Reuben Smith Character Analysis

Reuben Smith is the groom put in charge of Earlshall’s stables when Lord W and his family leave with York for several months. He’s on his second stint of working for Lord W. The first time, he was fired because he occasionally gets drunk and abuses his wife, animals, and anyone else in the vicinity. But because Smith has some veterinary training and is a good horseperson when he’s sober, he’s hired back just before Black Beauty and Ginger arrive at Earlshall. Smith does his job well for most of his time in charge—but when he’s tasked with taking Blantyre to the train station and then riding Black Beauty home, he gets drunk. Ignoring that Black Beauty’s shoe is loose, Smith gallops Black Beauty over rough roads and whips him, even when Black Beauty loses his shoe and his hoof begins to split. Finally, Black Beauty stumbles onto his knees and pitches Smith over his head onto the road. The accident kills Smith. Posthumously, Smith is found to be at fault in the accident.