Hello there, dear readers! Emma here, a sturdy grey draught mare with a snowy white mane and tail, and today we're going to delve into a time almost a millennium ago - 0912 AD!
Now, 0912 AD wasn't a particularly eventful year in human history, as far as I know, but in the life of a draught horse like me, it was just another day on the farm. You see, I live a humble life in Hayfield, just outside Aberdeen in the rugged, yet beautiful, land of Scotland.
From sunrise to sunset, my life revolves around the rhythm of the farm. Each day begins with the comforting crunch of barley beneath my hooves as I am led to the barn for breakfast. Our trusty farmhand, Robbie, a gentle soul with calloused hands and a kind heart, makes sure we have plenty of oats and barley, enough to give us the energy we need to work hard all day.
Today, as I munch on my breakfast, my best friend, Angus, a proud chestnut stallion with a booming voice, shares stories of a nearby village celebrating the yearly harvest festival. Apparently, there are all sorts of games and competitions, including races for the swiftest steeds! I wonder if they would allow a hard-working farmhorse like myself to enter? I suspect not, but perhaps one day I can join in the festivities with my kind Robbie by my side.
After our meal, we are hitched to the heavy wooden carts and begin our day’s work. It's a cycle I've come to know well - pulling heavy loads of crops and wood from field to barn, navigating rocky terrain with ease, my broad shoulders carrying the weight of a hundred harvests. This work requires strength, patience, and unwavering trust in the humans who lead us, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
The smell of fresh-cut hay, the chirping of the swallows, the rhythm of my strong hooves against the earth - these are the familiar, comforting sounds that weave through the tapestry of my day.
Despite the repetitive nature of farm life, each day offers its own charm. Today, as I traverse the hills to deliver a wagon of grain to the miller's village, I am treated to breathtaking views of the distant Highlands, their majestic peaks rising high into the cloudy sky. I think I see a wild stag roaming free across the rolling hills, its antlered head catching the sun like a crown. I wonder if horses in the wild live as content and comfortable a life as us working horses. I guess there are pros and cons to every life, eh?
Back at the farm, we continue working until the sun dips below the horizon. Robbie leads us to the stables where, with a deep, comforting sigh, we shed our heavy harnesses and allow ourselves to sink into the sweet scent of straw, our weary bodies relishing the promise of rest.
As darkness falls, we horses huddle together for warmth, the rhythmic breathing of my companions a soothing melody that lulls me to sleep.
Though our work is arduous and demands strength, I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I am surrounded by kind humans who treat me with care and respect. Our bond is built on a shared understanding, a unspoken language of trust and devotion. Robbie knows exactly how much pressure to put on the reins, how much encouragement I need during tough journeys, how to calm my nerves when the wind howls and the storm rages. I would say Robbie and I are true partners.
Besides, I get to enjoy the simple pleasures of life – a tasty handful of carrots from Robbie, a friendly greeting from the children who often visit us in the stables, and a gentle pat on the neck from a passing stranger who appreciates our contribution to life. These small acts of kindness mean the world to me, and I carry them in my heart as I fall asleep every night.
But life is more than just work and simple joys. We horses are, after all, creatures of instinct and deep-seated emotions. We feel sadness at the passing of old horses, joy when new foals join our fold, and an instinctive sense of protection for those we consider our own.
My old friend, Rosie, who used to be a fearless puller in the plowing season, now sleeps soundly under the watchful eyes of the other older horses. It's heartwarming to watch the young ones gather around Rosie, nudging her gently and offering their quiet affection.
We all have a deep appreciation for each other. We have a bond, forged in shared work and shared meals, shared warmth during cold nights, shared fears during stormy days. We are family.
While my life is firmly rooted in the land I call home, I always feel drawn to stories of other horses from distant lands. Just a few weeks ago, while enjoying a rare afternoon of rest under the apple trees, I heard a traveling merchant talk about horses in a distant kingdom called 'Persia'. He spoke of beautiful, slender horses, trained for war and speed. Apparently, they can run faster than the wind itself. That is quite the impressive feat! But personally, I think a good, hard-working draught horse is the best type. The feeling of accomplishment after a hard day's work pulling a wagon loaded with grain is something a sleek, fast horse probably never feels!
The other night, Robbie shared stories about Vikings, those fearless sailors with horns on their helmets who journeyed across the vast oceans on long boats. Apparently, they use their horses for everything - from pulling the long boats onto the beach, to carrying heavy goods during battles. He says that some of those horses are trained to gallop along the battlefields, causing chaos and fear for their opponents. The Vikings themselves are a fearsome sight. But I would never go into a battlefield, not even if it meant gaining extra respect!
Through stories like these, I am exposed to a world beyond my simple farm life. And I'm always thrilled to learn about the ways different people around the world interact with and care for horses. It fills me with pride, knowing that across mountains and oceans, horses remain steadfast and helpful companions, contributing to the rhythm and purpose of life.
However, the truth is, despite my wanderlust, the simple life on my beloved farm holds its own magic. I love the rhythm of our days, the familiar smells and sights, the feeling of purpose that comes with contributing to the community that feeds us and relies on us.
As the sun rises each morning, a new day unfolds before us, bringing new tasks and new stories. I look forward to sharing them with you here on my little corner of Equiworld.org. Until next time, keep your heads high, and remember to be gentle with your own four-legged companions!
Your humble farmhand,
Emma
