By Emma, Grey Draught Mare
From Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland
Good day to you all, dear readers! It’s Emma here, a grey draught mare with a mane and tail as white as the freshly fallen snow in winter. I’m writing this from my comfortable stall here at Hayfield, looking out onto the rolling green hills of Scotland. I’ve just enjoyed a hearty breakfast of oats and barley, and the sun is shining bright through the open stable door, warming my coat.
This week, as I was taking my daily stroll through the fields, I started thinking about the world of horses and how much it has changed throughout the years. 1317 is an important year in horse history, you know! So much is happening in this year across the world - exciting times for horses like me!
For you youngsters, or those of you new to horse history, the world looked a lot different back in 1317! Just a quick trip down memory lane:
War & Glory: Knights, Chargers & Steeds
We horses, like many of our kind throughout history, have often been right at the heart of battles and battles are definitely what’s dominating the news these days! Just last week, we heard about King Robert the Bruce of Scotland, who has been victorious at the Battle of Dupplin Moor! You could say we, the noble steeds, played a vital role in his victory. Now the King has gained more territory. Our warhorse brethren fought bravely. Brave, powerful beasts, they were, each warrior horse a formidable opponent on the battlefield! This is what you could call real equestrian excellence, no fancy shows or elaborate equestrian performances in a grand castle for them. They carried their riders in the fight, battling and conquering side by side.
The knights, clad in their gleaming armour, rode bravely into the fray, and they wouldn’t be able to do it without us, of course. It’s said the riders even fed their mounts with special oats and barley mixtures to keep them fit and strong for battle.
In the French court, King Philip VI, newly crowned in 1317, is busy strategizing about his own battles, with his valiant knights standing by. I understand these royal figures often choose horses with the greatest nobility, the best bloodlines, and magnificent grace and strength, just the same way they select the knights themselves. They even host grand tournaments, a mix of bravery and ceremony. Knights on their horses parade in a dazzling spectacle! They joust for honour and glory, vying for the favour of the fair ladies watching. You’ll never see such an equestrian performance anywhere! The crowds roar with cheers and gasps! It's truly thrilling!
Working Horses & the Ploughman’s Faithful Friend
But the story of the horse is not all war and glory, you know. I must say, there’s plenty more to tell about our contributions, you could call it "working class", if you will. We are, after all, an indispensable part of every aspect of everyday life, both for those of noble status and the average peasant. We're not all fancy steeds! You could say we have many important "roles", so to speak. And we all pull our weight in keeping this world turning!
Here in Hayfield, we are busy tilling the fields, pulling ploughs, transporting goods, and helping farmers with their daily tasks. Every morning, we are fed, groomed, and set to work with the farmers, moving heavy loads and helping them reap what they’ve sown. It’s honest, hard work, yes. But it's also very rewarding. We're so valuable to these people. After all, it's all of us draught horses who ensure people have food to eat!
Our hard work is celebrated, you know! For example, during harvest time, people hold "Horse-Drawn Competitions". This means we're challenged to race and demonstrate how strong we are by pulling huge loads and navigating difficult courses. I just adore it! You feel like you are part of the event.
The winning horses, those that demonstrate true grit and determination, are awarded with delicious oats, pats and kind words - a real treat! The farmers even say a little prayer of thanks for us, calling us “The Backbone of Society.” Isn’t that just wonderful! It fills you with a feeling of importance!
Horses as messengers and explorers
Of course, horses aren’t just used for battle or work on the farms! The year 1317 has some more interesting uses for us! Imagine this: a galloping rider on horseback, the wind whipping through their hair, delivering vital messages across long distances! Yes! You can thank our trusty hooves and stamina for enabling fast communication. It was once said by a wise monk I overheard - he called us “winged feet” because of the speed with which we travel.
Horses are carrying important messages throughout the land, both near and far! A courier riding fast, bearing letters containing crucial news of war, trade deals, and gossip about those grand events happening in the castles. Can you believe they use us horses to transport goods as well? It makes us so useful, doesn't it?
The people are even starting to make saddles for long rides, which I think is a good innovation! It allows for greater comfort for the riders who are journeying vast distances on their mounts. That also means the messengers can keep going, bringing information even quicker.
Oh, and a quick note on the explorers! These brave souls are on long, arduous voyages of discovery, all thanks to the noble horse. In 1317, we hear tales of daring adventures of these travellers in distant lands, bringing back news and treasures from foreign kingdoms and lands. Now, I have never left Hayfield, but imagine all the things they see! Exotic animals, amazing plants! I bet the riders talk of a truly enchanting world! I am ever so grateful for being able to play my small part in exploring these unknown frontiers!
New Developments and Advances in Equine Care
And what are the most recent news items in our horse world? You will be pleased to hear some advances in equestrian knowledge are being made in this very year, 1317. That's right! Horse owners are starting to focus more on better equine care. I've heard they are starting to adopt innovative practices in shoeing, farriery, and equine nutrition! They have figured out that good diet for the horses results in better health and stronger performance! This, of course, will translate into a better working experience for us horses, too. It really does make a difference, you know. It all means longer lives and healthier days.
More interestingly, people are writing books! These books share a treasure trove of information on breeding, care, training, and the history of horses! All those fascinating stories and the information we horses gather as we go about our days, it's all there! The monks even use us in libraries, you know. You’d never think you’d find a book about the art of shoeing, or the various ways to care for horses, but now we have a vast collection of equine literature to guide us and our caretakers. They can access information to make us all happier, healthier, and even smarter.
What else can you expect to hear? We've seen significant growth in horse training! We're told more people than ever are developing skills in equestrian arts and techniques, with emphasis on horsemanship. People are studying, observing, learning, and sharing! We can feel the progress being made all around us!
Sharing the love for horses: Equiworld!
Now, I do hope this blog has shed some light on the amazing and important year that is 1317. From the knights in gleaming armour on our warhorse backs to the ploughman’s faithful friends pulling their way through the fields, we’re all vital in a way. And even those daring explorers using us for travel to uncover new lands and treasures. We horses play our vital role in many areas! As for the love of the horse - and I love telling our stories. That's why I started blogging. I believe that even a simple grey draught horse from Scotland can tell an engaging story. So I hope my blogs bring a little insight into the important role our kind plays in the history of the world. We are an incredible part of a tapestry of stories woven by our ancestors before us and that will continue after us!
Remember, readers, there’s so much more to tell, and this is only a glimpse of the horse’s fascinating history, spanning so many years and so many places around the world. The website www.equiworld.org is for everyone to share stories of all the horses. Why not share your story of your trusty steed?
Until next time!
Yours, Emma
