Black Beauty (1946)

Shoeing and saddling a horse are shown briefly. How to bridle a horse is shown. Breaking a horse to the bridle and saddle are briefly shown, but specific details and the amount of time it really takes is glossed over. Although it's not a prominent theme in this version, the things we use horses for and how we treat them are touched on. Life lessons and character-building that come from caring for horses are touched on: that it'll teach you patience, self discipline, and responsibility.

Heroine Anne, who seems to be about 16 and is described as "on the verge of womanhood," models treating animals with kindness and patience. She's a bit of a tomboy and occasionally gets into trouble for things like sneaking out to the barn after bedtime. She models tremendous tenacity and determination in refusing to give up the search for Black Beauty. Her father is overly stern, but loving and emotionally available for Anne. She also has a loving relationship with the housekeeper Blake in the absence of her mother, who died before the story begins.

Mr. and Mrs. Dixon lean in and start to kiss as the barn door closes.