kept. When questioned, he covers his failures with charm and excuses, deceiving his employer just long enough to avoid consequences.

But in the world of horses, neglect cannot stay hidden for long. Beauty’s owner notices the neglect and searches for answers.

As Beauty endures the effects of this false care, one thing becomes clear—sooner or later, a humbug will always be found out. But will it happen before real damage is done?

‘TRUTH OR HUMBUG’ GAME

“Truth or Humbug” is a fun and educational game where players test their knowledge of horse care. Some statements will be true, while others—just like Alfred Smirk’s claims—are complete nonsense. The challenge is to sort fact from fiction, just as good horse owners must separate skilled caretakers from humbugs.