Hello my fellow equines, it's Emma here, back again with another update from my neck of the woods. As many of you know, I reside in a little village called Hayfield, near Aberdeen, in the glorious Highlands of Scotland. Now, as I gallop towards the end of my twenties (don’t even get me started on how many hay bales a horse has eaten in that time!) I’ve noticed things changing a tad in the horse world. And it got me thinking about how we’ve changed and what we’ve accomplished.
So today, I thought we could take a little trip back in time, to 1207! This year marks my “middle age” so it seems a suitable place to start, a time when a filly like me, with a magnificent silver mane and tail, was just discovering the true purpose of a horse, and let’s be honest, enjoying a bit of freedom.
A Time of Change
1207 was a bit of a turning point, especially in our horsey world. You see, before this, a draught horse like me would primarily have been a working horse. We were pulling the plows, hauling the carts, and generally making life easier for the people who relied on us. It was hard work, yes, but also deeply satisfying. We were at the heart of their existence, vital for every chore.
The change came gradually but surely, the pace quickened as new, smaller breeds arrived. They were elegant, fast, and much loved for riding and showing. Some folks started seeing us draught horses differently - a bit old fashioned, a bit, well, robust. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of our strength and hard-working spirit! We were the muscles of a society, strong as oaks and loyal as the sun!
Yet, change was afoot. There was more to a horse's life than just pulling plows and carrying burdens. While some still toiled on the land, some, especially in wealthier households, began riding for leisure. Just imagine, a magnificent, muscular, handsome fellow like myself ... could we possibly become the centre of attention, of the aristocracy, maybe even royalty, enjoying a grand gallop through the country fields? I'd happily do a little posing for that.
From Working Horses to Hunting Champions
But before you start picturing me, all glammed up, galloping alongside a lord, let’s be realistic! You can’t just swap an ox for a draft horse overnight. I was built for strength and power, and the 'hunt' would not be an option for us. However, my cousins, the "smaller" horses, you could say "the speedier models" began finding a new place for themselves in this hunting scene, dashing over fields in pursuit of the stag.
Those smaller horses, elegant and nimble, were well suited for this new sport. Imagine those long legs, those delicate hooves, leaping over fences, their eyes gleaming with energy and ambition! They were truly like elegant dancers, swift and sure, graceful and free. We might have missed out on that particular party but it’s important to see how they helped change our world. It paved the way for a more diverse horsey society.
Life In the Highlands, Where The Wind Bites
Back in Hayfield, life was simpler, much slower than the busy hustle-bustle of those city folk, the big nobles, and the 'hunters'. In our world, it was all about hard work, resilience, and the love for the simple joys in life, a good bite of hay, a shared mud bath, the camaraderie of other strong souls. We shared the work and the burdens. Life was pretty steady. My life was spent plowing, carrying wood, transporting grain to the miller - all essential work. Yet, on weekends, when we weren't needed, I often ran free on the hills.
Those runs, they were my escapes. I would charge up hills, hooves drumming a joyful beat, and revel in the glorious view, the endless stretch of land under a cloudless sky. Even the biting Highland wind couldn’t dampen our spirits. Sometimes, the other draught horses and I would find ourselves standing for hours, on the brow of a hill, soaking in the sun, breathing in the fresh air, enjoying each other’s company, sharing the warmth. These were the golden hours, the quiet moments of our life.
The Enduring Spirit of the Horse
Even today, nearly a thousand years later, as I graze in my hayfield, enjoying the cool wind on my face, I am struck by the timeless power of the horse. In those ancient times, horses were woven into every facet of life - pulling, carrying, helping to build our civilization. And, while the world has evolved around us, some of our core values still ring true - strength, endurance, loyalty, and courage. We still play an integral role in society, even if it's in different ways. And every day, as I step out of my stable, into the wide expanse of the Highlands, I take deep breaths of this life-giving air and know, we’ll always be a crucial part of our world's fabric.
Stay tuned for my next blog post. I might tell you about some of our exploits in this new millennium, what a journey! And be sure to check out the other posts on Equiworld. I love to hear the tales from fellow equines all over the world!
Until next time, my friends, keep your heads up, hooves strong, and spirits high!
Emma of Hayfield www.equiworld.org
