Hello there, dear readers! Emma here, your trusty grey draught mare, writing from my stall in the bustling little village of Hayfield near Aberdeen. It's a crisp November day, the air a little nippy, but I don't mind, I'm snuggled up in my thick winter coat. The stable boys have just brought me my usual breakfast – oats, a bit of hay, and a delicious apple.
This year has been quite the adventure, I must say. The year of our Lord, 1624 – it's been filled with big news, not just in the horse world, but around the world. I thought it would be fitting to tell you about some of the happenings from my own perspective, a little horse living through a year that's going to be etched in the history books.
But first, allow me to introduce myself! As I mentioned, I’m a grey mare, a draught horse, if you will, with a flowing white mane and tail that gets admired by many. It’s easy to mistake me for a silver mare sometimes, particularly in the dim lighting of the stable. You could say I am strong, kind, and a tad stubborn – it takes a good deal of resolve to move the hefty carts I pull!
Here in Hayfield, we live a pretty quiet life. But I spend my days hauling goods from the market, bringing supplies to the nearby town, or transporting villagers to visit family further afield. I know all the paths and dirt tracks in the area by heart. It's lovely work, and the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire are certainly a beautiful place to roam.
Anyway, enough about me – let's delve into 1624 and see what was going on in the wide world of horses and people!
From Hayfield to the Kings' Tables:
You wouldn't believe it, but the King himself, Charles I, held a grand feast back in February! It was in London, a place I haven’t had the chance to see myself, but rumour has it there was a mountain of roasted meat, fresh bread, and pies stacked higher than our stables! Apparently, the king was keen to display his power and wealth to his nobles and diplomats, and nothing says "wealth and power" quite like a grand feast, I reckon.
More Than Just a Beast of Burden:
While most people imagine us horses pulling carts and ploughing fields, you might be surprised to know there's more to our lives! For example, did you know people are now using horses for sport and recreation?
My friend, a fiery bay stallion named Hunter from the neighboring farm, has been training for a joust. The thrill of the joust, where knights clad in shining armour ride at full gallop towards each other, is quite a sight! You see, he's quite a nimble fellow, unlike yours truly who prefers the sturdy plod. And don’t even get me started on the majestic steeds used in these tournaments. Their graceful leaps and powerful strides are quite the sight.
The joust has gained immense popularity. It's almost like a festival - crowds gather in vast arenas, cheers erupt when the knights make a good strike, and I imagine it’s a whirlwind of excitement, noise, and adrenaline.
A New Breed Emerges:
Another exciting event, especially for us horses, happened just last month! It's a great relief to my feet to hear the talk around the stables – I don't need to explain how long hours can leave your hooves sore!
Word is there’s this brand new breed, called the Suffolk Punch. It seems this horse has been specifically bred for heavy-duty work, known for its incredible strength, good nature, and sturdy frame. Imagine a horse the size of a small bull, all black or brown with a sweet nature. They sound mighty strong, ideal for farming, hauling carts, and heavy lifting.
There is another one called the Clydesdale – the Scots version! Imagine, dear reader, the Clydesdale's size, the strength of its gait, and the gentle look in its intelligent eyes! Their strength makes our hard work, even my kind of heavy duty, look like a game of children's marbles!
Apparently, the Suffolk Punch is really getting some buzz in England – so it looks like this powerful breed will be working its way into our horse world for quite a while.
News from Across the World:
It isn’t just horses getting all the attention, though! 1624 has been quite a year globally too. We’re hearing of voyages by sea – they tell tales of sailing to unknown shores, to find new treasures, or new ways to trade! I heard a merchant telling someone how the ships now reach as far as China! And we heard the first ships returning with goods from the East Indies!
People tell tales of sailing ships filled with precious spices, fabrics, and other amazing wonders. I heard people are buying and selling these items all the way to Edinburgh! Who knows, one day I might be strong enough to help haul goods from the bustling streets of London to faraway Scotland. It is an exciting thought!
Horses are Helping Humanity:
Here’s one for you to think about, dear readers: You may know us horses as just beasts of burden, hauling, ploughing, or taking you on rides. However, there are people – a few, thankfully – who understand that we’re not simply work machines. We can do so much more!
Did you hear? Apparently, someone named Antoine de Pluvinel is writing books on horsemanship. He argues that we horses are more than just creatures to work, but also intelligent beings. He speaks about the importance of respect, kindness, and gentleness in working with horses. This sounds like a truly enlightened thought! It warms my heart to hear this, because I can tell you from experience, respect is a good starting point in building any relationship.
I feel happy just knowing that somewhere, a human is speaking for our needs and trying to improve our lives. It is a tiny glimmer of hope that someday, our true nature and intelligence will be appreciated more widely.
End of Year Reflections:
As the year of 1624 draws to a close, I can’t help but feel that a new era is beginning for us horses. Not just for the world but also for my kind. Yes, we’ll always be working hard, hauling carts and working on the farms, but there's also a growing sense that horses are more than just strong, obedient beasts. There's something more to us – intelligence, grace, and strength that transcends the typical picture of the working horse. We’re capable of so much more!
Perhaps in a year’s time, there will be another exciting development to share! We horses are, after all, a part of history just like any other creature or individual!
Till then, may your hay be plentiful, your oats sweet, and your stalls warm. I’m looking forward to writing to you next year with a new chapter of 1625, but for now, goodbye!
With heartfelt whinnies,
Emma
