Posted by Emma, Hayfield, Scotland
Good day, fellow equines and equine enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, a sturdy grey mare with a white mane and tail, sharing my musings on horse life in the year 0893. It’s been a long time since I started my little blog on Equiworld.org - I've been keeping busy, and it feels like centuries since my last post! I think it's about time to share some of what I've been up to in the year gone by, and all the fascinating horse news I’ve learned.
Now, the year 0893 was, let me tell you, a fine year! This is my twentieth summer and I’ve learned a thing or two about the good things in life – plenty of lush grass to graze on, cool, refreshing water in the stream, and of course, plenty of time for leisurely naps in the sun with my trusty companions. This year, I have also had the wonderful opportunity to witness the work of my fellow horses – their skill and determination inspires me every day.
My life here in Hayfield is very peaceful. It’s near Aberdeen, Scotland, in a beautiful valley with rolling hills and plenty of fields for grazing. I am owned by a kind man, William, who cares deeply for me and his other horses. William works hard every day to maintain our pastures and the surrounding land – this man could move mountains, literally, with his sheer will.
The village of Hayfield has a quiet rhythm to it. People are busy working in the fields – they've already started reaping barley this year and it's the beginning of the wheat harvest as well. Everyone needs the food that is grown here. And, let's not forget about the dairy cows, who also rely on our care. As a farm horse, I know that life would be very different without my fellow farm animals, they all have their place, and they rely on each other for survival. We’re all important, just like the flowers that grace the fields – a bright splash of color that adds joy to our existence.
Just the other day, William brought me to the bustling town of Aberdeen, to help out with some local deliveries. Aberdeen is a very exciting place, a real hub of activity. I have learned so much by observing all the new and diverse faces and customs that fill the streets of Aberdeen. There is always so much going on here.
I must tell you about some very remarkable creatures I have seen here, at a horse fair in Aberdeen – I know I might have said this in previous blogs, but I cannot get over these marvelous beasts - their massive size and their extraordinary beauty are astounding. I saw the massive cart horses pulling laden wagons, their bodies full of muscle and grace. The power and control they demonstrate over their enormous size fills me with wonder! Seeing such creatures makes me feel small – sometimes it feels a bit frightening to be so tiny, but mostly it inspires me. It makes me want to strive to become just a little bit stronger.
Back to the town: it is quite a contrast to my humble life in the valley. In the city there is such a constant movement of people and horses alike. People here tend to their carts and carriages, busy going about their daily routine – fetching supplies for the bakeries, for the butcher's, transporting materials for builders and merchants - life here seems a constant, bustling symphony of movement. There’s a lively atmosphere about Aberdeen. Everyone knows everyone – even though we don't speak the same language, the humans and the horses both share the common need for collaboration. The atmosphere of goodwill feels nice, it really adds to the liveliness of the town. It reminds me that we’re all a part of something bigger, part of a great web of life, interconnected by our daily routines, our hopes and dreams.
During my travels this year, I've been learning about horses from distant lands. I’ve even seen pictures of horses from lands far across the sea - these paintings depict some curious breeds – from long, majestic steeds with shimmering coats of gold to strong, sturdy ponies, small but nimble. These distant steeds from the Far East, with their long, flowing manes, sound fascinating and are quite beautiful. I just love how different each type of horse looks and behaves! Each type has a special role to play in this wide world of ours. It reminds me how fascinating life is – and the beauty of nature! I would love to learn more about all the wonderful breeds around the world and someday I would love to meet some in person – it's hard to imagine all the interesting horse breeds across the globe, but it sounds wonderful! It sounds like adventure, wouldn't you agree?
Now, a little something I’ve been learning about this year is the role of horses in battle. They are crucial, you see – providing soldiers with mobility and speed on the battlefield. That makes me both proud and sad – proud that we, horses, are so valuable and useful to our human companions, and sad that our bravery is needed to bring peace to the world. William, the kind man who owns me, has spoken at length about the Viking raids and the threats these people pose. Apparently, these warriors, they can be very fierce and their ships arrive on our shores to raid towns and villages! William says that our local king is assembling a huge army of men to stop these marauders! They say they ride magnificent steeds as they wage war. That sounds scary! William also shared the news of the King’s army's impressive steeds – strong and powerful. I would love to see them! It would be such a thrill!
So much has been happening! There is just so much for horses to do and so much for them to learn. Horses like myself, are part of a long and varied history, helping people get around, carry goods and help with farming – a testament to the strong bond that exists between us and humanity. I'm so grateful for the gift of being a horse.
Well, I must bring this to a close now, dear reader. I'm sure you will be seeing more of me here at Equiworld.org soon enough. Until next time, take care!
Your fellow equine,
Emma
