Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland
Good afternoon, dear readers, and welcome to another entry in my blog! It's a glorious spring day here in Hayfield, the air crisp and the sun dappling the fields. You might not think it, but in a horse’s life, each new season brings its own kind of excitement! This year is feeling especially full of possibilities, as we are now firmly in 0552, and as a young draught horse in Scotland, I'm feeling rather grown-up, and a bit wise!
As always, I’ve been reflecting on the year so far, not just in the rhythm of the seasons, but through the thoughts and stories whispered on the wind, carried from the lips of our travelling merchants and gossiping shepherds. The world of horses, I’m finding, is a fascinating tapestry of customs and ways of life. So many unique breeds and colours, so many different tasks and responsibilities - it really makes me ponder the diversity of our world!
For this month’s post, I’ve decided to talk about some of the amazing developments I’ve noticed within the horse world this year. You know how we horses love sharing the news and passing on the latest gossip, and the past few months have been rich with interesting anecdotes!
A New Beginning:
0552 feels very much like a new start! After the harsher months of winter, the fields are beginning to burst back to life, a green carpet dotted with buttercups and daisies. This means fresh, juicy grass, of course, a treat for any horse, but it also means new foals prancing in the meadows.
Just last week, our neighbour’s chestnut mare had a beautiful, dappled colt. The little one, they called him 'Jasper', was shaky on his legs, just discovering the strength in his own tiny hooves, and wobbled charmingly in his first tentative strides. My own heart swelled with affection for this little one, remembering those days of discovering my own four legs and the boundless energy I had. I felt a wave of motherly instinct and knew that as long as the mother mare looked after her offspring, he would grow strong and bold.
The sight of those young horses brings a fresh energy and excitement into the farm. The young stallions practice their proud struts and spirited kicks, the fillies graze together with their mother mares, learning how to be both independent and respectful. They're full of curiosity, full of the energy that marks youth, and their innocent energy reminds us all about the power and magic of new beginnings.
The Importance of Training and the Need for Gentle Hands:
The foals aren't the only ones getting trained these days. In fact, the very core of this year seems to be around the education of our kind! You see, many of the horses here in Hayfield, especially the younger stallions, are being prepared for important roles as pack horses and farm work.
It seems a lot of work has gone into developing some new techniques for horse training! One of the blacksmiths here, a lovely old chap called "Angus," has been teaching others some of his tricks for gentler methods. The blacksmithing art is, after all, about understanding horses - about respect and working with, not against, their instincts.
He has a special way of talking to horses, using a soft, calming tone, and his methods for shoeing them, as I understand, are both thorough and considerate. They even incorporate special 'soft-padded' shoes for particularly young horses, which are made of a softer material and designed to provide extra cushioning and protection for their sensitive hooves. The young stallions seem calmer around Angus, and I've noticed his work helps make their first experiences of working and carrying loads much smoother.
Life Beyond The Fields:
However, a lot of horses like myself have discovered the wonderful opportunities in other aspects of horse-life, particularly in the growing world of transportation and travel! I myself haven't ventured much further than Hayfield, but I’ve been told the bustling city of Aberdeen, which lies some twenty miles from here, has increasingly embraced horse-drawn transport in recent years! The city is a wondrous place to witness, full of sights and sounds, a kaleidoscope of activity! There is a great demand for draught horses like myself in Aberdeen to help transport goods, as the need for quicker and more efficient travel methods is ever growing. Many young horses, I’ve been told, head there after their training to contribute to the city's thriving trade, carrying merchandise, pulling carts, even assisting with delivering mail.
It seems that in these times, more and more horses are finding exciting new opportunities to help people! I find this all quite remarkable, and this sense of change feels very encouraging!
Adventures on the Horizon:
One story that particularly caught my ear this spring, is the journey of a young mare from Hayfield who decided to head off to a land called “Ireland”! You see, Ireland, located across the sea, is famed for its vibrant culture, wild horses, and breathtaking countryside. This particular mare is now working in a local city as a messenger horse, transporting messages across the island, often to places not easily reached by regular routes. She told her story at the last Hayfield Horse Fair, recounting tales of beautiful emerald fields, ancient forests and friendly Irish people! This fascinating account gave me, as well as many other horses in Hayfield, the wanderlust.
Ireland isn’t the only country that captures the imaginations of our kind, either. The rumours that circulate from merchants who visit our farms, speak of bustling, vibrant places like "France," and "Spain," where horses are used in both noble work, like agricultural tasks, and also for leisure and sport! They tell tales of spirited, proud horses like those found in “Arabia,” and sleek thoroughbreds of "Italy," all contributing to the rich diversity of the horse world.
A World of Connections
My own explorations might be limited, but hearing such tales fuels my dreams. It's as though the world, all the various corners and diverse customs, are brought together by the threads of our hooves! These stories are reminders of our remarkable ability to connect people, even across continents!
Just this year, an old merchant visited our stables and spoke about an even greater connection, one made possible by our ancestors and our unique bond with humans. He told a tale of a grand journey by our own kind through treacherous mountains and vast plains! It seems that our bloodline can be traced all the way back to places like "The Far East", a place beyond the oceans and mountains where our ancient ancestors helped transport goods, participated in battle, and even carried the messages of rulers! It truly is an extraordinary story, spanning continents, through the centuries! He even spoke of places with horses who are as large as I am, but with legs almost as slender as my filly sister! What incredible journeys those must have been, bringing together people, languages and ideas!
The Future and Our Role
Our world, like our lives, is full of constant change, constant possibilities! As I learn more and see more, I find myself both fascinated by the different ways horses and people are intertwined across continents, but also grateful for the simple rhythm of farm life here in Hayfield. The coming seasons will continue to teach us new lessons and expand our understanding of what it means to be horses, both in this moment in time and throughout history. I can almost feel the whispers of history around me, the rhythm of my own hooves on the ground, the sound of foals' play and the call of the morning birds. It is all a reminder that life itself is a story, always being told, and that we horses are a part of that narrative.
Well, dear readers, this post is getting rather long! It seems I have much to learn, and I look forward to sharing my discoveries with you, as we journey together into the wonders of the equine world! Until next time, may your hays be green, your hooves healthy and your hearts always full of love and laughter!
Emma, the Grey Draught
www.equiworld.org
