Hello fellow equine enthusiasts! Emma here, a 20-year-old grey draught mare, and I'm so excited to be sharing my thoughts with you all this week. Now, I may not be a dashing war horse, galloping across battlefields (much to my relief!), but my life in the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen, has been nothing short of eventful.
I'm lucky to live in this idyllic countryside where lush grass carpets the hills and the crisp air fills our nostrils with the scent of wildflowers and freedom. You see, 1150 is a rather exciting year for us horses. Things are changing! While many of my fellow horses in different parts of the world still pull the plough, their human companions are beginning to discover our strengths in new and fascinating ways. Let me tell you about some of the exciting developments…
Life on the Hayfield Farm:
As a working horse, my day usually starts with a hearty breakfast of oats and a warm stable. I love to chat with my fellow mares, Millie and Rosie, exchanging news of the latest goings-on in the stable and discussing which field we fancy for our afternoon grazing. Of course, we do our part. There's always plenty to do on the farm – hauling wagons of hay and wheat, carting water from the stream to the cattle fields, or sometimes, just offering a shoulder to lean on to a tired farmer returning from the village market. The human that tends to me, a kindly old man called Robert, has a soft spot for all of us. He always treats us with respect and, on Sundays, we're even allowed to stand a little closer to his warm hearth while he reads from a dusty old book. He calls it a “prayer.”
Horses in the Big Wide World:
Life on our small farm feels peaceful compared to what I hear my cousins in other lands endure. Some, for example, are still used as pack horses in mountainous areas, carrying goods along perilous mountain passes. I've heard tales from an old chestnut stallion named Jasper, who traveled from France to tell us about the vibrant horse markets in the southern cities, where steeds are meticulously chosen for their speed and strength for prestigious tournaments and wars.
But the most fascinating development in the horse world is the new appreciation for the 'heavy horses', like me. We're not just brawn; we are nimble and intelligent! In some places, our power and stamina are starting to be valued in industries beyond just farming. In the cities, for example, horses like myself are now pulling heavy wagons, transporting goods and even carrying passengers. Imagine - a horse pulling a carriage full of people through bustling streets!
A glimpse of the Future:
My heart does skip a beat, thinking of the new ways horses are being utilized around the world. But don't worry, I'm not itching to swap the fresh air of Hayfield for the city's bustling crowds! I'm content with my quiet life, even if the world out there seems full of excitement and change. My kind old Robert often tells us about tales of knights in shining armor riding to battle, of grand processions, and the bustling trade between distant lands. I admit, my inner horse dreams of exploring the wider world. But I suppose a contented life, surrounded by my friends, and helping my fellow human beings, is the most satisfying life after all.
However, as I gallop across the Hayfield pastures, I cannot help but wonder about the future for my kind. Will there always be room for us in the world? Will the invention of that new contraption that the villagers call the ‘water mill’ affect our importance? I believe in the wisdom of horses; our connection with humans is one of the oldest stories in the world. As I finish my dinner, I take another deep breath of the Hayfield air and contemplate my fellow horses. Our story is not one of fear but of courage, loyalty, and endurance.
The horses are strong and powerful, but also gentle, patient, and sensitive. Perhaps that’s why the world finds us useful in so many different ways.
So until next time, keep galloping through life with grace and strength, fellow equines!
Yours sincerely, Emma the Grey Draught Mare Hayfield, Scotland, 1150.
