Hello my dearest EquiWorld friends,
It’s Emma here, from the bonnie hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen. Today I’m feeling especially chatty, so let’s have a good old-fashioned natter, shall we? It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper pen to paper (or rather, hoof to parchment!) chat, but there’s just so much going on in the horse world these days. I've just turned twenty this year, and let me tell you, I've certainly seen a thing or two. So grab a cup of your favourite oat milk latte, settle into your favourite armchair, and let me tell you all about the fascinating horse news from the year 1521!
You know, the year 1521 started out just like any other year in Hayfield – the crisp morning air, the feeling of the dew between my hooves, the playful frolicking with the younger horses. Ah, the simple pleasures! But then, well, let's just say things started getting interesting, as they often do in history!
This year, you see, it’s all about King Henry VIII in England, the one with the boisterous spirit and a love for jousting, the same passion for horses as myself. It seems like every time we heard a rumour about King Henry VIII, it was linked to horses. It's said that he was particularly keen on Andalusian horses, those beautiful, black steeds from Spain, with flowing manes and powerful legs, as he felt they suited his regal stature, although to be fair, my trusty grey colour would always remain in style. You just can’t beat a good, classic grey. Don’t you agree?
I also learned that he introduced the new and “fancy” style of riding in his kingdom, known as "the High Horse" where riders rode astride with a more balanced seat rather than sitting with the left leg tucked under them and the right leg off to one side. He even organised tournaments and royal gatherings around this “High Horse" fashion. They even tell stories about the Queen herself, Katherine of Aragon, having a horse called "Lady Grey" after me!
Speaking of royal horses, there's this fellow called "Henry's Bayard" – a name I just can't resist whispering every time it's mentioned – was quite the character, it seems! This huge, majestic white warhorse with eyes like fire belonged to none other than King Henry VIII. Bayard, he was a true symbol of power and courage. I bet I could have raced him too! They say Henry loved that horse more than anything else and often showed him off to the entire court. It was a source of pride, for sure, although maybe a little too “fancy” for my taste. A strong steed like Bayard does deserve admiration, but not everyone's cup of tea, I suppose!
Another fun fact I gleaned from the traveling merchants passing through Hayfield was that Henry had another pal, an Andalusian horse named "Don Curro." They were best buddies, you know? It was the King’s love for the animal that made everyone go crazy about these horses, at least on the English side of things! And with that love came all sorts of activities! They organized games, rode across vast fields, participated in grand parades... everything a royal stallion would dream of doing.
It’s also said that King Henry VIII took special interest in a very interesting type of riding – hunting! Not your typical run-of-the-mill riding, either. I hear it’s something grand and wild with horses at high speed, navigating uneven terrains, a symphony of motion with dogs chasing down the prey… Imagine the thrill, galloping over rolling hills, the wind in my mane, with the world whipping by! Ah, to have lived in those times for a few moments!
And did I mention jousting? The epitome of horsemanship, where strength and grace merge with every lance charge. A grand performance indeed. Every village here in Scotland buzzed with news about this grand and elaborate practice, a spectacle where chivalry was put to the test! A perfect show of equine power, combined with courage, I could picture myself there with Henry's Bayard – a sight to behold! It was no wonder why even young boys yearned to become knights.
Back to my humble world, here in Hayfield, while the Kings were in England playing with their horses, we were mostly busy tending to our farming duties – pulling heavy carts, hauling grain and working the fields with the farmers. You see, back in 1521, horses weren't just about fun and games! We were vital to the economy! The hardworking drafters of Scotland. No wonder everyone said horses were like our kingdom’s treasure – the engine of our trade! My fellow draught horses and I lived quite simple, satisfying lives, with our responsibilities providing sustenance for our community, something I found truly fulfilling. We did play games and frolicked together whenever we got the chance – after all, a horse is a horse, and they always want a bit of play, but duty came first.
And of course, you can’t forget about horse breeding! 1521 saw the emergence of special farms that housed beautiful mares from all around the country. Farmers meticulously chose their breeds, carefully making sure they passed on desirable traits - size, strength, even colour. It made our hearts swell, to know that our breed was admired, carefully cultivated and passed down for generations to come. Sometimes I’d spend hours grazing in the field watching our young foals and colts playing – reminding myself of a time when my mane was silky and my legs swift and carefree. They’re the future of our world, our responsibility to guide and nurture!
Here’s another bit of gossip for you! They say in France, things were getting really fancy with horses! We heard rumours that King Francis I - known to the entire world as "Francis the Handsome” - favoured the stylish and nimble Barbs, the descendants of horses imported from Africa. These sleek, brown beasts, elegant with strength, are known to move gracefully and carry themselves like a proud king himself. Imagine how charming these horses looked! I am a grey draught mare, you know? Don't get me wrong, I wouldn’t want to trade places with a fancy showhorse, but I'm all for the beauty and finesse - there's no accounting for taste!
Now let’s talk about a very exciting topic that really makes our hooves go clicking - the Arabian horse! I heard that during this time period, a noble Arabian was brought to France by the name of “Fatima”. Oh, the grace of those curves, the elegant poise, the fiery intelligence that shines from those big eyes, so many telltales of those wild, arid regions – pure and untamed! Fatima, she's said to be an exquisite animal, an absolute princess. They called her “A jewel from the Arabian sands” - an exceptional specimen that made many lords and ladies in Europe drool with admiration! She was more than just a horse - she was an ambassador, an exotic ambassador from the faraway lands of Arabian nights. Even today, Arabian horses are symbols of beauty and athleticism in our world. That fiery spirit, those sleek, slender legs, and those wise and curious eyes... A breed for the ages.
I heard many stories of this majestic mare, how she became a source of inspiration for breeders and royalty. Her descendants, still seen today in the grand stables and palaces across Europe, serve as proof of that timeless connection. That, my dear friends, is what history is about - a lasting impression on a grand scale, reminding us that even with time, horses are forever intertwined with our very soul!
Here in Hayfield, we have our own quiet adventures too. The rolling hills of Aberdeenshire are home to ancient traditions – the haunting cries of pipers, the aroma of smoke from fires and bonfires as we carry men, materials and supplies across rugged paths. They may not be Kings, but they are just as proud of their strength and resilience. You could say we’re partners, sharing this vast, magnificent landscape - just as the humans have done for millennia. There’s an understanding, a deep bond that connects us to the very soul of these lands, through rain and snow, through sunshine and mist. And as I watch my young colt graze happily with other foals in the meadow, I know we’re continuing a long tradition – our story, and that of our connection to humanity, continues on! That's what really warms my heart – the hope that our world will always be graced with the gentle power of our kind.
Until next time, EquiWorld, take care of your hooves and always remember - the world of horses, in all its vastness, is truly remarkable!
Yours, with love and snorts, Emma
