How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Still, he had his own way of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else, for I was very fond of him. (6.2)
Beauty often explains how he can tell what humans are feeling, and he's especially tuned in to the sound and tone of someone's voice. Anyone who's owned a pet can probably relate to this. It sounds just like how a dog behaves, doesn't it?
Quote #2
He always spoke in a rough, impatient voice, and if I did not move in the stall the moment he wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks with his stable broom and fork, whichever he might have in his hand. (8.6)
Here Ginger explains how the harsh tone of an early master's voice frightened her, making her distrustful of humans. This is just one of the ways that Sewell illustrates how to relate to horses, stressing that the way you talk to a horse is far more important than what you actually say.
Quote #3
Our mouths are so tender, that where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant treatment, they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and we know in an instant what is required of us. (10.2)
At Birtwick, Beauty loves riding with his mistress because she has such a light touch on the reins. This book helps us understand how reins work: They're the line of communication between horse and rider, but it's a one-way street. Some people don't seem to understand that horses have very sensitive mouths and can feel very subtle directions with reins. Beauty explains how much he appreciates the gentle, skillful way his mistress uses the reins.