Good morning, dear readers! It's Emma here, a grey draught mare from the beautiful, wild Highlands of Scotland. This week, I’m taking you on a journey back in time – all the way to 1541, a year filled with dramatic changes for both humans and horses!
I'm sure you're all familiar with those legendary creatures who brought the Celts to our beloved island, who taught the Romans about courage and resilience, and who served as noble companions throughout history? That's right – we are talking about horses! But 1541 was an eventful year even for us. We were, quite literally, at the centre of it all!
Imagine the life of a mare in Hayfield, near Aberdeen in 1541. The Highlands, though breathtaking, were still rugged and challenging. Our lives were simple – hard work, plenty of fresh air, and a deep bond with our human families. For me, every day was an adventure.
One of my favorite parts of being a working mare was hauling goods on a cart. Imagine, dear readers, the feel of sturdy, wooden wheels against cobbled streets. I could feel the vibrations through my legs as we lumbered through bustling market squares, each hooffall a gentle rhythm against the rough stones. Every cart we pulled was a story. Sometimes, it was full of wool from the local weavers, sometimes it was barley from the harvest, and sometimes, it was full of new tools to help our farmers thrive.
Now, I may not have understood the bigger picture then, but even back in those days, there was an air of uncertainty hanging around. The humans whispered about something called the "Rough Wooing," a political power struggle that threatened to disrupt the peaceful life we had come to know. My dear old human, Hamish, used to mutter things like "They’d rather fight over crowns than look after their people, the lot of them!". I'd lean my head against his hand and whinny softly, trying to comfort him.
One chilly day in spring, we were walking towards the harbour at Aberdeen. As we drew closer to the docks, the smell of salty sea air filled our nostrils. A ship was leaving that day, I could sense it. On the dock, my human was loading barrels onto his cart – these were meant for a journey far, far away, across the sea to England, for the court of Henry VIII. That day, I felt a pang of sadness, like I knew this journey would change things forever.
And indeed it did. The 'Rough Wooing' became a reality, bringing unrest and bloodshed. I learned of battles fought and fought again, with humans facing humans on fields bathed in crimson, all for the sake of power. In the quiet of the fields, far from the clamour of war, we horses tried to understand the senselessness of it all. Why couldn't the humans simply live in peace, each enjoying their own land and prosperity? We, horses, had no such ambitions – all we wanted was a good feed of oats, a strong stable, and the trust of our human companions.
And still, we remained steadfast in our duty. I carried more than my share of wounded soldiers back from the battles. My hooves became the rhythm of life in war, the heavy thud of resilience and endurance. I carried food for those who needed it most, bringing a sense of peace and stability to a land in turmoil. The humans were troubled by the conflict, but we, horses, persevered with our usual steadfast grace. We carried their burdens, both metaphorical and literal, serving as their strength in a time of immense uncertainty.
But despite the tumultuous times, there was a thread of optimism. During these times, the "horse trade" – the practice of buying, selling, and exchanging horses – thrived. You see, war was both a blessing and a curse for us. Even though the battlefield was no place for a gentle mare like me, our kind was in high demand. We provided the very strength on which armies depended. So, my human Hamish was able to keep our bellies full and our coats sleek – all because of the high demand for horses across the kingdoms.
In 1541, even in the midst of war and upheaval, there was a sense of innovation in the equestrian world, too! A breed of horses from across the sea, called "Turks," arrived in Scotland. Now, dear readers, you should know that these Turks were something else altogether! Not your usual Scottish stallions, mind you! Their legs were long, and their build, slender, as if they were made for speed and agility. The humans told stories about how these horses could race across plains with lightning speed, able to outrun even the swiftest wolves. I can tell you – I wouldn't want to go against one of them in a race!
Of course, as you might expect, we Scottish horses were sceptical. We loved our Highland brethren, robust and sturdy, strong and dependable. We questioned whether these new arrivals could truly compete with us, the horses of the highlands.
Yet, these Turks did something extraordinary. Their spirit, their eagerness to learn, their determination to become one with their riders – they truly captivated the humans, and their fame spread like wildfire. People everywhere, from the far reaches of the highlands to the heart of Aberdeen, wanted to see these amazing animals. They brought with them new knowledge and practices, which changed the way humans looked at horses forever. The "Turk" craze, as I'm sure you'll agree, revolutionized the horse world in ways nobody could have foreseen!
Even with all this commotion going on, life for horses continued much as it always had. We pulled carts, ploughed the fields, and served as loyal companions to our humans. I even had a chance to try a bit of “light work” – carrying a human on my back to the top of a hill for a bit of “riding” – but I prefer the feeling of wheels beneath my hooves, rather than human hands on my flanks. But still, I found a certain charm to it all!
All in all, the year 1541 was a momentous year for horses, one full of contradictions, anxieties, and hope. Though the human world around us was in upheaval, we, the horses, continued to hold strong and remain steadfast. We were the anchor, the sturdy back, the heartbeat of their lives. The world was changing fast, yet we were certain, just like our own heartbeat, our presence in this world would always endure.
And that’s it from me for today, dear readers. Until next time, remember to be kind to your fellow horses, enjoy a good helping of oats, and let your spirits soar!
Yours,
Emma
