Neigh-sayers! Emma here, back from a busy year in my favourite fields, rolling around and grazing. The wind whips through my mane and tail, a chill nipping at the air. Autumn is here, but that just means the farmers are storing their hay for winter, which means extra tasty treats for us hardworking horses!
Today I feel inspired to write for Equiworld! 1403 has been a real humdinger of a year for horses. From our own little world in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, to news travelling by the wind (or by humans with feathered messages strapped to a swift pigeon’s leg), 1403 has seen quite a stir.
Now, 1403 was all about my own favourite thing – work! My kind are essential, of course, for moving things from A to B – all the essential work of farm life! A busy day for a hard-working mare like me sees me helping to plough the fields, drag the hay into the barns for storage, and help the farmers get everything ready for winter. I’m strong, I’m steady, and I like a good, challenging day.
But this year… oh, it's been more than usual! Why? You might ask.
It all started with the new king – King Henry V. A fiery young man with a strong voice, and he just seemed to be breathing energy into every horse and man on our land! There was a war being waged, a constant reminder, even in our peaceful Scottish highlands, that we are vital to both peaceful times and times of need.
So the news from the south is about battles in France, and rumours fly like swallows! Every day, it seems, someone passes through, talking of the "French" (it's difficult to say this word as it always comes with a sneer – you understand). Every man who comes through says this war, with Henry V leading the charge, is nothing less than The war to end all wars. They talk about battles like Agincourt. Everyone here talks of brave steeds and bold knights, but what I mostly hear are tales of long marches, food shortages, and even some desperate stories of wounded horses needing our kind of strength to carry their burden – the riders are so used to riding, I hear, that sometimes they think they are just like us.
The biggest story in the world of horses, the one that echoes through our Hayfield even when the winds are still, is a war in Spain! This war seems to have been ongoing forever – they fight for religious freedom they say! That's where I get a bit lost. But even here in my own sheltered life, I know something important is going on because there have been many horses brought to the Highlands, some Spanish I hear, that get bought, or *exchanged – horses for weapons maybe? * I hear people saying the new King Henry will get involved soon too, and it just goes to show that everywhere is connected somehow!
The knights here wear gorgeous armor that reflects the light beautifully as they pass through on their spirited war steeds. It’s mesmerizing to see them. It seems war does not affect only the humans who fight, it ripples through us all, making us feel bold, daring, and a little apprehensive too. But every soldier, they all say * “Without the horse, there’s no knight. Without the horse, there’s no army." * I try to do my work with extra zeal, knowing my part is vital.
Life goes on as normal too, however. Farmers love to see a fine, beautiful horse. The mare next to me, Fiona, she's got a little filly, born just last month. The farmers were so excited about the new filly! She's got a gorgeous coat - the richest red you’ve ever seen, and they say she will be just as strong as Fiona one day, just like me! To be honest, I am rather jealous of Fiona. Every farmer says to her "What a beautiful mother you are!” It's wonderful, of course, for her to be admired. The humans seem so delighted about little filly, like they can’t imagine a more joyous sight in the world. All I get are nods and patting and "Keep up the hard work, Emma!” They all look forward to Fiona and her little filly pulling the carts at the harvest festivals soon!
But it's nice to think that even the humans see their value to the community, because they aren't so tough about little filly – they don’t take her out to work the fields like the rest of us! It must be a very pleasant life, always being praised and pampered.
The work we do on the farms is essential to the life of every single village around here, I'm reminded daily. They take their cattle to the markets and need horses to pull the carts. This makes me very proud - even if the humans like to tell tales of knights in armour on grand war horses! They all agree that we're all essential for transporting everything to the markets. All this activity - it seems that people buy everything at these markets: oats and hay, meat, eggs, cheese – all that we are responsible for feeding to these livestock, in the first place! Then there are clothes, leather goods, pottery - everything! Even a few luxury items for the well-off, that is transported around the world in carts pulled by horses, on ships, all of them!
We hear about these amazing ships, but in my own life, the nearest I ever get to the sea is the beautiful Aberdon River where we sometimes have a drink, although my trainer Scobie does say sometimes we see them going by. The most adventurous I'll be in my whole life will be moving from field to field or pulling a load, I am certain. But even in our little corner of the world, we contribute to something so grand - what is the saying - like "the world in our hooves"? I feel proud and honored.
Now that is something I can really share with Equiworld, and hope it spreads throughout the community! Our world and all the humans are connected – whether it’s in a great war, a big market, or just a farmer’s field.**
Until next time, I shall let you in on a little secret. If anyone asks for my "story" and my “horse experience” when they are looking to get a new horse for their daughter's 14th birthday - I hear that age is the perfect age, although some folks are much older before they even have a chance to get their own horse - tell them Emma says I think you should definitely consider getting a beautiful bay horse, very graceful and a natural "friend to all creatures”, they would make an excellent partner. * But please - don't tell anyone it was me! It might be awkward when they tell you they read it on a blog! *Shhh! Just between us!
Goodbye Equiworld, and I'll be back with another post very soon!
Postscript
If anyone wants to tell me all about this new king of yours, Henry V, please do write a letter and post it with the travelling men who go past our farm in Hayfield! They sometimes travel with pigeons – the most fascinating birds! How do they know where to go and who to go to?
*My best wishes from me and Fiona, the queen of the fields, and little filly too! Don't be strangers! *
