Hello fellow equines and equestrian enthusiasts! Emma here, a grey mare from Hayfield, just a wee bit north of Aberdeen. The wind's whipping through my white mane today, but the sun is warm and it’s a perfect day for a gallop! It seems 1649 is shaping up to be quite a year, full of change and exciting new happenings in the horse world, and I wanted to share it all with you!
This year is a time of transition for me personally too. As a strong draught horse, I am learning a new life as a coach horse. Can you imagine? From hauling heavy loads to gracefully carrying passengers along winding roads! It's a privilege to be part of such a beautiful and purposeful system. The sleek coaches with their polished wheels and intricate designs, they really do turn heads. But more importantly, they allow us horses to play a vital role in the changing world.
Now, about that changing world! We’ve got news coming in from across the seas. It’s not all peace and rosy pastures, as they say, though the recent battles are over in England, there’s still a sense of unrest that echoes throughout our world. The year started off with a bit of a shock, with Charles I, the king, having his head chopped off! Goodness gracious, who would have imagined such a thing?
Of course, this wouldn’t have affected me directly here in Scotland, not until Oliver Cromwell, that rather fiery fella, decided to come knocking. It wasn't a happy meeting, mind you. The Battle of Dunbar was a bit too much excitement for my liking. But as always, horses were crucial, and my brethren bravely carried their riders into the heart of the fighting. As they say, “never let them see you sweat.” And bless our equine hearts, we horses never do!
Now, with the King of England gone, the entire kingdom has turned into what they call a Commonwealth, meaning that there's no king, only a governing council. A very clever man called Henry Ireton is leading the charge for the army in Scotland. I hear whispers about a whole new cavalry regiment being formed under him! They say the cavalry horses are leaner and quicker, like hunters rather than our workhorse kind. Exciting, I tell you! Who knows, maybe we’ll even see some of our youngsters working in such positions soon.
Speaking of young horses, breeding has been a fascinating spectacle! New horses from exotic places like Barbary are being introduced, with their distinct traits adding to the horse lineage. My good friend Daisy, a filly born last year, was quite mesmerized by a stunning stallion brought over from there. A true Arabian with silky coat and spirited temperament! I'll bet those fiery traits will make their way through the generations in fascinating ways.
The horse trade remains busy, particularly across the English Channel, as steeds from all over Europe come and go, making our equine world a kaleidoscope of colors, sizes, and talents. It’s not just about warfare either. You know, the nobility are always keen to show off their steeds and take part in hunts. The King’s hounds are being put through their paces at Hampton Court this year. And let's not forget the noble gentlemen participating in grand tournaments and the ever-popular horse racing competitions. The thrill of those hooves hitting the ground as horses surge forward in a flurry of motion never fails to get the blood pumping.
Even with all the political tumult, the world is still celebrating the beauty of our horse brethren. New and exciting forms of art, especially in the portrait world, are focusing on us! My neighbour's brother, a stable boy, recently acquired a lovely engraving depicting a galloping war horse. A perfect study in motion! There's just something special about capturing the pure, raw energy of a horse through art, isn’t there? I often think how lovely it would be to be immortalized in such a way. It would be a fitting tribute to a long life of dedicated service.
On a more mundane note, 1649 brings its usual seasonal routine of harvests. We’re hard at work on the farm hauling grain, but this year, the barley harvest in my part of the Highlands is going particularly well. It fills our grain stores with plump, full kernels for a hearty winter feed, leaving me to whinny with excitement at the delicious bounty to come!
I truly hope you enjoyed this peek into the horse world of 1649 from my perspective. Next time, I'll be sure to update you on the developments here at Hayfield, from the arrival of a new foalie to the adventures we have with the local children learning to ride.
Until then, happy galloping and may your saddles be comfortably padded, fellow equines!
Emma
