Hello, fellow equine enthusiasts! It’s Emma, your favourite grey draught mare from the rolling hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. I’m back again with another peek into our fascinating equine history. This week, I'm sharing my thoughts on the year 1657. Let me tell you, this year had its fair share of interesting developments, both here in Scotland and across the world. Buckle up, and get ready for a captivating journey through the eyes of a mare!
1657 wasn't exactly the most peaceful year, especially here in Scotland. We'd been embroiled in a big battle with England - they call it the English Civil War. But, that's a story for another day. Suffice to say, those tumultuous times had left their mark on our daily lives. Things were still unsettled, and uncertainty lingered like the morning mist in our fields.
Now, you might wonder what life was like for a working horse like me in such turbulent times. It wasn’t all gloomy, of course. We, the strong and sturdy horses, were absolutely essential. As a grey draught, my days were filled with pulling heavy loads, helping the farmers till their fields, and hauling goods across our rugged countryside. There was always work to be done, always a reason to feel a sense of purpose.
What did we haul? Mostly timber. You see, the Scots had a real knack for carpentry, and their homes were built with the finest oak. Every day, we helped transport planks and logs to workshops, often along difficult, muddy roads. Let me tell you, the cold, sharp winds of Aberdeen could truly nip at our noses, and I often dreamed of a warm stable on nights like these! But we persevered, because without us, there would be no houses for our human friends to call home.
As much as I enjoyed the familiar rhythm of farm life, I also found time for a little bit of adventure. It was the responsibility of our team to collect oats from a neighboring village every fortnight. And I loved the lively bustle of that village market, with all the colourful carts and happy people. We horses had our own social lives, too. I particularly enjoyed gossiping with my fellow steeds. Oh, those days in the market square, where I would share news of the latest farm gossip! And I remember the thrill of joining the other draught horses on long journeys to the distant fishing ports, transporting goods from landlocked Scotland to the coast. It was a joy to trot alongside our human companions, the sea air tangling in our manes, as we carried their precious wares to the bustling harbor towns.
But let me tell you, a big part of being a horse is always knowing that there are bigger stories, exciting and frightening things, unfolding in the wider world. You could sense the changes.
For instance, in 1657, a little far away in London, a man named William Lilly, who studied the stars, made a curious prediction. He predicted that horses would face terrible illnesses. What could he possibly mean? Luckily, this turned out to be one of those cases where human worries ended up unfounded.
But those times did seem to trigger some important changes within our world of horses. Some folks decided to improve horse breeding, as though the world itself demanded that we become more refined. New, finer breeds started to be cultivated, especially in places like England, France, and Spain.
And even if they didn't completely understand the whys and hows of those scientific methods, our human friends were becoming much more knowledgeable about our anatomy and how to care for us. There were improvements in horse-care, in their understanding of the importance of feeding, training, and even hygiene! These were huge developments, that felt truly different in our daily lives. You might be able to imagine, those times were all about exploring new ways of managing horse-related health, so it all seemed to contribute to a bit of an increase in the use of horses for transport, as well as their general presence in towns and cities.
Across the world, we could hear the rumble of history in the making.
There were even new, fancier methods of horsemanship emerging from far away places like Spain. Riding techniques like the "Manège," designed to enhance the grace and skill of the rider, were beginning to stir excitement and interest across the continent. They seemed a little fanciful for a workhorse like me, but they did make us a little more curious about how our lives would unfold as the years went by.
And in some corners of the world, the focus was on war and battle. Imagine my shock when I heard the tales from those who returned from distant lands. Some men would return with stories about amazing weapons like the ‘carbine’! These were long, rifles designed to be carried and fired on horseback. That's right! We were part of the world of war and weapons, and that thought truly terrified me.
Oh, the world in 1657 was brimming with exciting new inventions that affected our lives. This was especially true for the wealthy and noble folk, those who didn't have to depend on a horse like me to pull a plough. They, they started adopting saddles made from lighter materials, designed for speed and endurance.
Think about that, dear readers! They were thinking about how to make their rides faster! As the stories made their way through the village, we started to understand that this new passion for fast riding had made an exciting change in the world: The age of racing was truly upon us! The nobles started racing horses across special courses.
Just the thought of horses competing on purpose brought a certain energy to my oats in the mornings! It made us all feel more energetic, and gave us an exciting sense that something big was going on in the world of horses.
So, there you have it, my fellow equines. The year 1657: a turbulent, exciting, and, I daresay, a hopeful time for the horse kingdom. Though the shadows of war and conflict were always present, we remained resilient, contributing to society, and exploring new horizons alongside our human friends.
That’s all for this week, my dearest friends. Join me again soon for another journey through the exciting history of our equine lineage!
Until next time,
Your dear friend,
Emma
