Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:
Son
of the Black Stallion: When the Black Became a Father
By the time Walter Farley published Son of the Black Stallion in
1947, young readers were already captivated by Alec Ramsay and the magnificent
Black Stallion. Rather than simply sending Alec and the Black off on another
adventure, Farley took the story in a new direction. What would happen if the
Black had a son?
The answer was Satan.
Published by Random House and illustrated by
Milton Menasco, Son of the
Black Stallion is the third book in the Black Stallion series and
introduces one of Farley's most memorable horses. Menasco's illustrations,
familiar to readers of the earlier books, perfectly capture the power, grace,
and wild spirit that run throughout the story.
The book begins with what seems like a dream
come true for Alec. He is given the Black's firstborn son, a shiny black colt
with all the beauty and athletic promise of his famous sire. But Alec quickly
discovers that Satan is no easy horse. Proud, stubborn, and fiercely
independent, the young colt seems determined to challenge anyone who comes near
him. While the Black had eventually formed a deep bond with Alec, Satan makes
every step of that journey a struggle.
What makes this novel stand out is that it is
not really about racing. Instead, it is about patience, trust, and the long
process of earning a horse's confidence. Anyone who has worked with horses
knows that some are willing partners from the beginning, while others demand
time, understanding, and more than a little determination. Satan falls firmly
into the second category.
The backstory behind the book is interesting as
well. Walter Farley had struck gold with The
Black Stallion in 1941. Young readers couldn't get enough of the
Arabian stallion's adventures, and the books quickly developed a dedicated
following. By introducing Satan, Farley expanded the Black Stallion universe
and ensured the series could continue beyond the original horse and rider. It
was a clever move that allowed him to tell new stories while keeping readers
connected to the horse they already loved.
Looking back today, Son of the Black Stallion remains one of the
strongest entries in the series. Satan is not merely a copy of the Black. He
has his own personality, his own challenges, and his own story to tell. That is
part of what makes the book so enjoyable. Readers are reminded that even the offspring
of a legend must find their own path.
For horse lovers, this novel offers everything that made Walter Farley famous: spirited horses, high adventure, and a deep respect for the bond between horse and rider. Nearly eighty years after its publication, Satan's story still has the power to pull readers into the stall, onto the training grounds, and into the heart of one of children's literature's most beloved horse series.
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| "Son of the Black Stallion" by Walter Farley, Illustrated by Milton Menasco |
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