# Merrylegs — Black Beauty character guide

> Merrylegs in Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** IX Merrylegs Mr. Blomefield, poor Merrylegs, Mr. Blomefield

**First appearance:** 0008-part-i-ix-merrylegs

## Snapshot

A plucky, good-tempered pony who teaches children to ride and knows exactly when a boy has had enough galloping for one afternoon.

## Who they are

Merrylegs is the small, cheerful favorite of Birtwick Park, carrying Miss Jessie and Flora and the vicar's children about the orchard by the hour. He is careful as a cat with nervous little riders but firmly pitches the rougher boys off backward when they will not stop, insisting he is the best riding-master those children have. His blend of patience and self-respect makes him a quiet model of how a horse should be handled.

## Relationships

### [Ginger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/ginger)

_friendship_

Ginger and Merrylegs are fellow horses at Birtwick Park, with Merrylegs being friendly and Ginger more aloof.

### [James Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/james_howard)

_professional_

James Howard grooms and cares for Merrylegs, a pony at the estate, with affection.

### [John Manly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/john_manly)

_professional_

John Manly cares for Merrylegs, the pony, as part of his duties as head coachman.

### [James Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/james_howard)

_professional_

James Howard grooms and cares for Merrylegs, a pony at the estate, with affection.

### [Ginger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/ginger)

_friendship_

Ginger and Merrylegs are fellow horses at Birtwick Park, with Merrylegs being friendly and Ginger more aloof.

### [John Manly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/john_manly)

_professional_

John Manly cares for Merrylegs, the pony, as part of his duties as head coachman.

### [James Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/james_howard)

_professional_

James Howard grooms and cares for Merrylegs, a pony at the estate, with affection.

## In the story

### [I: My Early Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-i-my-early-home)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-hunt)

Not directly present in this chapter; no mention in excerpts.

### [My Breaking In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-iii-my-breaking-in)

Not directly present in this chapter.

### [Birtwick Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-iv-birtwick-park)

A friendly gray pony who welcomes Beauty and explains Ginger's biting habit, praising the kindness of John and James.

### [A Fair Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-v-a-fair-start)

A cheerful, plucky pony who becomes great friends with Black Beauty.

### [Merrylegs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-ix-merrylegs)

Narrates his method of disciplining the Blomefield boys without harming them, showing his loyalty and sense of responsibility.

### [A Talk in the Orchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-x-a-talk-in-the-orchard)

Calms the others by reminding them of their good master and grooms, and suggests eating apples to lighten the mood.

### [John Manly’s Talk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xvii-john-manly-s-talk)

Merrylegs is initially put out by Joe's inexperience but later thinks the boy will turn out well; he pines after James leaves.

### [The Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xxi-the-parting)

Given to the vicar for Mrs. Blomefield on condition he is never sold and is humanely put down when past work.

### [Earlshall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-earlshall)

Brought into the yard to say goodbye before being taken to the vicarage.

### [The Butcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xli-the-butcher)

Mentioned as a resemblance to a little gray pony seen pulling a heavy cart, though it may not be him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/merrylegs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters