Hello everyone, it's Emma here, a grey draught mare with a white mane and tail, writing to you from the rolling green hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen. I've turned twenty this year, which in horse years means I'm a young filly with still lots of sprightly strength and stamina to spare.
1558 – the year we're in – feels like a quiet time. The world seems to be breathing in, taking a deep breath of fresh air and rolling back the edges of change, at least from my perspective up here in Scotland. I sense things are a-stirring elsewhere in the world, a whisper of excitement, perhaps some kind of shift, but here on our farm, it’s still all about the daily work and the simple rhythm of life.
It’s harvest season and my hooves are still sore from hauling the weighty wagon across the fields. There’s something poetic about it all, the swaying golden stalks of barley and the pungent scent of fresh-cut wheat, the cool evening breeze carrying the sounds of crickets chirping their goodnight chorus as we lumber back to the barn. I miss my young foals already, sent off to other farms to help their own owners.
Every morning, I wake up to the call of the cock and the scent of warm hay, eagerly anticipating my daily ration of oats. After breakfast, the farmers, with their strong hands and kind faces, harness me up, ready for the day. It's hard work but it's also fulfilling.
Today, I heard talk of Queen Mary dying, but her daughter, a young queen called Elizabeth, took over. That's all the men spoke of, back at the barn after work. They all say Elizabeth will be a good queen, kind and wise like her father, and that a good future is promised under her rule. A peaceful future is all we want. A peaceful future means more hay, more oats, more rest and play under the sun with the other horses in the field.
Though quiet here in Hayfield, the news from elsewhere speaks of exciting times in the horse world! Did you know that the famous warhorse “Bucephalus”, the favourite mount of Alexander the Great, was immortalized through bronze sculptures in Persia, a vast kingdom south of Greece? I hear it's a sight to behold. And it's inspiring, for me to think that horses like us, just working and living our lives, have been an inspiration for great art for centuries.
I read too, thanks to a farmer's son who sometimes visits me at the barn, that the Andalusian, a beautiful horse known for its grace and spirit, was gaining favour amongst the European nobles. From my small window into the wide world, it sounds like these horses are being praised for their beauty and courage. It fills me with a pride that all of us horses share in our work and contributions. We play a role, however small or large, in history's grand narrative.
In the realm of horse racing, news has arrived of the popularity of the newly formed Newmarket racecourse, the first official racetrack in England. It is said that people from across the country travel just to watch these swift-footed steeds compete, vying for the glory of victory! The very thought of racing thrills me, a rush of exhilaration in my hooves, yet I also wonder about the sheer power of speed that those magnificent horses must hold within their veins. It makes me think of our own young foal, Cleo, who loves to gallop around the meadows and leaps over any fence in her path! I worry for her but also marvel at her daring spirit.
Despite all this change and growth across the world, my world here remains one of quiet routine, and this I treasure. This year, I will continue to do what I was born to do - to be strong and useful, a loyal and tireless companion to those who need me most. To know that I am playing a part in shaping the landscape, nourishing our families, and sharing my life with those who love me, is a great satisfaction, even if I'm not winning races or featured on bronze sculptures!
Sometimes, while working in the field, I pause, close my eyes, and breathe deeply in the crisp Scottish air. I let my thoughts drift, to all the horses around the world, those like me working diligently and those that are running free across vast plains, and for a moment I feel a deep sense of belonging. A unity of purpose, all of us, as we weave our stories into the grand tapestry of life, every kick and gallop and snort.
Join me again soon for another adventure from my world of horses. Until then, stay strong and steady, dear readers.
