"The world of horses is a fascinating thing!" - Emma the grey draught mare.
Well, hello there, fellow equine enthusiasts! It’s your old friend Emma, back with another slice of life from my time here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen in bonnie Scotland. The year is 1475. And believe me, it’s a time of exciting changes – for horses and for humankind too!
Now, you may think a life in the year 1475 might seem rather simple compared to the comforts of modern horses like yourselves. No fancy stables with automated muckers, no shiny leather saddles, and forget about having a constant supply of apples and carrots.
But don't let that fool you! My life, whilst perhaps slightly less plush, is a rich tapestry of toil, loyalty, and even a touch of adventure!
For me, my days begin with a deep sigh (because, well, my bed is just straw), followed by the familiar clatter of hooves as I'm awakened by the sound of my farm family. Yes, I do say “family” because the folks here are like my own!
Every morning I’m harnessed alongside my trusty stablemates, usually a fine pair of Clydesdales named Douglas and Rowan. You see, in these parts, strong horses like us are crucial. We're the muscle behind the farm, powering the ploughs that carve out our livelihood from the earth.
Now, I can't say that pulling the plough through thick mud is a day at the races, but there's a certain rhythm and sense of accomplishment that comes with it. It’s the feel of the ground giving way beneath our hooves, the aroma of freshly turned soil – it's a symphony only a farm horse can appreciate!
Sometimes, instead of tilling the fields, our tasks take us beyond the farm boundaries. Last week, I found myself hauling a wagon laden with barley towards the local market. Aberdeen, you know, was quite a hub for trade back then. It felt thrilling to be part of this grand flow of goods.
One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that every era brings its own challenges and opportunities for us horses. Take these knights I've heard stories about, they have an insatiable appetite for travel! They ride their warhorses across continents, on missions that sound more like adventures! While I haven't been lucky enough to experience that sort of life myself, it’s exciting to think about the world out there beyond Hayfield!
Speaking of travel, I remember back when a young colt, I used to gallop alongside a spirited, dappled grey mare. Her name was Heather, and she was quite the looker! We'd graze the fields in the evening and she'd regale me with stories of distant lands and a mighty king named Edward. You see, she used to pull a cart for a royal merchant. Now, it sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it?
Of course, there are the joys of a farm life! You might think a simple carrot here or a bucket of oats there is a meagre reward compared to what some of you lucky modern horses might enjoy. But the sweet crunch of a carrot while you watch the sunset on the fields after a hard day's work… there's simply no comparison!
Oh, and did I mention that our master's family breeds foals! You know, you never forget your own first steps as a little one, so it's a special joy to witness the birth of a new foal! This year, we had a stunning filly, chestnut with a flash of white on her forehead! They named her Thistle, such a pretty name. She is, of course, a cherished member of the stable family, and it's my role, you see, to keep the youngster safe and under my wing. We all take turns looking after her. We might have rough hooves, but we know how to be gentle too.
Every day holds something new. And sometimes, those new things aren’t all sweetness and light.
There was this one time - let me tell you, I'd never seen a storm like it! The rain came down so hard, and the wind, it whipped across the field like a raging beast. I was tied up in my stable, my mane whipping against the wall as the wind raged. I felt scared, let me tell you! But you know what? Douglas and Rowan, my fellow draught horses, they made me feel brave again. We’re strong, you see, more than just muscle – we’re a family, we look after each other.
And then there were those other unsettling events, far from the quiet sanctuary of our Hayfield stable. They happened in a country beyond our hills and fields, beyond Scotland, in a land called England. The king, they say, is dead! Now that has sent a shock through the whole country. What will the future hold? How will all this change things for us horses, for humans too? We just have to wait and see, I guess.
Here at Hayfield, life goes on with its gentle rhythm, each day mirroring the others. The seasons come and go. Autumn paints the world in rich golds and browns before surrendering to the soft touch of winter’s first snowflakes.
You might think my life seems very simple, but to me, there's a beauty in its familiarity, a joy in the everyday rhythm of things.
We are strong and tireless, but we are also gentle and patient, always learning from the earth and the skies above. This is the way of the horse, my friends.
And that, dear reader, is life in 1475. As always, feel free to share your stories from the modern world of horses. And who knows, maybe one day I'll even tell you about what happened in that distant country where the king died and what changed forever after that!
Till then, may your oats be plentiful, and your pastures green!
Emma
(Hayfield, Scotland - 1475 )
EquiWorld Blog post end. *
