My dear Equiworld friends!
Greetings from Hayfield, nestled near Aberdeen. This year, 1472, seems to have been all about the hustle and bustle for us horses. I’m Emma, a grey draught horse with a mane and tail as white as freshly fallen snow, and let me tell you, it's been a busy year for a 20-year-old mare!
The world's moving fast…
My human companions, the lovely McGregor family, seem to have been endlessly on the go this year. They've been all over Scotland, transporting goods to market. Now, a draught horse like myself has the stamina for that, it's all in a day's work. The roads were definitely quite muddy with all the rain earlier this year – much harder work for my fellow horses, some with thinner hooves than mine, but hey, that's what oats are for! They are our fuel! I remember in Spring the sun shone warm and bright for many weeks - a good time for all the mares, such as myself, who had foals at this time, for our little ones to grow strong.
I've got a bit of a 'nose' for things you see, and you might think that’s a bit of a stretch, but as we say "the world’s your oyster" when it’s time to eat. It’s not about being "nosey", it's about a draught horse learning how to smell opportunity, like finding out where the tastiest oat fields grow – something I happen to be pretty good at. This year, the biggest buzz around Hayfield has been the talk of this King Edward, King of England that is, because the word is out that he wants to secure more of this country. The McGregors, a loyal family, believe this "King" should not interfere in matters concerning Scotland! A wise woman I met told me, as she always does, that 'only the brave win'. Now this made sense to me. I knew deep down I was brave, but who was brave enough to actually stop this man wanting to conquer Scotland, for such a task I believe only the greatest human could accomplish, someone really, really clever… and that's just what our "leader" - King James is!
You can bet this year has been particularly exciting for the people of our town of Aberdeen, just a few miles down the road from where we live in Hayfield. As many of you will know, Aberdeen is right on the coast - with stunning views and a busy harbour. For months now, everyone's been talking about King James' plan to build more ships. A few people seem to be a bit anxious. Why build even more? Because that means the brave men of our country will have to sail these ships off to "foreign lands" - places like, France - that’s where we get the lovely wine that makes me relax so well! Everyone has got their own opinions. There is a sense of excitement. It all depends on where this "King Edward" from England thinks he is going, for I tell you there will be some very serious battles, with many strong horses fighting by their sides – of course, I am talking about the mighty human riders who work together to keep Scotland strong. We're a hardy people here and we know how to stick up for ourselves, as our proud king has told us time and time again, "never give in", and that includes us horses. There’s this big talk that King James needs a huge amount of horses, as this King of England has a massive army that may attack us here at Aberdeen soon, we might just be able to stop them but there will need to be many more horses ready at Aberdeen in the very near future. A horse’s place is on the frontline and we’ll be there with the brave, and those less so! They call this sort of war - "a defensive war". We have not sought out war! Our human masters would never have us go to war unnecessarily! I have read that England is about to come here, in this year of 1472 and I will just add, from my point of view that this year - the year of the Hare - could turn out to be something quite big in terms of wars, maybe the biggest yet - because it is the "biggest", because Scotland needs every horse in this "great battle". We all believe we will succeed! My "humans" are quite clever in these matters, and for many years my job has been working for the "human master". I pull the heavy plows and carts and I am more than ready, for whatever challenges await this "horse of destiny" named Emma - and who knows perhaps there’s some fighting for this little horse of destiny in 1472 - although I wouldn't really want that!
A busy time…
We haven't been slacking in Hayfield, though. You can’t get a break in the Scottish countryside. There’s always a new barn to build, or an extra haystack to gather. The McGregors have a son called Finlay, just about ten years old, and he has been learning the "horseman" trade and has been trying to teach me lots of new "horse skills" to make sure he stays a true, strong, and loyal, and I might add quite brilliant "horseman"! It takes hard work for any boy learning these horse skills! But with lots of patience (from me, that is), he’s been learning to ride me and I hope I will teach him well, for what kind of young man could make a true horseman unless they knew horses as well as I! He reminds me of myself as a foal. There are some similarities - I do not know if I was such a good boy, though, as he! But that doesn't stop Finlay - he is a brave little lad! Finlay always helps my owners. He's a strong lad who has a really good connection with horses - he will surely be a fine horseman, and in fact already is, at such a young age! I mean look, even his little sister wants a turn on the saddle and can already pull up on the reins with me – you just know the McGregors are the right family for me, and maybe someday when the boys are older they will teach my little filly that is coming, a week or so before my next birthday. My oh my. How time does fly! I always do love a new foal – it reminds me of myself, and reminds the other horses of where we've all come from. It is a special feeling for us "old horses".
The year of the Hare
In all my 20 years, I have never seen anything quite like this year! Not even the hares who roam these hills! Yes, my dearest Equiworld friends, this year has earned its nickname - “the year of the Hare”. Have you heard about this new fad that's come to town? My owner says it is to bring "good fortune" to all, and for the Scottish people who are about to go to war it may help to give them hope too! He said the King himself has a Hare hanging in his castle and we may all see this strange tradition unfold this year!
New horizons, new journeys…
From a horse's perspective, it seems as though the whole world is constantly shifting. We might not be able to speak, but horses do understand what is happening! It's our way. You can always trust us, we never lie, our only truth comes from the feeling we share with other horses - from the stables of our owners and across our farms and the wider plains of Scotland - and even with the horses in England! My guess is we horses have been working alongside people for many centuries, and, it just seems a shame that one "King" thinks we should be attacking the "horses" of the other kingdom.
Here at Hayfield, our own adventures may continue in the next few years, as life has a habit of doing. For now, I wish all the best to my fellow Equiworld friends out there, and let us not forget that there are times for everything. But always keep an ear, and a nose, open to the changing winds! For me - 20 years has not changed this one thing; I'll keep on galloping and eating, until I grow old, my friend, until I can't any longer…
See you all soon!
Your friend Emma
