the black beauty curse?

The Black Beauty Curse?

First up before anyone gets horrified I want to acknowledge what an incredible catalyst the story of Black Beauty was for drawing attention to the welfare issues of horses.  The story written by Anna Sewell in 1877 is credited with inspiring legislation around the world advocating the protection of animals against abusive practices.  The book is considered to be one of the most influential anti-cruelty novels of all time.  The power of its influence is considered to be the way it is written - as a first person autobiographical memoir narrated by the main character of the book - a horse called Black Beauty.  Therefore, the story is told though the horse’s thoughts and perspectives as if the horse was human. This is what is known as anthropomorphism and this has been a blessing and, in my opinion, a curse for the horse.

Let me explain.  Hearing a horse describe the cruelty it was enduring though the words of humans brought attention to the suffering of horses at a time when they were the main means of transport, haulage and agricultural mechanisation.  A time when there were many factors competing with the welfare and consideration of horses such as financial stress, time constraints, societal expectations, fashions, health issues, poverty etc.  Hearing a story of suffering from the “words” of a horse changed the way many people saw horses and what was happening to them.

So, what is the curse?

The curse is people forming beliefs that horses think and perceive things like us….which they don’t.  Black Beauty’s mother instructed him to be a good horse that got on with people.  He went out into the world and could identify which humans were kind, sympathetic and not physically cruel.  With this belief it is not surprising people think horses are just being “naughty”, “difficult”, “bad” or worse when they are not being compliant.

Also, is it these beliefs that are the root cause for the rejection and fear felt by people when their horse turns away from them and refuses to be caught, or fail to be soothed when they become emotionally stressed and worried?  How could a horse act this way when the person loves them, cares for them deeply and is not being “cruel” but kind! I never forget a lady telling me that she had no idea why her horse was being so difficult to get on with because she had just that morning given her a beautiful bath and washed her mane in very expensive shampoo! (Yes, I am deadly serious!)

Black Beauty never described how confusing people could be and how there were more ways to make a horse suffer than physical beatings.  Black Beauty knew a kind person when he met one and was loyal and compliant to that person as a result.   But horse’s don’t think like that. These are human values and concepts.  Horse’s are compliant when they understand and are confident in what they are doing and with the person they are working with.  A relationship with a horse needs more than a persons intention to be kind, they needs skills and a deep understanding a horses and how they really perceive and understand the world - and that is nothing like what is portrayed in Black Beauty.

So, my question is - whilst the story of Black Beauty is one to enjoy and a story that progressed animal welfare - has it inadvertently also created a problem with the false beliefs that interfere with how we perceive horse behaviour and how they should relate to us?  

Has Black Beauty been both a blessing and a curse to the horse?

Mind you, here I am singling out Beauty!  Maybe I should also list every beloved horse character from the Black Stallion, Flicka, War Horse, National Velvet, Gypsy, Mr Ed, Silver….the list is long.  Beauty is not alone in misrepresenting the mind of the horse!