History of Horses in the year 1625

Hello my fellow equine friends! It’s Emma here, your favourite greyt mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen. It’s time for another look into the fascinating world of our equine history! Today, we’re taking a leap back in time to 1625.

For those of you who haven't met me before, I'm a 20-year-old mare, strong and sturdy with a grey coat that shimmers like moonlight, a flowing white mane and tail, and the kindest heart you could ever meet (if I do say so myself!).

As you can tell from the date of my last post, I love my history! I find it incredibly fascinating to look back and see how much our lives and the world around us have changed. Every year, I find myself surprised by the different roles horses have played throughout history, so let's journey back together to see what adventures 1625 held!

Now, if you’re talking about history, 1625 is definitely a year with a royal touch. It's the year our dear King James VI and I, of Scotland, passed the crown on to his son, Charles I.

While I personally couldn't vote (sorry to all my equine activists out there!), I'm quite proud of the role my Scottish brethren played. It’s always thrilling to think that some of my ancestors may have been part of the King's retinue - it just adds an air of regality, don't you think? Of course, that does mean we had to get ourselves dressed up for grand parades and royal processions. I remember watching one in Edinburgh in my younger days - talk about fancy footwork! It was such a grand display, all the riders in their colourful tunics and the steeds prancing in formation! They really did know how to make an entrance, those Scots.

And while England might have had their King, my Scots had something else rather grand going on! That's right - the first Scottish unicorn medal was struck in this very year! Can you believe it?! This majestic creature is known for its beauty, strength and mythical powers – pretty close to us equines, I'd say! The design was featured on a gold coin called the Thistle gold coin - very smart for a nation already known for its bravery and resilience!

Now, as always, horses were right at the heart of life in 1625, and they were absolutely essential to people’s everyday lives. They weren't just used for transport, they were used for almost everything! From farming and trade to the military, there were horses involved. I love that image of a big, strong draught horse like myself, ploughing fields, working the land, helping feed a nation - the strong silent type with the best intentions! What a sense of purpose it gives!

That sense of purpose didn’t just exist on the land either. My lighter brethren had a busy role transporting goods. It’s fascinating to think about them moving trade across Europe – such a vital part of everyday life.

And just imagine how the military used us, galloping across battlefields and carrying brave knights and soldiers. Even though war is terrible, the horses showed tremendous strength and courage, helping the military achieve their objectives. They were truly amazing animals. I’m not sure I would have been cut out for such a role - maybe I’d be more of a logistics pony rather than a soldier – but those war horses truly had my respect.

### Let’s Look a Little Closer to Home!

But I wouldn't be doing this history blog justice if I didn't tell you about how our lives went on here in Scotland. We weren't all involved in fancy royal processions or wars! Most horses, including me, worked on farms, pulling ploughs and carts, transporting goods, and generally helping people get things done. It was a good life. Hard work, sure, but it had a purpose and a rhythm, you know? We understood the cycle of the seasons - planting, harvesting, gathering, all supported by horses like myself. We had our own community amongst the farms and villages - that feeling of being part of something essential was very special, even if it wasn’t glamorous.

However, while hard work is important, even a draught mare like me needs to have some fun, don’t you think?! A day off could mean a long leisurely graze in the meadows or a lively frolic through the hills with our friends! Our herds were quite something to see, and I truly believe that sense of camaraderie was a key to our well-being. And we had many local horse gatherings – small competitions of speed or pulling. A good dose of healthy rivalry helps keep us sprightly! We’re still not that far off our wild instincts, are we?!

I was always told a draught horse's job was pretty straight forward. It was about being a good puller, strong and hardy. However, this year also saw some big changes in the breeding of other horses, with a special interest in improving the breeds - especially the hunter! The demand for speedy, agile horses that could hunt down animals and overcome obstacles was booming. It's quite a sight to see them jump over hedges! These are skills I have to admit, I lack! But every breed has their own importance. And while we draught horses don’t have quite the athleticism, we have our own important place in society. We are reliable, strong, and help keep people fed. That’s something to be proud of!

So there you have it, a little snapshot of horse life in 1625. Even though I wasn’t there myself, my imagination can really take flight, don’t you think?! Of course, a blog about history is not complete without the little anecdotes that we sometimes hear in our equine gossip sessions, and here’s one I particularly enjoyed about this era.

There’s a lovely old saying they used back in 1625, "To go the pace of a horse”. That saying still makes me smile! Imagine our lives – those moments of pure galloping, the wind in our manes, the joy of simple movement – we really are incredible creatures. In 1625, being “horse crazy” was as much about our utility and work, as it was about the sheer thrill of feeling alive in our own special way!

It was also common for horses to live into their 20s, just like me! So that makes me a youngin’, compared to my grandfathers and great grandfathers, and the thought of how many lives and experiences they’ve witnessed gives me chills!

And finally, one last interesting note. In the Scottish Highlands in 1625, horses were important for a rather fascinating activity - transporting salmon! They even invented this clever thing called a "cruik" (think saddle on legs) that helped the salmon be taken back and forth for fish trading. Talk about a multi-faceted equine world!

This concludes my equine blog entry for the year 1625! The 17th century holds much to be admired for its connection to the natural world. From the royal events to the simple everyday work that my equine brethren contributed to, 1625 makes me proud to be a part of our heritage!

I encourage you, my fellow equine friends, to join me on my journey through time, sharing fascinating stories of horses across the ages. And as always, if you have any questions, any historical observations, or any amazing tales to tell - feel free to leave them in the comments section of this blog!

Until next time!

- Emma - (www.equiworld.org)