Chapter 46: Jakes and the Lady places Black Beauty in yet another challenging chapter of his working life. Now under the service of a corn dealer and baker, he finds the nature of his work heavier than before. Though the owner ensures the horses are fed and stabled properly, his frequent absences leave the horses in the care of a foreman with little regard for their welfare. This man loads the wagons beyond reasonable capacity, showing more concern for profits than the horses’ wellbeing. Black Beauty is regularly pushed to his physical limit, especially on hilly routes where heavy wagons become almost impossible to move. On top of that, a tightly drawn check-rein makes the strain even worse, preventing him from lowering his head to pull more effectively. Despite trying his hardest, he often finds himself punished for not doing the impossible. Pain becomes a constant companion, and hope begins to dim with each passing day.

During one such punishing task, Black Beauty is driven by Jakes, a man who reflects the harshness of the system more than personal cruelty. Faced with a steep road and a cart filled to the brim, Beauty struggles to advance. Instead of recognizing the limits of the horse, Jakes responds with the whip, shouting threats and curses. Each lash adds not just to Beauty’s physical suffering but to a deep emotional hurt. He does not understand why such punishment is given when he is already giving everything he has. A sense of helplessness creeps in as his legs weaken and his breath shortens under the choking weight. To Black Beauty, the uphill road feels endless, a mirror of the unforgiving life he’s been forced to endure. Then, just as all seems lost, a voice rises—calm, strong, and filled with concern.

A well-dressed lady has stopped at the scene, her face marked with genuine worry as she sees what Black Beauty is enduring. She speaks to Jakes without insult, pointing out the obvious—no creature should be expected to haul such a weight uphill with a tight rein holding his head unnaturally high. Her tone is firm but not harsh, making it clear that she’s not only knowledgeable but compassionate. She urges Jakes to loosen the check-rein, explaining how it hinders the horse’s ability to lean forward and use his full strength. Jakes hesitates at first, defensive and unsure if he should take advice from a passerby. But the lady’s reasoning and quiet authority eventually convince him. Reluctantly, he removes the check-rein, and the result is almost immediate. Black Beauty can lower his head, stretch out his neck, and shift his weight—finally able to push against the harness in the way nature intended.

With newfound strength and balance, Black Beauty begins to pull the cart again, inch by inch, gaining momentum where there had been none. The pain eases, and his breathing steadies as his muscles work in harmony. The lady walks alongside him for a moment, offering gentle words that seem to lighten the emotional burden too. In her presence, Beauty feels something that had been missing for some time—dignity. Her actions, though simple, stand in stark contrast to the cruelty he’s endured, and her willingness to intervene restores a sense of worth. For Jakes, the moment becomes a subtle lesson. The woman doesn’t shame him but helps him see there’s another way to work with horses—one that includes understanding and respect. As she departs, her words linger, nudging him toward a change in attitude that might influence his future choices.

The issue of the check-rein, also known as the bearing rein, is one Anna Sewell consistently challenges throughout Black Beauty. Historically, these devices were used to force horses to hold their heads high for appearance’s sake, despite the immense strain this position caused. Many modern animal welfare movements can trace some of their early advocacy to the public’s response to this book. By illustrating the unnecessary suffering caused by such practices, Sewell invited her readers to reconsider what was considered “normal” in animal training. In this chapter, the message comes through powerfully: small acts of compassion can challenge harmful traditions. The lady didn’t just help one horse; she planted a seed of awareness in a driver, and perhaps others watching as well.

Even today, the need for people to speak up for animals remains strong. Whether it’s a horse on a hill, a dog left in the heat, or an overworked animal in tourism, small interventions can have lasting impact. Education, empathy, and the courage to speak up are tools that remain just as relevant now as in Victorian England. Black Beauty’s experience teaches that real change often starts with one person noticing and choosing to act. Through the actions of the lady in this chapter, readers see that kindness isn’t weakness—it’s a force capable of softening even the harshest of routines.