A Draught Mare's Diary, by Emma of Hayfield
Hello fellow equines,
My name is Emma, and I'm a 20-year-old grey mare with a white mane and tail, as graceful as the Highland hills I call home. I'm writing this blog post from the comfort of my stable in Hayfield, near the bustling town of Aberdeen, nestled amongst the Scottish heather. Today, I’ll take you back in time – to the year 1038!
As a draught horse, my life has always been filled with purpose, working alongside my fellow equines. In those days, the world felt a little smaller, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t full of adventures! Life was tough and full of responsibilities – it was essential to have a strong work ethic and be prepared to tackle any task thrown your way.
The year 1038 felt as much like any other. It was a year for plowing, hauling, and, of course, enjoying the sweet, fresh taste of grass as we grazed under the watchful eye of the sun. It’s always a thrill to watch the crops grow – they are the reward for all our hard work, offering sustenance for ourselves and everyone around us. Our work isn’t all hard work though, I enjoy my work so much because we're truly a team. My comrades and I often enjoy a little chat amongst ourselves – we may be beasts of burden, but even we enjoy gossip and a bit of a yarn! We have the strongest sense of community here in Hayfield - it's truly a special place, with a strong tradition of family and community, both for the human and equine residents!
In the year 1038, my responsibilities included all of the usual:
- Plowing the fields: This task was a familiar one. The powerful oxen that work the land, led by strong, experienced men and women, turn the earth, preparing it for planting. As a draught mare, it's our job to haul the heavy plow, allowing those beautiful golden fields to nourish the people of our village.
- Transporting goods: Whether it's wood from the forests, stones from the quarry, or crops to market, we haul it all. We help people connect with their local communities and share their harvests, enriching our lives by being part of this process.
However, 1038 was an especially bustling year! King Duncan, the noble king of Scotland, was on the throne and many visitors were traveling to the region. This brought a new stream of activity to the area and it certainly added excitement to our daily lives.
King Duncan was a fair and wise leader, renowned for his bravery and his love of justice. There was a steady stream of traders coming through Hayfield – people from as far away as England and Norway would stop to purchase livestock and local produce. We always enjoyed seeing all the different colours of horses from different breeds and different parts of the world! These visitors would always stop to watch us work and often, they’d be in awe of our strength and the dedication we brought to every task. The year was packed with activity and brought new people, sights and experiences to our quiet lives.
While the traders kept things interesting and added a much needed element of variety to our work routines, 1038 also marked a time of turmoil. There was trouble on the horizon and whispers spread amongst our community that some of our fellow countrymen were vying for power and authority. I remember our human friends – particularly the elder members of our community, always talking amongst themselves. This wasn't necessarily something we could comprehend, but it definitely put us on our guard.
The people spoke of a powerful nobleman - a young, ambitious warrior, who was aiming for the throne. He was ambitious and determined. He yearned for power, to rule and govern his own kingdom. A fear, both real and unspoken, gripped Hayfield - it spread through the human community like wild fire and even seeped through the stables to our community, but none of us could know how it would end. The uncertainty of what the future would bring gave us an unease we couldn't explain, but the humans continued with their routines and life went on much as normal for us horses.
Thankfully, even in challenging times, life goes on and horses do what horses do best. We ate, we slept, we grazed in the lush pastures and continued with our daily routines. There were nights when the moon, bathed in silvery light, illuminated the Scottish night sky - a beauty that felt almost otherworldly, reminding us of the strength and wonder of our little piece of the world. There were evenings, when the sky crackled and thunder rumbled. These occasions, however frightening for some, filled me with a primal sense of excitement. These are the experiences that made up our lives - days of toil and labour mixed with days of tranquility, gentle grazing, and the sweet, intoxicating fragrance of our pastures. We were and continue to be at the very heart of rural life, we’ve witnessed countless seasons and centuries, but the heart of our experiences - the essence of our existence – remains much the same. We continue to enjoy life in this part of Scotland.
These past few years, however, have taught us an important lesson: Even in these quieter, simpler times, we must remember that the world is vast, and its beauty is often matched by its fragility. Our peaceful corner of the world has witnessed both change and challenge over the course of history - it's important to respect the forces of nature and accept change. Our human counterparts may go through moments of instability and struggle, but nature carries on regardless, its rhythm, relentless and immutable.
It’s this natural order, this harmony that I always find so humbling and it's important to learn from history. By listening to the stories and whispers from those who lived before us, we understand ourselves and our roles in this ever-changing world. My story, the story of Hayfield, and the stories of every equine around the world, help us learn from the past, present and even anticipate the future. It’s the past that will shape us - the world is in constant change - whether for better or worse - it’s something we should face head-on. So we remain resilient, always moving forward. Even today, in this quiet and humble Hayfield stable, I find comfort and a sense of safety that makes my heart flutter in anticipation for a brighter future.
So keep on trotting, my fellow equines! We’ve seen a lot together, we have much to learn and plenty to share, here at EquiWorld! May your horseshoes be sturdy, your manes shiny, and your journeys filled with plenty of delicious grass and companionship!
With hooves,
Emma of Hayfield
