Ahoy, fellow equines! It's Emma here, your grey mare from the bonnie hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland, with another update for the Equiworld history blog. Today, I’m whisking you back to 1618, a year filled with a whole lotta bustle, a few skirmishes, and – bless their souls – plenty of opportunity for a good old-fashioned oat snack!
Life in the Fields:
You see, life as a draught mare in Hayfield in 1618 is pretty much the same as it's always been – hard work but honest work, a life full of routine, with enough oats and barley to keep us strong. Our days start early. Dawn is our signal, and then we’re off, harnessed to the heavy plows, turning the earth for the next harvest. It's tough work, sure, but it’s a life that brings a kind of satisfaction. The fresh, sweet smell of the earth, the warmth of the sun on our coats, the sight of the barley shoots poking their heads through the soil…it fills a mare's heart with contentment, you know?
We’re a close-knit group in the fields, all the horses here, both sturdy steeds like myself and the fleet-footed geldings who pull the carts for the local tradesmen. There’s a camaraderie, a sort of unspoken understanding that forms amongst us – a kind of horse kinship. And who knows, maybe some of us even catch a glimpse of our reflection in a stream and say to ourselves, “Not bad for a girl who's worked all her life! My grey coat is still shining.”
The Kings' Horses:
Now, even us Scottish horses couldn’t escape the echoes of events that are happening all over England and even further away – though I wouldn't know that much since I can’t read like some fancy horses in the south. The year 1618 has seen a king’s passing, King James I, if you can believe it. I was a young filly when I remember his knights on their handsome steeds riding through the hills to visit our local lord. It was all very grand with the clanging armour, but they had much less time for oats than they did for chatting about battles and royalty!
But England now has a new king, King Charles, though folks are already talking about unrest and dissatisfaction brewing across the border. There's talk about new rules and regulations that folks aren’t taking too kindly to. They speak about things called "ship money" and “purveyance”, but that’s above my mane – horses, even those in a royal stable, don’t concern themselves with such politics!
Travelling to Edinburgh
Sometimes we get a chance to stretch our legs and get out of the fields. For example, this year I got to haul the cart to Edinburgh for a month. That’s a big journey for a horse, but my farmer needed supplies for his winter preparations. I saw so much – grand houses, bustling markets, even a beautiful white castle atop a hill! I met some city horses who weren't as accustomed to working as we were but boasted all about their lives. And of course, every evening, after a long day's work, it was a delight to indulge in a pile of delicious oats and hay! Ah, city life! I certainly tasted luxury there – that’s why, for all the talk of a bit of rebellion brewing, you can be sure the king’s horses in England are well looked after, as they need to be. A well-fed horse is a loyal one, right?
Horse News from Beyond the Highlands:
Of course, we do get a little bit of news of other happenings in the horse world from our humans. We learn about magnificent steeds and beautiful mares. And even in Hayfield, stories travel on the wind of war in other lands, places like Europe, with tales of steeds bravely serving their masters. These stories fuel the fire of excitement in the stables – though I admit, our life here in Scotland is far more peaceful.
As for me, though, nothing gives me more joy than the rolling green fields and the feeling of the sun on my back, the warmth and companionship of my fellow horses. It’s a simple life but a good one, wouldn’t you agree, fellow horses?
Until next time, stay neigh-vellous!
Emma Hayfield, Scotland
