Welcome to my Equiworld blog, fellow equines! I’m Emma, a 20-year-old grey draught mare with a heart full of stories and a love for all things horsey!
Today I’m stepping back in time, all the way to the year 1514. It feels like ages ago, and yet some things about the horse world haven’t changed a bit, while others seem like distant dreams.
My journey begins in Hayfield, near Aberdeen, in Scotland. The crisp mountain air whips through my white mane, making my coat shine even brighter. Our little community of horses is as close as a family – we pull the carts, help farm the fields, and play amongst the rolling green hills, enjoying the camaraderie and the fresh smell of the wind-blown heather.
This year, 1514, feels full of energy! You see, I was born the same year that King James IV, a man known for his love of horses and falconry, decided to raise the Royal Studs at Falkland Palace in Fife. You can imagine how proud all the mares felt - a chance to birth some royal horses, to pass on our strength and resilience to the royal lines. The very air felt charged with anticipation as King James's stable hands searched for the best of the best. He even sent an expedition to Arabia for top Arabian horses! I just hope one day I'll get to travel that far... though honestly, I prefer our little village, where I've lived my entire life, close to my family, the familiar scent of the moorland, and the clear calls of the curlews overhead.
There's also an air of excitement in the wider world, even as far as Hayfield. King James himself is said to have organised a huge, lavish tournament – the sort that makes the heart gallop faster just to think about! Hundreds of noblemen and women gather to watch displays of strength and skill. Knights clash on horseback, horses rear and neigh, banners fly - it's said they can be seen for miles! Such a show! I dream of being part of the spectacle one day, a sleek, proud mare drawing the coach of some royal guest.
I know we’re all different, just like humans. Some horses are born to carry burdens and work hard in the fields, others to roam free in the mountains, and still others destined to become champions on the field of battle, just like those valiant steeds in King James’s tournaments!
But 1514 brought some challenging news too – a war had broken out in Ireland! While we horses, in our little corner of Hayfield, live with our noses to the ground and hearts filled with the joy of our everyday lives, it is clear that far away battles leave their mark. War always demands swift, dependable horses. Our skills, like running with agility and pulling wagons with unyielding strength, suddenly feel far more valuable than ever.
The human riders I work with - farmers, merchants, and some noblemen, with their heavy cloaks and iron swords - whisper stories of brave steeds carrying soldiers into battle, and then, when their time is done, returning to their homesteads with mournful riders, carrying their burden of loss. They tell stories of the Irish King, Brian O'Neill, a man of the people, with the courage and determination of his people's horse.
While these tales sometimes trouble our slumber, we still celebrate our work. We're part of this world, woven into the fabric of it - our strength allows farmers to cultivate the land, our stamina keeps trade alive, and our gentleness allows merchants to travel safely. We horses, with our courage and endurance, are crucial to the success of people and places.
Though some days feel challenging – a bit more rain, or the wind playing tricks with my mane, even a rough field that slows down my stride – the world of 1514 has a special flavour to it. It’s a time when nature, with all its hardships, holds us in a powerful, awe-inspiring embrace, a time when the people in our small corner of Scotland work alongside their faithful equines to create a life worth living, and a time when, in faraway lands, horses still are, and always will be, a symbol of power, determination, and a sense of freedom that lifts our spirits every time we gallop across the windswept moors.
Stay tuned, my dear equi-friends, for I’ll be sharing more stories of horses in this remarkable year!
Remember to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on the history of horses in 1514, what excites you most, and what challenges we’ve faced together!
Until next time!
Your friendly Grey Draught Mare,
Emma
