Blog post 1395 – by Emma, Hayfield, Aberdeen, Scotland
My name is Emma and I am a 20-year-old Grey Draught mare. I have a white mane and tail – just like a fluffy cloud in the sky! And my life, my dear friends, is one of a beautiful, fulfilling simplicity, filled with hard work and the comfort of a loving stable and family. As I watch the new sun rise each day, painting the Scottish highlands in shades of pink and orange, I find myself thinking about horses through history and their journeys. So, let’s embark on our own journey of history and delve into 1395.
We all know 1395 isn't a 'wow factor' year like 1066 with the Norman conquest or 1945 marking the end of WWII – but in many ways, this was a significant year for us horses. This was a time of constant change.
Let's head back in time…
Life on the Farm: 1395
In the Highlands of Scotland, life is often harsh and unforgiving. It's a wild and beautiful place with windswept moors and rocky hills. But I've always been blessed with a kind and loving farmer, Iain. His family has owned our farm in Hayfield near Aberdeen for generations.
They appreciate my hard work and gentle nature, so they don’t overburden me. I work in the fields, pulling the plow, transporting hay bales, and helping to harvest the precious crops that nourish our community. I am thankful for the trust placed upon me – to be the reliable and strong workforce upon which many depend. There’s a gentle satisfaction, an unspoken connection when a field is beautifully ploughed and the soil feels just right beneath my hooves. We’re part of a symphony of life here; I’m glad to play my role, with each passing season, each golden sunset.
I am part of a large family of horses – the other draughths like me, as well as some lighter ponies that move quickly between the farms to carry messages and goods. Our stable is filled with a beautiful symphony of snorts, nickers and neighs as we come together each day, with my kind gentle nature leading many a weary hoof through a long day of work.
The Knights of the Realm: A Look into Chivalry and Tournaments
In 1395, you’ll find that knights, warriors with shining armour and brave hearts, are not far from our thoughts here in the Highlands.
I know that knights are important – I hear stories from the farmhands of their deeds of courage, justice, and honour – protecting the realm. It is these very same knights, that often travel upon our brethren! In fact, our noble breed was originally a cross of wild ponies and war horses brought to these islands by the Romans, all those years ago.
I imagine them being majestic steeds, powerful yet nimble, carrying these warriors to their battles and tournaments, the proud knight a fearless warrior and I am, quite simply, an integral part of the magnificent tapestry of their lives.
Royal Stallions and Noble Breeding:
This year marks an important milestone – it is 1395! You see, the year 1395 is particularly important to horses – it was the year when King Richard II, that man of grand power in the land of England, commissioned the very first “stud book”.
He understood that good breeding meant good bloodlines. The "stud book" is a detailed record of the genealogy of all the horses in England, outlining their strengths, weaknesses and family lines, almost like our "family trees". In those times, such knowledge meant being able to create exceptional horses for war and riding.
From that day onwards, it ensured that even with battles, and raids, and changing ownership of horses, every foal had a documented record that tracked them back through the years! King Richard was very clever, and he knew just how important our strong bloodlines were to his knights!
But don't think, for one minute, that this is just for knights and wars. In 1395, even a humble draught horse like me, playing our part in a farm, we all play our roles in making life better. My family was also keenly aware that their horses played a vital role in everyday life.
From the Stable: My Favourite Things About Being a Horse
As a mare, I know I’m incredibly lucky. There’s nothing quite like the scent of the dew-kissed grass as we graze after a long day’s work – each bite a reminder of a world rich with nature's treasures. It's pure happiness and contentment – nothing is better than this simple pleasure!
I'm also fortunate to have a wise old horse named "Charlie" in the stables with me. He is as white as snow with a beard as long as my foreleg and is always teaching me the ways of horses. Charlie knows so much history. He's told me stories of wars won and lost and about life on the moors and fields, both gentle and sometimes dangerous, where wild horses once ran free.
He even told me that I'm named after a very brave Scottish princess who escaped capture during the wars of independence, using a fleet of powerful grey horses!
Oh, Charlie - what a wondrous horse he is. His calm presence is like a gentle reminder that sometimes the biggest, the grandest of things – even battles – pale in comparison to simple things: love, friendship, and companionship – things I value dearly.
As the last rays of the sun dip behind the Scottish hills and we settle in our stalls, I am reminded – I am a Grey Draught Mare – and life is truly good. I’m just another simple horse, living life one day at a time, doing what I love, working hard on our farm.
And I, Emma, with a fluffy mane like a white cloud, am very thankful for every single day that I’m alive!
