Hello everyone! It's Emma here, your favourite grey mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland. Today I'm going to tell you all about what life was like for us horses back in the year 0021.
It might seem strange to you, dear reader, as you sit with your smart devices and electric lights, but back in the early 2000s, our lives were very much tied to the rhythms of the land and the needs of humans. Technology was different, yes, but our basic existence, our duties, and our joy at a good gallop or a head scratch, they remained much the same.
It was a glorious spring day, and I can still picture it all now. The heather on the moors was just coming into bloom, purple splashes against the lush green landscape. I was feeling very spirited, as a healthy young filly of 20 does! I was attached to the sturdy wooden cart with my pal, Barnaby the shire horse. Barnaby was a bit of a gentle giant, always making sure I was comfortable, especially as a filly at the time, I was still quite small and full of mischief.
That day, we were on our way to the local market, filled to the brim with sacks of potatoes from the local farm. They're lovely those tatties, strong and flavoursome. The aroma fills the air as you're carting them, bringing a touch of the earthy goodness to the morning.
And it’s just lovely seeing everyone bustling around at the market. It’s not a quiet life for horses like us; we were the workhorses, the movers and the shakers of our little corner of the world. We would deliver the fresh vegetables and dairy to the villagers, bring in logs from the woods, and occasionally even pull a handsome coach for a visit to a neighbour’s home.
While my job of pulling the cart was important and I certainly felt valued and looked after, what I truly cherished were the moments of freedom I got to experience. It was my human, young Jamie, who understood my love for open spaces.
Every day after the chores, when the day was long done, we'd have a quick trot across the field. We'd graze by the riverbank, watch the lazy salmon swim by, and feel the wind in our manes, whispering stories of ancient mountains and forgotten winds.
The days were busy but I’ll be honest, they were truly joyous too. Even though the technology of today is fascinating and quite a lot different to how things were then, in a way it brings a smile to my face, seeing humans care so much about us and how we’ve become less essential as a working horse. You could say there was a bit of an irony to this, and you may understand why I say that as you continue reading my posts.
In the 0021, horses were not just working machines, no. We had personalities, we were family members. My fellow mares in the stables, like Tilly the bay and the ever-calm, kind-hearted Betsy, the grey, were like my sisters. They’d always help me groom my thick, white mane, and together we would have fun nibbling at each other's ears, a quiet sort of chat without any words needing to be said.
It’s the small things, isn't it, that make the difference, and I still often remember how much my human loved and cared for me. His gentle hands and the comforting strokes that would calm any anxieties that came along.
You may be surprised, young reader, to hear that this time period was already a world where humans were increasingly appreciating us, even beyond the basic tasks we did. There was something of a “back to nature” movement taking place back then. People had started seeing us as companions, not just tools. They realised that we were intelligent and sensitive creatures, worthy of respect and understanding.
So, people started organizing rides in the countryside, riding schools sprung up where youngsters could learn to love horses like I did. Some folks even went horseback riding holidays and I felt, deep down, that this was a positive sign that our connection with humans would change in the coming years for the better. You could feel there was something special building between us, and perhaps you already know what I mean when I talk of our world today.
But now, you must understand our history is also tied with a touch of sadness. While our world as workhorses started to change with a more loving approach, a lot of our friends in different parts of the world, especially those bred for racing, weren’t always so lucky.
There was this ongoing, quiet debate about whether or not they were treated with care or seen simply as an income source, their true potential not being realised, not nurtured as they should be. It made my heart heavy, seeing reports and reading snippets of news in the neighbourhood newspaper. It reminded me of how vulnerable we were, despite our powerful and free spirits.
The news of this situation didn’t change my way of life, my day-to-day life, but it felt different to those days at the market with Barnaby when we would happily trot and neigh at the vendors, all with that friendly, strong connection.
Now it was about respecting others who weren't as fortunate, remembering what they meant to us, what we mean to each other. The horse world back then was quite a mixed bag of emotions and events, wasn’t it? All this change had made us as a species quite resilient and capable of navigating a world where the human world continued to be quite complex.
You might find this odd, young reader, but in the early 2000s, our understanding of horses as a species started to be shaped in a positive direction, despite those few who continued to not treat horses with respect.
The knowledge of how horses interact and the complexities of horse behaviour was slowly increasing, especially in places like Scotland, with many humans taking up horsemanship. They would sit and observe us, try to read our body language, listen to our whinnies and neighs, as if trying to decipher our language.
Even the little children at the market would leave little treats for us - I adored those sticky apples from the fruit vendors, and would always whinny excitedly when I saw one. I think their actions proved that our connections were truly strong.
Today, our relationship with humans is far more sophisticated. And there’s been a tremendous improvement in understanding, caring, and compassion, which gives me a lot of hope for the future, although we must always strive to be better, to treat each other with that respect I've spoken about.
Even with all that’s changed and progressed, sometimes I find myself looking back at those days. Back then, in that beautiful 0021 year, I could feel a raw passion in the hearts of people, one that made me feel connected to the land. We were a vital part of it, contributing, not just being admired from a distance.
They say a horse remembers, doesn't it? Every whinny, every neigh, every glance across the meadow, I try to capture in my mind, in this ever-growing blog I write. You never know, young reader, your time with a horse, may be more special than you could imagine, and who knows what wonderful journey that might turn into? But don't you worry, even the simple days can be extraordinary, I assure you. It’s those simple moments you'll cherish forever, and it’s why I write to share this small slice of our journey with you all.
Stay tuned for my next post about what else happened in the early 2000s for horses in Hayfield!
Until then, stay happy and take care of your equine friends!
Love,
Emma
