07 Ginger

In Chapter 7 of “Black Beauty,” titled “Ginger,” the narrative delves into the backstory of Ginger, a horse with a tumultuous past, through a conversation between Ginger and Black Beauty. Ginger opens up about her early separation from her mother, her upbringing among indifferent colts, and the neglect from the man responsible for their care, contrasting it with Black Beauty’s gentler experiences. She recounts the trauma of being broken in—a process devoid of kindness and full of force, which instilled a deep-seated resistance and wariness towards humans in her. Ginger’s spirit, she says, was high, but the harsh treatment she received as a horse bred for spirit made her rebellious and distrustful, particularly against abusive handling.

Ginger specifically describes a harrowing incident involving Mr. Ryder’s son, Samson—a man lacking gentleness—who sought to subdue her spirit through dominance and physical punishment. A particularly brutal session led Ginger to resist fiercely, culminating in her throwing Samson off. Left alone, wounded, and exhausted in a meadow, Ginger yearns for relief which is only provided late in the day by the old master, Mr. Ryder himself. This encounter marks a stark contrast to the cruelty she had faced. Mr. Ryder’s gentleness, symbolized by his calming presence and caring actions, offered a glimmer of kindness in an otherwise bleak existence for Ginger.

Mr. Ryder criticizes Samson’s harsh methods, emphasizing that poor temper in a man cannot breed good temper in a horse, hinting at a deeper philosophy regarding the treatment of animals. The chapter highlights themes of empathy, the impact of early experiences, and the stark difference in animal behavior as a result of kindness versus cruelty. Through Ginger’s tale, the novel continues to explore the broader implications of human actions on animals, advocating for a compassionate approach to animal handling and care.