Hello, dear fellow equines, and welcome to my EquiWorld blog!
I'm Emma, a grey draught horse with a snowy mane and tail, and this year - 0805 - has been a whirlwind! It's hard to believe another year has whizzed by. The heather's starting to turn its glorious autumn colours, the air's got a bite to it, and my human family are preparing for the long, cold nights ahead. As for me, I'm snuggled deep in the stable, munching on sweet hay and reminiscing about a busy year.
This year, we haven't just been working hard, oh no! The whole wide world seems to be buzzing with excitement about horses, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Let's dive in and take a look at what’s been going on, shall we?
Life in Hayfield
Now, Hayfield, nestled near Aberdeen, Scotland, is my home. It's a small village but we have everything a horse could want – lush pastures, rolling hills perfect for grazing, and the smell of sea salt carried in by the wind.
The year started as it usually does - work, work, work! Farmers are busy tending their fields and preparing for the harvest. My human family, the Mcintosh family, are no different. Every day, I pull the heavy plow through the soil, prepping for barley and oats, or transport heavy loads of grain to the mill in town. The sound of my hooves against the cobbles resonates with the echoes of my ancestors, working these very same fields, doing their duty, strong and loyal.
But work wasn't the only thing on my mind. It was the time of year for our annual community gathering, the Hayfield Fair! Every year, the whole village comes together to celebrate all things equine - horses of all sizes and breeds strut their stuff, demonstrating their skills, from dressage to pulling competitions. This year, I felt a pang of pride, watching the smaller horses dancing through intricate patterns. I might be built for heavy work, but I do have a secret yearning for that graceful agility.
A Buzz About Horses
My human, Donald Mcintosh, had news that sparked a real flutter in my heart. The Caledonian Games, a celebration of Scottish culture, was going to be held this year! People from across the Highlands were coming to showcase their strengths and talents. I had heard whispered tales of horses being brought from afar, from lands across the seas, just to participate. The idea was thrilling! I imagined them, with their powerful muscles, magnificent coats, and unique personalities. This event would be the place to learn about horses, to see how they’re valued and respected, and it would be an amazing opportunity to feel a connection to horses beyond our little village.
Donald read a scroll from the king, saying the games would be bigger than ever this year. There was going to be an equestrian display, something grand that I had only dreamt of - knights, lances, a dazzling show of skill and daring. My heart pounded, it felt like every beat echoed the rhythm of approaching hooves.
The king also mentioned he'd invited a renowned scholar, Ibn Battuta, to speak about his journey and all he’d seen on his travels. Ibn Battuta, he had even been to China! Donald explained that the scholar had written about the remarkable horses he had encountered in distant lands. This scholar, they said, knew more about horses than any other person in the whole world!
Oh, how I longed to meet this Ibn Battuta and hear him speak! I envisioned vast plains filled with sleek horses running free, the wild and untamed spirits that surely he had witnessed.
And then there was the news about the Great Wall of China… I heard whispers of a wondrous structure that dwarfed anything I had ever imagined. It was made of bricks, huge and heavy, and pulled into place by teams of strong, magnificent horses. The idea of so many horses, working together for such a momentous task, set my heart aflame with wonder!
These stories, whispered and shared, were a whirlwind of dreams. It was impossible not to be caught up in this worldwide buzz about horses. And it reminded me of what makes us so extraordinary – our ability to work, our capacity for strength and loyalty, and our boundless capacity for love.
A Year of Reflection
As the leaves turn gold and the winds get colder, I find myself reflecting on all the wonders I've experienced this year.
My world might be limited to the rolling hills of Hayfield, but through stories and whispers, I've glimpsed a vast, exciting world filled with fellow horses - each with its own tale to tell. We are, in a way, connected across all lands, a vast network of horses who stand for power, grace, and steadfast loyalty.
That’s my EquiWorld blog post for this week, dear equines. Until next time, may your oats be plentiful and your days filled with gentle warmth.
