"Black Beauty" is the autobiography of an English horse, told by himself.

Black Beauty had a succession of masters; some were kind to him, others were cruel.

Black Beauty was happy with his kind masters, eager to work for them whether or not they were rich, or could afford to buy expensive trappings.

However, Black Beauty makes us understand how important kindness is, how much more readily a horse works when his master treats him gently.

Through Black Beauty's eyes the reader meets the various people who owned him.

For instance, Jerry the London cabman who was kind to him, and the rich Countess who insisted upon a stylish appearance no matter how uncomfortable it made the horse.