Summary

Chapter 5 – Joey undertakes serious work to be transformed from a farm horse into a cavalry mount. Joey dislikes the military-grade saddle and bit he must wear, and dislikes his trainer, Corporal Samuel Perkins, even more because Perkins is brutal in driving the horses on to their tasks. In the evenings, Joey relishes his time with Captain Nicholls, who spends time with Joey, watches over him, and sketches portraits of Joey in preparation for a painting of him. Nicholls explains that most people don’t understand the coming war will be long and nasty, and that new weapons like machine guns will make the war especially bloody. Nicholls personally takes Joey into final maneuvers, where Joey meets the black stallion of Captain Jamie Stewart, named Topthorn. Joey and Topthorn prove themselves to be the fastest horses in the regiment, with Joey beating Topthorn during a...