Welcome back, fellow equines!
Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey draught mare, writing to you from the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Today, we're stepping back in time to explore the year 1236, a year of significant changes in the horse world! As a seasoned veteran in the fields of ploughing and pulling carts, I'm excited to share my insights from a horse's point of view.
Now, I'm sure you've heard tales of valiant steeds galloping into battle. But let me tell you, those are tales for the noble warhorses, a very different life to ours! As a draught horse, my world revolves around the steady, reliable rhythm of farm life.
The year 1236 found me a young lass, barely 20 summers old, a bit rough around the edges, but strong and eager to contribute. This year, however, brought a curious change: a noticeable increase in the demand for draught horses. And not just any old workhorses! People were after the bigger, sturdier types, like me, with the strength to pull heavy carts laden with goods from far and wide.
The Age of the Cart and Carriage
Imagine our ancestors - they mostly moved goods on horseback, or even on the backs of pack animals. But, by the time 1236 rolled around, wheeled transportation had come to the fore. And it seems the heavier goods were proving too much for even the sturdy ox. This is where we draught horses stepped into the spotlight!
Now, you'll often hear stories of the majestic steeds that galloped across battlefields. But don't be fooled, those brave souls represent only a small part of the horse world! We, the workhorses, are the unsung heroes, quietly contributing to the growth of civilizations. Without us, transporting everything from grain and building materials to tools and other goods would be far more difficult! We, dear readers, are the silent engines that keep the world turning!
A Day in the Life
My life revolves around the fields of Hayfield. My days are spent ploughing the soil for the harvest, pulling heavy plows, or drawing carts brimming with hay, grain, and timber. This isn't always an easy task. Think about it! Pulling the ploughs, especially through the harder, wetter earth in the springtime, is a heavy responsibility, but it is work I love. My reward for these tireless efforts? A good mouthful of barley and a nice hay bed!
Our days start before dawn, the crisp Scottish air chilling our coats. A well-fed belly, a warm blanket of hay, and a well-loved team mate – a young gelding named Finn – makes our work so much more manageable. And that camaraderie is everything. Just you wait! We have a particularly interesting encounter with some very curious young human children to share next week!
Tales from the Farmyard
Just recently, one of the farm's workers, a stout fellow called Angus, came running in with a wild tale. Apparently, King Alexander II of Scotland had just made his way to the nearby city of Aberdeen! This news sent ripples throughout the farm, making everyone both excited and a little wary of what it might mean. King Alexander was, it was said, a great champion of horses. He was said to have been fond of hunting with hounds, a good horseman and very much respected our work. Angus added, "I hear whispers the King will be coming this way. Maybe he even stops in at Hayfield to witness our magnificent work first hand."
Now, can you imagine, dear reader? Having royalty witness our work firsthand, seeing our efforts up close, could change things for the better. Perhaps it might bring us greater appreciation or even improved care. The King’s patronage is a mighty powerful thing! But of course, these are just farm yard stories, and not all is sunshine and roses. We, the horses of Hayfield, must continue working diligently as ever, no matter who’s watching.
The Challenges of the Trade
You see, the year 1236, whilst being a year of prosperity for many of us draught horses, also brings its challenges. I’ve heard stories, whispered in hushed tones in the stable, of hard-working horses treated with cruel neglect, driven too far, starved and poorly housed. These stories fill me with sorrow. The strength and beauty of the horse, their capacity for loyalty, make this mistreatment all the more tragic. It's a reminder that we need to care for ourselves and for one another, even amongst the hardest working, most diligent among us.
We are, after all, more than just our labour! Horses like me, we carry the strength of a hundred men! I wouldn’t trade places with those magnificent steeds in the battlefields. There is a pride and an integrity to the honest work of the fields. There’s beauty in a steady gait, the rhythm of hooves on the dirt, and the quiet sense of accomplishment when the day’s work is done.
The world of the horse is not always about galloping in glory. It's about the quiet, tireless strength of those who plough the fields, who haul the carts, and who provide for a hungry world. We are the foundation of civilisation! And we, the workhorses, continue to work, knowing that we make a difference.
Tune in next week for a peek into life on Hayfield! I have lots more to tell you about 1236, the new young horses, Finn’s comical misadventures, and the mystery that hangs heavy over our world: Is King Alexander actually going to visit Hayfield? Find out in the next exciting episode!
Until then, stay well, * *Emma
[P.S.] **Have you had any interesting encounters with your own human companions this year? Share your stories! What are the most significant happenings in your world? Share with the equiworld.org community and leave a comment on this post!
