Hello there, lovely equines! It's Emma here, your friendly grey draught horse from Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Well, it’s Emma again. Seems I haven't written for a while. Let's be honest, a girl's gotta eat and life’s been so hectic, I hardly have time to breathe, let alone write! But, as my old man always says, “there’s always time for a good natter,” and so, here we are. Time for my regular history update for my EquiWorld readers. This week, I thought I'd write about 1168 – the year that has forever changed my life!
I’ll start by saying it’s been quite a year, though, with so much happening, I can’t even say it’s been easy! You see, I was just a little filly of a few months old, so naturally, my memories are a little foggy around the edges. It was spring, though. I distinctly recall my very first taste of green grass and feeling my tiny hooves sinking deep into the rich Scottish soil. It was magic!
You know, back in 1168, our lives were a little simpler. You see, the great wars and battles were more than 100 years behind us. People in this corner of the world were mostly working on the land. And speaking of the land, oh how I love the soil of Hayfield! The farms stretched as far as the eye can see, dotted with cosy farmhouses and hay bales waiting to be devoured. Now, while that sounds like paradise, there was quite a lot of work to be done!
As a filly, I was still too young to really pull a plough or a wagon, but I learnt all the basics. You know, simple things like standing patiently while the stable lads brush my coat (believe me, it’s an art in itself) or helping to fetch water for the farm animals. All in all, it was a fun and educational time for a young horse like me. And let's not forget the delicious, healthy meals! The best bit of any day was definitely being treated to fresh barley – sometimes a special treat mixed with crushed oats. Barley! Oh, barley is what gives Scottish draught horses like myself that special strength, and in this day and age, every single bit helps!
We have to remember that this time, we weren't just working on the land - we also carried people around. My job in the first year of my life was more about walking alongside the farmers and carrying heavy baskets full of produce - potatoes, oats, and, yes, you guessed it! - more barley. We did that as well as the occasional small wagon full of things like milk and cheese and wood, to nearby villages. Our work was vital for getting those essential things where they needed to be. Life wasn’t always easy – sometimes I carried extra weight than I was comfortable with, but we got the job done, with a bit of a chuff chuff, of course, but a happy, and importantly, helpful one. A horse like me was more than just a workhorse. We were family!
Then came autumn. And that was the time for something very special – The Autumn Fairs! Ah, The Autumn Fairs! There is nothing quite like a Scottish autumn fair! All the horses from all around come to gather. It’s the most exciting time of year. I'll be honest - it's a bit scary sometimes as so many other horses and people crowd around, but it's an adventure! We were allowed a day off from our hard labour - to have a little fun. Now, don't think I'm just saying that, there's an important story I'll tell you later in this blog post about a fair!
Now, let me tell you something - 1168 is special for something else. This is the year the Norman kings in England decided to build a big new stone bridge near the village of Stirling. Yes, I remember the journey clearly, with lots of other horses and wagons - it was such a busy journey! We carried stone, wood and anything we could to build that beautiful, grand stone bridge over the River Forth. It wasn’t just a big, beautiful, imposing piece of architecture – it also brought loads of business and money into the village. It was truly exciting for us to play a role in a grand project like that. I, for one, felt very important, doing my bit to improve the lives of the humans around me.
So, as 1168 came to a close, there was no time for me to rest. Life as a draught horse is about working, helping and caring for each other, but it is also about having the best time while doing it all.
And speaking of having a good time, I need to tell you about that autumn fair, where we enjoyed a day off of work, in September. You know, the best bit about a day at the fair is that the people love us and treat us so well! The children even pet us – what fun that is. Then came the time for me to enter the biggest race of the fair, it was quite the thing. There was the excitement, and you’d not believe, they even gave out trophies! Yes, I am speaking about the Horseshoe Derby – one of the most thrilling things for horses, let me tell you!
So, imagine the excitement! There we were, lots of other horses just like me, eager for the fun, and the delicious barley-oats treat at the end! There was a bit of excitement, a little stress in the air and the loud chanting of the crowds, but then the race started. My big brown ears flapped and I went flying forward, the crowd shouting. I remember passing some of the other horses, who were trying to take the lead, and feeling the wind in my mane. I could feel the energy in my powerful hooves – and I just felt that surge of adrenaline. Oh! I must confess – there is nothing better! But I didn’t quite win. A stallion called Barney, who always had an advantage with his larger size, and a thicker neck and tail, got ahead!
Even though I didn’t win the race, the best bit was coming back to Hayfield, after our fun and getting a little pampered at the stables, before a warm and welcoming blanket was placed around my neck and back, and, that’s the end of my story from 1168. And what a lovely year it was for me. A truly lovely year. I must leave it at that! But, as always, thank you for listening and I will talk to you all again next week! Remember, stay happy and stay well.
Love Emma
