Blog post number 41
Posted by Emma, Grey Draught Mare
www.equiworld.org
Hello everyone, it’s Emma here! A bit of a blustery day in Hayfield, the kind of day that makes you want to burrow deep into your straw bedding and let the wind whip outside. But the sun's shining, so I’ve pulled myself out to catch some rays and pen a little blog entry for you all.
As always, I like to start these posts by mentioning how grateful I am for my life here in the foothills of the Cairngorms. A simple, yet satisfying life, filled with the rhythm of the seasons, the smell of freshly turned soil, and the constant, calming companionship of my fellow horses. We're all sturdy breeds here in Hayfield, good workers, ready for a hard day's labor - and that's how we find ourselves in the year 0041, a time of both change and stability for the horse world.
You see, back in the days when I was a foal, we didn’t have it easy. We were used for almost everything, carrying people, pulling carts, working in the fields, and even for battles! Back then, the only transport options were by foot, by water, or on a horse’s back. And when it came to a real heavy haul, there was no substitute for the strength of a good draft horse like me!
These days, it's a little different, thankfully. There are those "chariots," you see, and now people are starting to learn about wheels! This clever new technology means we don’t have to drag carts all the time. Imagine how much easier that makes our lives! However, don’t let anyone tell you that chariots make us obsolete. There's still so much need for horses in the world. I've seen it myself with my own eyes!
Take farming, for instance. Even though they use new metal tools called ploughs, a good, strong horse can still turn the soil faster and more efficiently than any human, even with their "chariots"! Imagine trying to guide a plough across a rocky field. No thanks, it's much better to have a steady hand on the reins, and a strong back pushing the load.
Speaking of fields, you wouldn't believe the abundance of food we're enjoying in Hayfield this year! This spring, we’ve had such a lush growth of fresh, green grass that I find myself constantly grazing, filling my belly with sweet energy. The farmers have also started to experiment with these new seeds called “clover,” it grows fast, and we find ourselves eating it almost as readily as the grass. These farmers are a bright lot, always innovating!
I do wonder if there’s more change on the horizon. My friend Agnes, she's a clever young mare with a passion for reading scrolls and sharing stories about life beyond Hayfield, says that in other parts of the world they've found a way to train us to carry their mail. Isn’t that fascinating? She says they are training us to pull "horseposts" across fields and down dusty lanes. Agnes even dreams of being part of this horsepost delivery service, bringing news and important documents all over the land!
While Agnes might be fascinated by the idea of bringing letters and news from one place to another, I must admit that I'm content with the simplicity of our life here in Hayfield. The familiar sights and smells of my home, the sound of my human's voice calling me for dinner, and the warm sun on my back as I graze, all give me a sense of comfort and security that no mail route or chariot ride can ever provide.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I'm against learning! My human often talks about how they use special "stirrups" now that they have a new style of saddle for the chariots. I think I'd like to try using one, just once, even though we only use a simple wooden saddle here. Maybe one day, I might even try sitting on a chariot. It wouldn’t hurt, to keep my mind open and learn about the changes that the future might bring!
It’s quite incredible how much change we've seen in our lifetime, isn’t it? Despite the challenges and innovations of this year, it seems that we’ve settled into a new rhythm in Hayfield. The new technologies seem to be adding more to our lives than they take away. There’s always going to be a place for strong and loyal horses like myself. But perhaps more importantly, we’re learning how to adapt, change, and embrace new possibilities.
After all, that's what makes life exciting, isn't it?
I hope you’ve all had a good week and that you're feeling inspired! Let me know what you think in the comments below, and please do share your thoughts about horses in your world. And if you happen to be in Hayfield sometime, don't hesitate to come say hello!
Until next time!
Emma, Grey Draught Mare
Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland
www.equiworld.org
