Hello, my dearest EquiWorld readers! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood grey mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen.
The world seems to be changing so fast! It’s 1239 now, and things are very different to what they were just a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my life for anything, but times certainly are a-shiftin'.
Today, I thought I'd share with you some of my observations and thoughts about this whirlwind of a year, 1239. And who knows, perhaps we might even discover some fascinating horse history along the way!
As a sturdy draught horse, I’ve always enjoyed the predictable rhythms of farm life. The satisfying crunch of oats, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves on cobbled streets, and the friendly faces of the farmhands - that’s what life is all about! Well, until recently, anyway…
You see, things began to change this year when a new master arrived in Hayfield. He’s a kind man, even if a little bit quieter than our previous master. He spends his days looking over books and muttering strange things about “black death” and “taxes.” Sometimes I even see him looking over a map that shows our little farm and its surrounding area, a wide and wild country full of hills, mountains and lochs.
Now, let me tell you, this map is no ordinary map! This map isn't made of parchment, it's made of a thin, smooth material that makes a curious rustling sound when it's rolled up. They call it... 'paper', apparently! Just goes to show, times are indeed changing!
This new master – let's call him Master Allan - seems to be deeply concerned with the health and wellbeing of horses. He regularly checks on us, examining our hooves, our coats, even our eyes, and then takes notes in a little book, mumbling something about ‘stud books' and ‘registration'.
But this isn't the only change that's happened this year.
There have been many more horses in Hayfield recently, and not just working horses like myself. Some are even the 'gentleman's mount', beautifully sleek and refined, and some are very tall horses called ‘war horses’ with big, broad chests.
Oh, the tales they have to tell! You should hear about their long journeys, across wide plains and mountains, pulling heavy carriages and carrying heavily-armoured men. They whisper of daring adventures, perilous escapes, and epic battles - it all sounds utterly thrilling, even if I wouldn't dream of getting involved myself!
However, the news of what happens beyond the rolling hills and winding rivers of Scotland is full of whispers about great wars and battles, particularly in the east. This news brings with it much worry and sadness, and sadly, sometimes I see horses brought back, covered in cuts and wounds, some missing limbs, others struggling to walk. These are the saddest sights to see.
Thankfully, things here in Hayfield are peaceful. We enjoy long, warm summer days, spending hours pulling plows, cultivating fields of golden grain, and hauling wagons filled with crops. It is good work and I take immense pride in it, especially as we are getting ready for the cold winter months ahead.
But even in these tranquil times, there are new opportunities. The news from Hayfield’s nearby town whispers of ‘races’, with prizes for the strongest, fastest horse, and whispers of an impressive arena being built. I wonder what that will be like! Perhaps someday, if Master Allan has time, he might allow me to see this grand spectacle!
In all this, the life of a farm horse is both simple and complex. We follow our routines, working hard to sustain our little community. Yet, we are also keenly aware of the changing world, and all the stories and possibilities that lie just beyond the borders of our rolling fields.
But the biggest change this year has come with the introduction of the "Horse Doctor". Oh, he is an interesting man, full of mystery!
They say he can speak to horses in ways that we never understood. I do not understand the things he says, but I do feel his kind presence, the calmness of his hand, the gentle, precise way he cleanses and heals our wounds. They say he can cure diseases that others cannot.
Now, Master Allan says it is because of this mysterious ‘Horse Doctor' that he keeps such careful track of all our horses, their lineages, and even their behaviours. They say this new way of looking after horses will help them stay strong, healthy, and work even harder!
It is indeed a strange and fascinating world that unfolds before our very hooves these days, and even though we haven’t travelled far from Hayfield, our minds wander far and wide! The changing times and all the changes they bring can be quite bewildering at times, and I often long for the simple days when things seemed a little less… uncertain.
But change, as the humans say, is inevitable!
And it’s certainly something to ponder over, especially when I stand in the field at dusk, with a light mist in the air, watching the horses gather and whisper about everything new that the world is presenting!
As a farm horse, I don't have much choice, really. I just follow my routines, pulling my load, helping the farm run smoothly. Yet, I find comfort knowing that all our lives, every little horse on this farm, is precious, and Master Allan is making sure they all receive the best possible care!
See you next time, my dearest EquiWorld readers, and I’ll make sure to let you know if anything interesting happens!
Your Emma, from Hayfield.
1239 – What's New In the World of Horses?
So, here’s some of the horse news from 1239:
- *War Horses: * There's an increasing demand for strong, agile horses for warfare across the continent.
- “The Horse Doctor”: New approaches to veterinary care for horses are gaining ground.
- Breed Registries: Horse owners and breeders start paying closer attention to documenting and improving specific breeds.
- The Rise of the ‘Gentleman’s Mount’: Horse breeding increasingly focuses on elegance and refinement, as seen in ‘gentleman's mount’ breeds.
- Travel and Trade: Horses continue to be an integral part of trade and transportation across the continent.
Until next time, remember to brush those tails and always take a good look at your hooves!
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