War Horse, which is set in Wales shortly before the start of World War I, begins with the protagonist, Joey, recounting the story of his life. When Joey is “not yet six months old, a gangling, leggy colt who [has] never been farther than a few feet from [his] mother” (1), he and his mother are sold at auction to separate owners. Joey is purchased by a drunken farmer who initially set out to buy a young calf. Joey’s fighting spirit is evident from the beginning. Eventually, the owner violently harnesses Joey and drags him away to his new home, where his “one consolation as [he is] hauled into the stables that first evening is that [he is] not alone” (3). The farm where Joey is taken is also home to a kind old mare, Zoey, who quickly becomes a source of comfort and friendship.

Soon after, the owner’s wife and his 13-year-old son, Albert, visit Joey. Albert is immediately taken with Joey, calling him a “wonderful and brave horse” (4) and declaring that, when he’s older, “there won’t be a horse to touch him, not in the whole parish, not in the whole country” (5).