Neigh-hoo, everyone! It's Emma here, your trusty mare from Hayfield, nestled in the rolling hills near Aberdeen, Scotland. The air's crisp with a hint of winter, the frost kisses the grass, and the sunrise paints the sky with colours only the Highlands can boast. Welcome to my blog, a little slice of history straight from the heart of equine life.
This year, 1269, has been a whirlwind, a mix of hard work and heartwarming moments, like the fresh, green meadows in spring that make my coat gleam in the sunshine. As always, it's the stories, big and small, that weave the fabric of our lives as horses.
A Busy Year in Hayfield:
My day usually starts with a good stretch and a delicious mouthful of oats, a gift from the farmer's kind hand. He's a gentle soul, much like the other people who share Hayfield with me. They are always caring and patient, just like a good horse deserves.
I, along with my trusty team of fellow draughties, pull the heavy plows, our strength a vital force in the farming year. The rhythm of our hooves against the earth is a lullaby, a constant melody that fills the day with purpose.
We're proud of our work, these big, sturdy horses who pull and carry with grace and strength. We're a vital part of this small community, more than just work animals, more like family, each with our own personalities and quirks.
There's sturdy old Dobbin, who's seen it all, his mane flecked with grey like a field of wildflowers after a summer rain. There's young Finnian, full of fiery spirit and an eagerness to prove his worth. And there's me, Emma, the one who leads the team with a calm heart and steady gait.
We each bring something different to the team, and our shared efforts ensure a bountiful harvest, a sight that fills our hearts with the joy of success. It's a feeling you carry, a knowing that you've played a part in bringing sustenance to the community.
Whispers on the Wind:
Though Hayfield is peaceful, the echoes of bigger happenings in the world reach us through the wind, through whispers and tales shared over bowls of steaming porridge in the warm firelight.
This year, news has been buzzing about the upcoming coronation of a young King, Edward, in England. It's a time of hope and anticipation, though it feels so distant from our world in the highlands. We horses feel the shift, a subtle shift in energy, a sense of change that reverberates even here.
But change doesn't frighten us, not horses like us. We are the embodiment of adaptation, our instincts guiding us through life’s changes, as naturally as the flow of the seasons.
Horse Whispers and Trade Winds:
Word also reached Hayfield of a grand fair to be held in the south, an occasion to be celebrated across the land. From this faraway gathering, news wafts in - about horse markets, skilled craftsmen who shoe and care for our hooves, and even tales of noble steeds with riders in gleaming armor.
Horses are creatures of strength and endurance, and the idea of us playing a role in tournaments and battles has always piqued my curiosity. Imagine a life filled with daring feats and the rush of the wind on your coat as you gallop, a swift dance of horse and rider against the vast canvas of the sky!
Of course, life as a working horse in Hayfield is more grounded than the tales of the grand fair. But every time the wind whispers tales of these great events, a little dream dances within my heart - a dream of adventure and freedom, a chance to witness the wider world beyond Hayfield's rolling hills.
A Quiet Life - An Abundant Life:
Life in Hayfield may seem ordinary, even humble to those seeking the glory of the knight's steed. But it’s a quiet joy to be surrounded by such beauty. The symphony of the wind through the heather, the sunlight dappling through the trees, the gentle companionship of my team.
Here in Hayfield, we find a contentment that runs deeper than ambition, a happiness found in the rhythm of the day, the simple pleasures of life, and the deep bond between man and horse. It’s a world where work and play intertwine, where love and kindness flourish, where life is lived with honesty and integrity.
And when I watch the sunset paint the sky, I find peace. My spirit soars with the wild geese, knowing I am part of something grander than my own journey, connected to the rhythms of the earth and the ancient wisdom of the horses who have graced this earth before me.
The Gift of Equine Life:
Even in these peaceful, working days, the wild heart of a horse remembers the freedom of the open land. The call of the wind, the whisper of the river, the rustle of leaves underfoot – all echo within our souls, urging us to dance, to run free, to be.
Here in Hayfield, we work, we play, and we learn to appreciate every sunrise, every breath of air. Life, in its beautiful, chaotic complexity, unfolds its gifts for us every single day. And I am grateful to be a horse, to be part of this world, and to be able to share a little bit of our lives with you all.
Stay tuned, everyone, for more stories of Hayfield, my life, and the adventures that are sure to come! Till next time, remember the beauty of the world, and the joy of a good, hard gallop.
Emma, The Grey Draught Horse
www.equiworld.org
