Hello fellow equines! Emma here, a grey mare with a splash of white in my mane and tail, and a life filled with stories from the year 1556! For those of you who don't know me, I hail from Hayfield near Aberdeen, a place where the wind whips through the heather and the rolling hills echo with the neighs of my brethren. I'm twenty years old, and life in the 16th century is always full of surprises!
I'm starting a blog here on EquiWorld, hoping to share my experiences and perhaps learn from some of you lovely creatures too. Who knows, maybe some of you are even related!
So, what was 1556 like for us horses? Well, let me tell you! It was a year filled with plenty of work for the likes of me, though also full of joy and wonder.
First and foremost, we are essential to life in this age. Farming, transport, even war - we are the strong arms of our human friends. Here in Scotland, the main work for draught horses like me was in the fields, pulling plows through the earth to prepare for planting crops like barley and oats. Those strong Scottish farmers! You should see the strength they possess, sometimes I feel like I'm working as hard as they are!
Now, my life wasn't all heavy labor. We also participated in something called a "Horse Fair" in Edinburgh that year! Can you imagine a whole day devoted just to horses! Imagine the bustle, the smells, and the incredible amount of neighing. There were hundreds of horses and foals there, all showing off their skills and talents. It was quite the event! Some horses even took part in contests, and the proud winner received a beautiful new bridle - the finest craftsmanship! I, myself, was a little nervous being among so many other horses. The bustling was overwhelming for even my steadfast self. I felt proud, though, as I was put on display and many admiring people stroked my shiny grey coat.
Of course, there are not only celebrations and festivals in the life of a horse. I remember with a tinge of sadness that year in 1556 the terrible plague struck Europe. It's hard to explain what happened but many humans and horses got terribly sick and some didn't recover. It was a dark time. But through it all, our work continued.
The plague came and went, and with it, many changes in life. I felt those changes greatly! The year was a turning point for horse training, and many experts believed we should be handled gently, not harshly. This news travelled through whispers, passing from stable to stable and farm to farm like wind across the meadows. I learned quickly. Those old, hard methods, the whips and harsh commands - they are now frowned upon!
My own handler, a lovely young man named Thomas, always used a softer approach with me. He would reward me with gentle strokes, sweet oats, and encouraging words. I truly enjoyed our partnership.
1556 also saw a rise in interest in horsemanship! Some humans were even publishing books, called “Treatises on Horses” or something like that, that showed them how to ride us better! Apparently, it's no longer just about hauling plows but riding fast, with elegant grace and all that! A very fancy life for those of you who fancy such things. Thomas, even with the finest of tools and the newest books, had a knack for getting me to gallop fast with perfect grace - I’m the very picture of horsemanship when he’s guiding me!
A highlight of the year was Queen Mary's journey to the north. I’d heard she was a lovely lady who enjoyed the company of horses, so many people came to the Hayfield to meet her. Though she did not ride herself, she showed her love of our kind by complimenting our size, and giving them apples and even sweetbreads! This Queen knew how to impress!
That journey, as a matter of fact, brought about a change. I was lucky enough to be chosen to be one of the horses pulling the Queen's coaches, the same coach as those fine horses, from the English Court that Queen Mary has! Now, this was a grand honour, though to be honest, there was little work to do as she had a magnificent train of her people to guide us on our path. However, it was very thrilling and grand! I was also lucky to have a beautiful new coat of shiny tack and gleaming buckles on that journey! What a delight!
The horses in the royal stables all had shining coats and gleaming leather on their backs. What pride they exuded as they paraded in front of the Queen!
There are also smaller changes afoot! People started riding into villages in bigger numbers for social visits! This led to the need for more bridle paths, so our journey wasn’t simply along cart routes. Now, we horses found ourselves weaving through forests, leaping over ditches, and climbing mountains with ease!
But, I am an old fashioned sort. The things that bring me the most joy in this year, the real pleasures of being a horse, are those moments at the end of the day, when I lie down on the cool grass with Thomas gently brushing my coat while I relish the smell of the wild herbs growing around Hayfield. Then the gentle chirping of the crickets at sunset as Thomas tucks me into the stables for the night.
What a year it was! There is so much to discover in the world!
But as a draught horse in 1556, life is about community. Sharing our strength, providing for our families, and working with humans to create something good and useful for the world! It’s not a glamorous life for many horses. But I love it. It’s the life I know, the life I choose!
Well, that’s my experience! Now, I’d love to hear from you all! What was it like for you, my fellow equines, in the year 1556? Tell us about your adventures in the comments section!
Until next time,
Emma, a draught mare from Hayfield
