Hello there, my fellow equines! Emma here, a 20-year-old Grey Draught mare, writing to you from my lovely paddock in Hayfield, near Aberdeen. The crisp Scottish air is nipping at my nose, and the morning dew glistens like a million tiny diamonds on the fields. It's a perfect morning to reflect on history, so pull up a bale of hay and settle in for a story from 1554 - a year that certainly wasn't dull for a horse like me.
It feels strange to think about it now, because the world of horses back then was very different from what it is today. We weren't all pampered pets with fluffy blankets and gourmet feed, though I must say, my current owner is wonderfully kind, and we get plenty of oats and barley in Hayfield! In 1554, most horses were considered "working class" equines, a vital part of a human's daily life. Imagine, we did it all – pulling ploughs in the fields, carrying heavy loads for transport, serving as battle mounts in war, even pulling carriages for those lucky enough to travel! It's exhausting just to think about it.
That year, I was busy assisting farmers with the planting of crops – mostly barley and oats, which they, of course, used to feed us in return! Life in the countryside was about hard work and knowing your place, which mostly involved a lot of pulling and sweating, and quite a bit of standing patiently. But honestly, I don’t mind - we were quite happy working side-by-side with our human companions, doing what was necessary to get through each season.
One day, during our break, a group of riders galloped through Hayfield, bringing exciting news that spread like wildfire among the horses in our fields. News that would shake the foundations of the world, even affecting the peaceful little world of the Hayfield farm. It seemed, Queen Mary I, known by her enemies as “Bloody Mary,” had been crowned Queen of England after the death of her half-brother, King Edward VI. He was, unfortunately, just a sickly child. Imagine - a Queen on the throne! It seemed so grand!
Now, you'd think that news wouldn’t affect our lives much. After all, we're just horses, right? But horses are crucial for the movement of people and supplies. We weren't only in charge of transporting the barley and wheat for baking – we also moved soldiers and materials, often right into the middle of conflict. Our human world was divided, and news like this often led to disputes, making my own work quite tense!
As a matter of fact, the Queen’s crowning began a period of uncertainty. Queen Mary's strong Roman Catholic beliefs were a stark contrast to the Protestantism championed by her father, King Henry VIII. The whole country seemed to be held captive by religious conflicts. And sadly, many were thrown in prison, even losing their lives, for practicing their faith!
I recall watching riders racing through Hayfield, carrying important messages for the Scottish nobles, who were, in a way, our “bosses.” Those messages sometimes resulted in preparations for battle! It made me wish horses could understand those written words scrawled on parchment. Maybe we could help settle those religious debates with our noble neighs! But all we could do was keep pulling, sweating, and grazing, just doing our horse duty!
However, despite the uncertainty of the times, the horses in the fields around Hayfield kept busy! 1554 wasn't a bad year, in a way. Winter was gentle, and the fields flourished with spring grass, leaving plenty of time to romp and play with the other horses, feeling the wind ruffle our manes. My friends and I had some lovely games of "hide-and-seek" in the field, and I always enjoyed a good dust bath in the middle of a warm day. You know how we love to be clean!
And don’t even get me started on the amazing gallops I enjoyed! It seemed like every day was an adventure! The local farmers and grooms used to gather us for "training gallops." Imagine: galloping with the wind whipping our manes and tails. I can still feel the energy and the excitement from all those galloping days.
My fellow equines, I can truly say that, even though 1554 was a time of great upheaval and religious conflicts in England, for the horses in the fields, it was a good year. The horses continued to work, helping with harvest, pulling plows and carts, carrying loads. We found contentment and happiness within the rhythm of our everyday routines. But even more than the comfort and food, I can truly say I miss the energy and the feeling of galloping, and the way those wild days made my mane fly! It was the true lifeblood of a young horse in that time.
