Hello everyone! It's Emma here, a 20-year-old grey draught mare with a flowing white mane and tail, living in the beautiful village of Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. It's 1192, and things have been a-buzz lately! It feels like a turning point in our equine history, a bit like one of those crossroads where you could take many different paths and the future isn't so certain. I know you’ve been asking about this, so I’ll try and put it into words the best I can.
It's all a bit confusing with the new king, Richard, being away in France, fighting battles like a valiant knight, but good on him for it, we all know how much he loves his horses! Everyone around here is busy, either with the King's army or making supplies for them. So there's always lots going on and many opportunities to meet other horses. It's great, especially if you're looking for new mates!
Speaking of new mates, my stablemate Rosie, a sweet chestnut filly, got her first real job yesterday, pulling a cart full of hay for the King's soldiers who have been camped here in the last couple of months. She’s getting stronger by the day. It’s fascinating to see them grow and learn and then work alongside us. Makes me remember my first year at work, pulling the farmer's plough across those deep furrows. We’re both a sight to behold, she and I. We've both got those lovely sleek, strong bodies, and my flowing mane, well it can just blow in the wind!
She keeps telling me about this magical "horse fair" happening down south, but it’s miles away and full of different sorts of horses. The journey alone is long and she doesn't think she'll be allowed to go. She worries a lot, Rosie does, about staying here and learning from the older mares, getting good at what we do. As for me, I think it’s good she is excited about seeing something new. She's one of those horses who love a new adventure, I'm happy to keep life simple!
Rosie even talks about some strange new horse thing she's seen on the way down from the hills - some sort of thing with wheels, pulling loads - an iron thing. Honestly! "Wagons!" she shouts - that's what she called it! My dear Rosie, there's no use in all that worry and commotion, I say! Horses will always be a part of the heart of every society, don't you think?
Anyway, this year feels different. There's so much news! I have a feeling the world of horses is changing quickly. People keep mentioning these new "knight's" steeds. They are taller, sleeker than most, fast and sure-footed for battles on the ground. Some say these horses even have some "foreign" blood, who knows? You can feel the excitement in the air! Maybe they're faster? Rosie seems to think so. Who knows, perhaps soon we'll be hearing about things like "Arabian" horses! How exciting is that? It sounds like a name for a very exotic, powerful stallion, wouldn't you agree?
But we horses, well, we are more down-to-earth, you know, always focused on our work, the fields, and caring for the people. I always tell her "Horses can't run away from our responsibilities," which makes Rosie chuckle! "Why would we want to run away, anyway?" She says. It's true, what would be the point? This world is ours to shape! I’m really pleased that things like our draught horse races are still so popular! Even the King seems to enjoy them! The farmers say these races give them a chance to celebrate their hard work, so maybe those horses are helping shape society a little too, hmm?
Then there’s all this talk about "turkeys" being in the world - what are those, really? Rosie seems convinced that they’re birds from abroad. They say some come from France or Turkey itself, that's where the name came from - all thanks to a big-nosed merchant who traded them in to feed the king’s soldiers. So there! We get news like this from the returning knights! And as we always say: "Who knows what tales the wind will carry to us next?” I don’t want to worry my filly, Rosie, too much, but it is all very strange, I’ll admit. They are supposedly bigger than ordinary hens, but still like the ones I know from the farmyard. "It's hard to picture, isn't it?", she keeps muttering, but in a rather dreamy kind of way, bless her heart! She has a knack for taking things literally! I'm a bit of a stickler for things I understand. Just ask her to pull a plow and I'm sure her eyes would stop looking wide with worry. But when you try to explain new and strange things… She loves new things, doesn’t she?
I remember Rosie once telling me she wanted to learn about what the knights on the big, swift steeds were using for those pointy things they carry. We just couldn’t figure it out. They call them "spears", but what exactly is the point? I mean, why not use a strong sturdy stick to knock down your enemy, something solid! Honestly, all these pointy things... it’s very un-horse like, really! I just can’t see myself using one on someone, a spear is very unlady-like. Not to mention it's very noisy, a real shame on those metal helmets they wear, and a complete disrespect to our beautiful, noble horses. It all feels rather violent to me. I would rather use my strength, and my intelligence, to build and create, and I guess that is what we, horses, are meant to do! That's the reason Rosie, bless her, tries to teach the little foals how to "prance" the way they say the King's horses can prance, and how to “strut” too. And she keeps going on about how exciting "armor" is. That's all we can do, you see? As strong, dependable animals, we help those who need us and do our best to help the people who take such good care of us.
As I see it, here at Hayfield, our little village, is always alive. The townspeople, in spite of their busy work with the troops, have such good hearts and never forget their animal friends. My friends and I spend long sunny afternoons playing games, munching on carrots and the good oat cakes that the miller, James, always gives us! It feels great, all these changes around us, as long as everyone’s safe, warm, fed, and healthy. Life has become quite adventurous in these parts with all the war stories. I have to admit though, there have been times this last year that we felt scared when soldiers rushed through our fields, and you could sense something was brewing, a danger of sorts... but the worst thing they did was trample a few wildflower patches!
You can tell these soldiers love horses too, in fact some tell us how they got their beautiful, sleek steeds. But those were stories they told just before they left, heading to those lands they call France, after having the biggest, finest meal they ever had at Hayfield. So yes, things were indeed exciting, especially in those days leading to Easter when I heard everyone mentioning the "Great Revolt in Scotland" but no one really knew the whole story. There was so much confusion around that time. It seems they had their horses too and they tried to take the King's lands, a great tragedy! Those people called the rebels, with those men from England in tow, really did wreak havoc upon Scotland! But our farmer James never took sides and only looked after the health and safety of his animals. What really worried me, you know, is how they used our own Scottish horses for the fights.
In the end though, our beautiful land of Hayfield escaped the chaos. The people said there was something brave about all of it and said those soldiers had "fallen” in battle… what exactly that meant, no one seemed to be quite sure. Now, just like with those turkeys, I am no war historian! We try not to worry about these big political things. I think there is enough for horses to focus on. In the end, we do our jobs well, we make everyone feel safe and cared for, and our strength makes our land truly great! I mean, come on, everyone knows we have some of the strongest horses here! What matters is, here at Hayfield, everyone is safe, even Rosie!
Well, I must say, Rosie does seem a little calmer after all that running around with the other young horses, training. We have spent the rest of the year going through so much new, interesting information about our equine world! All of the amazing things happening around us, all these tales we are getting about horses doing incredible feats. Maybe even some horse magic. Now, let's get real! You must try this game one of the old stallions, Winston, has been telling us about. There is talk of some mythical horse who lived up in the mountains, he must be really strong! Rosie says it's probably not true, and it might just be the imagination of the old stallions. Maybe... but all I know is the stories are all very real to me! Just think, maybe all of this talk will have some influence on how things turn out in our world. All I know for sure is that horses are resilient, strong, and I just love living here, where life is just lovely!
Until next time, stay curious and keep your ears perked for those new sounds from the world beyond! And don't forget, Rosie has a fun new challenge coming up… a horse jumping competition at the village fair! It all feels very important! Don't miss out, you won’t want to miss a second! It all seems so different this year, so much is happening in our little corner of the world! How wonderful is that?! I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into my life and have a happy, sunny week!
