Hello everyone, Emma here! Welcome back to my humble corner of the Equiworld website. Today, I'm feeling particularly chatty, as it’s the anniversary of my birth, a beautiful day in 1299! How lucky I am to be a horse born in this age. So many exciting developments happening around the globe, and in Hayfield near Aberdeen, life’s been pretty darned grand for me!
My life’s been rather routine lately. Mostly it’s hard work, and my big grey body is just fine with that. These big sturdy draught horses like me are essential for our community here in Hayfield. We plough the fields for our barley and oats, haul the harvest in and out of the barns, even pull those carts brimming with oats to the local mill. It’s tough but rewarding, knowing we play a crucial role in providing for everyone.
However, I have a secret love… a passion beyond the day-to-day grind! I love to spend evenings down by the River Dee. My humans, the McGregors, are so kind, letting me graze in the meadow by the river. The evenings are tranquil, with only the sound of water trickling, and the gentle breeze rustling the grass. You see, you just never know who you might bump into down by the river… the horses!
Speaking of the River Dee, I saw something absolutely amazing there last week! The most majestic steed, tall and lean, covered in shiny chestnut fur, galloped past me as I grazed. It had a fiery spirit, a glint in its eye, and a flowing tail like a river of silk! My friend, the stable boy, Ewan, told me it was a War Horse, likely headed to the battlefield in England. It made my heart ache with a bit of jealousy and fear, thinking of all the hardship and danger awaiting this strong warrior. War has always been a sad fact of life in this era.
Ewan also whispered something that truly fascinated me. It seems King Edward of England and his barons have a real struggle on their hands, trying to hold onto their lands across the Scottish border. Imagine, my strong grey brothers are carrying warriors across these very borders, fighting for their land! Talk about exciting, although I certainly prefer my meadow adventures.
I did learn a lot that evening with Ewan. We talked about how horses are the key to any successful army, whether they're charging in with their cavalry or simply moving supplies and soldiers across long distances. I always feel a pang of sadness thinking about the dangers these horses face.
But even with the shadow of war hanging over us, there's a real spark of hope, and innovation too, throughout the equestrian world. Remember those amazing saddles with the padded backs we saw on the King’s warhorses? My humans tell me they’re still in development, but already more comfortable and safer than any others we’ve ever seen. These saddles are like a blessing from the Gods for those magnificent steeds!
Of course, in Scotland, our love of horses goes deeper than war or luxury. The humble, hard-working draught horse is essential to the very heart of our rural lives. It makes my hooves tap with pride to think how much we contribute to this land, from tilling fields for the oats that feed everyone to carrying loads of fish from the coast to the market, just look at our hard work paying off!
Speaking of oats, just the other day I overheard a conversation at the local pub. My stable boy Ewan had told me there are these wonderful things called “horseshoes”! They are specially made, and I hear they make the roads feel softer under our hooves. Sounds good to me! I bet it's going to change the world of horses.
Anyway, I need to go now and help Ewan prepare for the day ahead. I’ll leave you with this thought: remember the importance of horses in our world. The love and respect we show our horses will keep the spirit of adventure, hard work, and the love of these magnificent creatures alive for generations to come.
Until next time, Happy Trails!
Emma
P.S. - Please visit www.equiworld.org for even more fascinating stories and articles about horses. Share your stories about the horses in your lives with everyone!
