Black Beauty (4)

(4) Ginger

Also in our stable was a chestnut mare called Ginger.

※chestnut mare　じゃじゃ馬娘

Although she was rather bad-tempered, we grew quite friendly.

Sometimes we went out together in double harness, and then we talked to each other.

She wanted to know all about my early life and I told her.

Then she told me about her life, and it was very different from mine.

No one had ever been kind to Ginger.

After she had been broken in, she was sent to London to a fashonable gentleman, as one of matchng pair.

" There I was driven with a bearing rein,  " she said, " and I realy hate it. I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse.
But just imagine, if you tossed your head up high and had to hold it there for hours on end !
That's what happens with a bearing rein. " 

※bearing rein 馬の頭部を望みの位置に保つよう考案された手綱 

" I grew more and more iritable.
One day, just as they were straining my head up with that rein, I began to plunge and kick with all my maight.
That was the end of that place !
I was sold and went back to the country.
Alas, the groom at new place was rough, so I bit him.
I was sold again and came here not long before you did.
It's better here, of course, but for how long ? "

As it turned out, kindness was all Ginger needed.

Her bad temper slowly died and she became quite gentle and happy at Birtwick Park.

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