They become workhorses under worse conditions than they’ve ever experienced. Joey and Topthorn are content to work the farm until another band of soldiers takes them. When the German army moves out of the area, Emilie and her grandfather get to keep the two horses. An old farmer and his granddaughter, Emilie, dote on the horses as well. Though the horses no longer have the honor of serving the cavalry, their duties of pulling carts full of wounded German soldiers earn them praise and good care from the men.

Joey and Topthorn do well in battle, but the Germans capture Warren and Stewart and their mounts. They soon face their own battle, and Captain Nicholls is killed.Ī young trooper named Warren becomes Joey’s new owner. Departing the ship in France, the soldiers witness the sorrow and injuries all around them. The horses and men are shipped overseas for battle. He develops a friendship with another horse, Topthorn, who belongs to Nicholls’ friend, Captain Stewart. Though Joey still fondly remembers Albert, he grows to like his new life and master. True to his word, Nicholls treats Joey well and sketches him for Albert. Albert is too young, but Nicholls promises to take good care of Joey for him. Albert finds out and begs the captain to let him join the army. When the family begins to feel the financial impact of war, Albert’s father secretly sells Joey to an army officer named Captain Nicholls. He names and cares for Joey and protects the animal from the farmer’s drunken rages. The farmer’s 15-year-old son, Albert, is thrilled. In 1914, a colt named Joey (who narrates this tale) is sold to a drunken farmer.

War horse scholastic