Hello there, EquiWorld! It's Emma here, a 20-year-old grey draught mare with a mane and tail as white as fresh snow. You might be wondering how a horse like me manages to post on a blog, well, let me tell you, it's a bit of a whirlwind. See, my best friend, the stable boy Robbie, knows a young lad in town who works for a printing house. He's got the cleverest idea – he calls it a "printing press". It lets them churn out words like no one's ever seen before, and you know what, Robbie has been writing down all my thoughts. He's the kindest lad, always happy to lend a hoof (or should I say, a hand?).
Anyway, I thought I'd share a bit of my life with you, particularly as it's 1470 – a year of change, progress, and yes, a few stumbles, even for a big, strong horse like me. I'm born and bred in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland, and this year, I've found myself in the midst of some incredible stories that I just have to tell!
The Year of the Turnip
This year, my human companions, Farmer Duncan and his wife Moira, decided to introduce a new crop to our fields. This lovely green, bulbous root they called a “turnip”. They swore it was better for the winter than the usual oats and barley. And honestly? It's delicious! It fills us up so much better than the oats. I'm thankful for it. We get to eat much more of it too, as Moira is excellent at growing it!
Work on the Land
The life of a working horse like myself can be very satisfying, even if it's sometimes tiring. This year, as always, I spent many a sunny day in the field, diligently pulling the plough with my good friends – Dobbin, a handsome chestnut, and Maisie, a kind-hearted mare with a chestnut coat. We might bicker sometimes, but it’s all in good fun! Our bond as working animals is strong, and we rely on each other. There's a quiet strength in a team, a rhythm we find in the dirt and sweat of our labour, and when it’s done, nothing feels better than the cooling wind across our coats as we stand in the stable, enjoying a hearty supper of barley.
King's Feast and Tournaments
You wouldn’t believe what a hubbub the village is in this year! King Edward IV has invited the King of Scotland up to Edinburgh for a feast – it's supposed to be the grandest thing they've ever seen. And we, the draught horses of Hayfield, were lucky enough to play our part.
Moira and Duncan took me all the way to Edinburgh, where we met dozens upon dozens of horses. Some were magnificent steeds with shiny coats, sleek bodies, and even the odd horse sporting the fancy trappings that knights rode! Some, even smaller than I am, had been ridden hard in fierce contests of horsemanship and courage that they called a “tournament”. Those tournaments involved all sorts of games and trials of strength, like archery from horseback. The horses and riders would compete for medals, praise, and even ladies' favours! It was quite the spectacle!
Horses for Every Task
Being part of the King's feast procession was amazing, pulling carts laden with the finest fabrics, silverware, and delicious cakes. I never thought I would see so much! The horses that carried the Knights into the arena had to be the most agile of all – it took great strength and grace to handle all that fancy armour. Those knights looked fearsome – metal-clad, with long, sharp spears, but when they weren't riding in the tournaments, they were friendly and even offered me some sweet oat cakes! The knights had even a smaller type of horse, known as a ‘charger’, for everyday duties, even for hunting.
The Importance of the Breed
You know, it made me reflect upon our differences as horses – from the magnificent Warhorses, like those used for battle or the prestigious Tournaments, to the nimble and courageous steeds who gallop alongside their noble masters in hunts, and to us working horses like myself. It was humbling, seeing those warhorses stand proud with their warriors. And, to think, I am part of the powerful, sturdy Clydesdale breed. These days, our strength and size are in great demand for transporting goods and even for work in mines. I am glad to do my part, carrying important supplies, whether they be crops or even the precious materials for building and construction. I am proud to work, even when it gets tiring! I may not have the elegant features of the charger, but the sturdiness of my frame helps provide a necessary service, so the human world can move.
Horses – Our Unique Role
One of the interesting things I've learnt this year is the variety of ways horses play a part in people's lives. They've even developed new ways to utilize our strength! They are beginning to harness our strength with machinery – waterwheels, plows and, the thing that fascinated me most, they now make devices to even churn butter – that’s my human friend Moira’s job – churning! She loves it! Even in these new devices, it’s still the horses who provide the initial energy and drive – turning wheels, pulling, and driving these machines that make the work easier and quicker. It feels a little strange to think I am a vital part of this whole machinery that seems to have taken over a lot of the tasks we did before. We still do most of the plowing and pulling, but this feels like a change in how humans view us.
Life on the Road
All in all, this year has been full of adventure. The journey to Edinburgh was challenging but exciting, filled with encounters with interesting people, like the blacksmith who worked with such precision on horseshoes, and even a weaver, who made beautiful tapestries that featured horses. Sometimes I felt sad to be away from the familiar sights and smells of my fields, the comfort of the stable at night, and the comforting warmth of Farmer Duncan and Moira.
The highlight was, of course, getting to see Edinburgh and experiencing a taste of courtly life. There were so many people, all decked out in finery. I met all sorts of interesting animals – falcons, dogs, cats – even a magnificent grey wolf in a cage! We were fed and watered so well during the journey and, surprisingly, we even saw other horses of our breed! All in all, it was quite an adventure.
A New Discovery
After Edinburgh, I learned that my friend Dobbin had gone to another city even larger – a place called London. He spoke of narrow cobblestone streets that buzzed with activity and where horses pulled carts, carts that sometimes held not goods but actual passengers! He called them "cabs". Apparently, there was even a King, although not as grand as the King of Scotland!
Coming Home and New Friends
After a long, yet satisfying, journey back to Hayfield, it was like I'd been born anew. Seeing Farmer Duncan and Moira smile, knowing I had arrived home safe, brought a peace that nothing else could offer. I still yearn for Dobbin’s tales of a grand, bustling city, but I feel fortunate for what I have – a safe haven and the familiarity of our fields and our work. This year has changed me – filled my life with exciting experiences and instilled a love of travel. And, this is how, a grey draught horse named Emma found herself blogging, sharing stories of this life we live in 1470.
