Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog! Emma here, a 20-year-old Grey Draught mare, writing from my humble home in Hayfield, near the bustling city of Aberdeen. The wind howls outside today, but inside, by the fire, it's nice and cosy. It’s been a while since I last wrote – the days have been so busy. So, what’s been going on with your equine world? Well, let’s start with mine…
A Busy Life: Work, Play, and The Foals
It feels like yesterday I was a young foal, prancing through the fields, my white mane and tail gleaming like spun silver. Now, I’m a veteran, a hard-working mare with a job to do. I’m strong and sturdy, a Grey Draught through and through, built to pull. It's not all hard work, of course. I have my days off, where I roam freely with my friends in the meadow, rolling in the green grass, feeling the sunshine warm my coat. I enjoy a good, rolling, deep, muddy, puddle too. A good splash in a water trough when I am thirsty. It is life at its finest. It’s lovely to spend time with the young foals – the next generation! They’re such bundles of energy, all curiosity and enthusiasm. They like to nuzzle my neck and play, sometimes chewing my mane (although that’s less amusing!) They remind me of my own wild youth. I often see a bit of myself in the foals – and sometimes even my own mother’s wild, stubborn, streak, too! They have so much to learn, and I enjoy watching them grow and develop.
Horses In History
In the human world, things are rather quiet. But here in Scotland, we are surrounded by hills and valleys. We work in the fields and transport people and goods. Sometimes I have the honour of pulling the Bishop's carriage to the church. In this era, horses are vital, as essential as the wind and rain. They’re our lifeline, our means of transport, our partners in work. We are their source of power and their mode of transport and life itself would be drastically different without us. This is certainly the case in Hayfield.
The World of Horses Today
As the years go by, there’s always something new to discover. We hear tales of riders travelling on a newly made road – a long stretch called "The King’s Road". People say it goes through the country from the south all the way to York, in England. How exciting to think that you could travel so far in a day! Though a long ride can be tiring. Another piece of news, the king himself has ordered for an impressive, large enclosure for training of the military horses. I am not sure why - but the news has spread amongst the horses in Hayfield and it has certainly added an extra energy to our step! We all have been wondering if we too would get to be involved in the fighting – a strange and scary thing to imagine, although there are benefits. Our owner tells us there would be food, shelter, and constant attention - this makes our ears perk up and makes us neigh and snort. We would, after all, be fulfilling a noble and honourable duty.
A Day in the Life
For now, I am focused on the work at hand. A typical day for me is a mix of routine and the unexpected. The sun rising paints the world in beautiful hues. After a breakfast of oats and a bit of hay, the work begins. I help the farmer plough the land for crops, a sturdy partner pulling the wooden cart. As the day warms, we move on to collecting the crops or taking timber for firewood from the nearby forest. In the cool of the afternoon, I'll return to the stables, dusty and tired, to be greeted by the farmer, a kind and strong man who looks after us, like a member of the family. After my evening meal of hay and oats, I join my stable-mates, the other horses, and together we rest our weary bones for the coming morning. The sun sets and we watch the sky turn deep blue, knowing our work is done for the day, with the soft glow of the stars a welcome sight.
The Beauty of the Scottish Highlands
It is a beautiful place, here in Scotland, a haven for horses. I feel blessed to be a part of this land, its rolling hills, crisp air, and lush fields. As a horse, there is nowhere else I'd rather be. I will post again when I can - it seems every day is exciting in this world!
Until next time!
Emma
The Grey Draught Mare of Hayfield
