Greetings, fellow equine enthusiasts!
Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey draught mare. From my home in Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen, I’m bringing you the latest news from the wonderful world of horses in the year of our Lord, 758. This, my dearest readers, is post number 758 of my personal blog for www.equiworld.org – a platform dedicated to chronicling our majestic breed's story across the ages.
Now, 758 was a busy year indeed! It seems that our equine kind is playing an increasingly crucial role in society. You might even say we are the backbone of this land! We transport goods across continents, pull ploughs through fields, carry people to new lands, and even play an active role in warfare. As a young draught mare, I was already working hard myself! You wouldn’t believe how many sacks of grain and barley I've lugged from the port of Aberdeen this year, ensuring sustenance for many a hungry family! I’m quite proud to play my part, you see.
Horses and Humanity: A Partnership Blossoms
My beloved human companion, Robert, is a kind farmer with a keen understanding of horses. He tells me that horses and people are experiencing an unprecedented golden age. We are more interconnected than ever before, not just working alongside one another, but understanding one another too. He claims that some brilliant scholars, including a man called Venerable Bede, even write about our importance! This man seems to believe that we horses are "a blessing from God". Fancy that!
The Thrill of Travel: From Farms to Battlefields
The journey of a draught horse in 758 often involves more than just hauling grain and produce. I’ve encountered travellers, soldiers, and even learned about far-off lands like Francia and Spain. One of my closest stablemates, a magnificent chestnut stallion called Blaze, left for the south last spring, carrying goods across the Pennines to the vibrant market town of York. He even managed to spend a few weeks in the great city of London before returning to the north. The stories he told! Of grand houses, bustling markets, and the deafening sound of blacksmiths hammering steel. He even brought me back a beautiful braided horsehair band - a small token of his travels, but so very much appreciated!
The tales Blaze brought back sparked my own sense of adventure. My kind, gentle soul yearns to explore new sights, but for now, my duty is here in Hayfield. The local farm needs a sturdy draught horse, and who better than your ever-so-willing Emma? I am strong and sturdy, and my kind disposition makes me a favourite with everyone. Perhaps in another life, I could have been a magnificent warhorse, galloping through battlefields, my hooves churning the earth, a powerful figure charging towards the enemy.
Oh, the stories that these warhorses must tell! The bravery of those fearless knights who ride astride them, the echoes of the trumpets and clash of swords...but, those stories belong in a different chapter of equine history. My purpose is much gentler and humbler. And in truth, I feel the most content working in the service of good people, carrying my heavy loads with pride, and bringing smiles to their faces.
More Than a Beast of Burden
However, a draught horse like myself can do more than just transport and labour! Even while I'm pulling the cart laden with freshly-harvested crops, I take time to observe the world around me, savouring the sweet smells of hayfields and the fresh morning dew on the grass. I love watching the farm hands bustling about, the cheerful song of a lark echoing through the air, and the quiet rustling of leaves in the wind. It's moments like these that remind me why life, despite its hard work, is so beautiful.
In these quiet moments, I contemplate our unique bond with humanity. Horses are often described as "beasts of burden", but are we not also a source of companionship? Do not people often seek comfort and friendship in our calm gaze and soft noses? It's a fascinating phenomenon - we are essential to their work and livelihood, but also deeply cherished.
The Joy of Competition: A Show of Strength
Last week, there was quite the spectacle in Aberdeen! The local festival hosted a horse race. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as these powerful, agile thoroughbreds showcased their speed and strength. The thrill of the race, the adrenaline, and the deafening cheers… It was captivating, a reminder that horses, in their various breeds and purposes, have a powerful and vibrant presence in our world. I could imagine myself amongst the competitors - a force to be reckoned with, charging forward in a cloud of dust!
Although I'm no racing champion, I do enjoy my occasional bursts of energy. Robert often lets me run freely through the Hayfield meadow after a long day's work. There is something undeniably exhilarating about feeling the wind in my mane, the muscles in my legs pulsing, and the sense of absolute freedom under a vast, clear sky.
The Unending Journey: History Unfolds
From working hard on the farm, sharing stories with fellow horses, to participating in the odd spectacle, 758 has been an incredible year. There are stories of strength, camaraderie, and a bond forged between man and horse. As the last rays of the setting sun paint the Hayfield sky in shades of orange and purple, I find myself reflecting upon this journey. We horses, much like our human counterparts, have our unique story to tell, one filled with both challenges and rewards, a story that is as diverse and captivating as the landscape we inhabit.
The Future is Bright: An Equine Optimism
What will 759 bring? I eagerly await a future filled with new discoveries, more stories to tell, and a continued connection between humans and horses, building on the foundations laid before us. There is a certain energy in the air – a sense of possibility, of an enduring partnership that spans time and distance.
And so, dear reader, as I lay my head down for a restful sleep, the moon shimmering upon my grey coat, I bid you farewell. May your world be filled with the gentle rustle of hay, the warm companionship of other horses, and the unending magic of being an equine.
Until next time, Emma.
