Neigh-igh everyone!
Emma here, your favourite grey draught mare with the snowy mane and tail, writing to you all from the rolling hills of Hayfield, near the bustling town of Aberdeen in Scotland. It's been a while since I've graced Equiworld with my ramblings, but trust me, there's been a lot going on! As we embark on the exciting journey of 0269, I thought I'd share some of the fascinating happenings in the world of horses.
This year feels particularly special. We're living through an age of great change, both for us equines and the humans who share our world. Just yesterday, I witnessed a magnificent carriage procession making its way through Hayfield. It wasn't just any carriage, mind you. This one had wheels made of gleaming bronze, something I’d only heard tales of! The driver, a man with a long grey beard and piercing blue eyes, was proudly adorned with a heavy coat woven from some exotic purple fabric. He was accompanied by a woman with hair the colour of autumn leaves and eyes the same shade of blue as the summer sky. She seemed to be holding a small leather pouch, possibly filled with sweet, tasty oats. As they went by, they exchanged smiles and friendly nods with the people on the street. It felt like a real moment of grandeur, a glimpse into the grand world outside our small Hayfield community.
Oh, but where were my manners! You all are eagerly waiting to hear about our world of horses. So, without further ado, let me tell you about all the wonderful things that have been buzzing around Hayfield in the first few months of this year!
Life at the Hayfield Farmstead
It's been a wonderful start to the year for our little community of horses. The winters here can be long and harsh, with frost on the ground and a biting wind that would make even the sturdiest horse shiver. But the warmth of spring has finally returned, and the meadows are a blaze of colours, with wild flowers swaying in the breeze. The air is sweet with the smell of new grass, and it’s a pleasure to graze peacefully in the meadows, enjoying the warmth on my thick coat.
The farmers, God bless their souls, have been busy as beavers! I'm told the fields are bursting with grains and vegetables this year. They seem to be quite optimistic, anticipating a bountiful harvest. The humans in Hayfield depend heavily on the land for their survival. We horses, on the other hand, are quite fortunate! As long as there's grass, we’re happy. Of course, it's always a treat to get a warm handful of oats from the kind farmer's wife.
Speaking of oats, I've been making quite a name for myself in Hayfield! Apparently, I'm the strongest draught mare in the village. This earned me the honour of being selected to help the blacksmith haul huge logs from the nearby forest. I'm quite proud to have contributed to building the new stables for the young foals. Seeing the new babies happily frolicking and playing inside makes my heart swell with joy.
But it isn’t all work and no play for a hard-working mare like me. My favourite part of the day is when I gather with the other mares and foals by the pond in the late afternoon. We chat about all sorts of things - the juicy gossip from the village, our dreams of exploring distant lands, and our deepest fears (which usually involve rogue, wild horses that might be hiding in the woods, but, shhh, don't tell anyone!). It's our special time to connect and enjoy the peace of the setting sun. We laugh, we tell stories, and occasionally even take a dip in the cool pond water, especially on scorching summer days.
Horses in the Wider World: The Word on the Hoof
Oh, there are such grand happenings around the world! We get news from travellers who make their way through Hayfield. Our local gossip has been buzzing with excitement over a grand chariot race that took place in the bustling Roman city of Pompeii. It was said to be a spectacle to behold! I was particularly fascinated by the story of a brave mare, named Augusta, who had won the entire competition. They say she was sleek as a panther and swift as a falcon. The cheers and shouts must have been deafening, even through my strong, draught-mare ears! Imagine racing across the sands with your heart pounding in your chest, adrenaline surging through your veins! The courage, the skill, and the power these chariot racers have… It truly inspires me to run, jump, and gallop as fast as my strong legs can carry me.
Another captivating story travelled through the Hayfield grapevine - the emperor of Rome, a man named Valerian, had recently welcomed a delegation of horses from distant lands beyond the mountains! These magnificent beasts, I’ve heard, have unique, shaggy coats and a peculiar way of walking. The stories that reached our ears told of a horse known as a “Yakut” who was as strong as an ox and could carry heavy burdens through even the harshest terrain. Can you imagine being such a strong and majestic horse, bearing a name like “Yakut”?
There have been a lot of whispers of powerful leaders riding war-horses in far-off lands. Apparently, even women can be accomplished riders! These tales of female warriors are incredibly exciting. The men of Hayfield, however, tend to focus on their own stories of how the Roman legions use horses to protect their vast territory. While this brings them much pride, the tales from the east are what ignite my imagination. It seems the world is filled with such variety, from the graceful chariot racing to the mighty war-horses to the hardy Yakuts that journey through distant lands.
I even heard that a travelling bard recently played a tune on a beautiful wooden instrument called a Lyre. Apparently, he travelled to distant cities in search of inspiration and would share his adventures through poetry and songs. One of his songs even spoke about us, horses, and our unique beauty and strength. His poetry touched upon our powerful strides, the wild mane that flies as we gallop, and the beautiful markings that each of us possesses. It made my heart swell with pride. Maybe this is why our farmers look after us so well, because they see a beauty and strength in us, as the bard describes in his poetry.
What lies ahead?
Life in Hayfield continues in its steady pace. As the summer days get longer, we spend more time exploring the meadows, searching for juicy, sweet wildflowers to nibble on. We gallop across the open fields, relishing the freedom of being a horse in the vast wilderness. Sometimes I even join the men from the village on their journeys, pulling their carts laden with fresh produce to the nearby town.
Oh, what an honour it was to witness the bustling town with its lively marketplace filled with colourful clothes, enticing scents of baked bread, and joyous cries of vendors selling their wares! It truly feels like another world, much like the stories we hear about from the travelling bards. But then again, every world, no matter how grand or how small, is made up of wonderful people and magnificent animals. It’s like what a kind old greyhound told me once, “Life is about appreciating every step, every breath, and every bit of freedom, whether you are galloping across a vast meadow or napping peacefully in your stall."
And you know what? He's right! The world of horses is ever-changing, and I look forward to experiencing it all – the majestic chariot races, the valiant war-horses, and the grand tales from faraway lands. But most importantly, I treasure the peaceful life I share with my fellow horses here in Hayfield. For it is within these rolling green hills, amongst the swaying grass and the fresh, crisp air, that my heart finds its home.
Until next time, stay strong and brave!
Emma, the Hayfield Draught Mare
