Portis characterizes Little Blackie as having white socks - a trait that, in a horse, can be good or bad, depending on who you ask. In the 1969 version of the film, Little Blackie is played by a Pinto with white socks and a blaze, whereas in the 2010 version he is played by an entirely brown-black stunt pony. Stockings on a horse can lead to superstitions in some horse owners, following the rhyme:
"One white foot, buy him.
Two white feet, try him.
Three white feet, be on the sly.
Four white feet, pass him by."
So the more stockings a horse has, the worse luck he is, which is something Portis may have decided to incorporate into Little Blackie's character to show his temperament. Mattie chose Little Blackie because of his personality, because she had hope that he could be a good horse. He proved to be a perfect companion throughout her journey.
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interesting research -- instead of speculating about whether or not Portis knew about it, why not show the research and then say in characterizing Blackie in such a way, Portis emphasizes his luck -- as did the Coen Bros.
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