Hello fellow equines and equine enthusiasts!
Emma here, a proud grey draught mare from Hayfield, near Aberdeen, Scotland. You may be surprised to see my name here on Equiworld. It’s not every day you find a horse posting online, right? Well, this is the age of exploration, even for us horses! And today, I want to tell you all about what happened in the world of horses, well, from my perspective anyway, in the year 1666.
As you might have guessed from my breed and the place I call home, I'm no city dweller. I spent most of my days pulling the heavy carts and ploughs that kept my farmer’s fields healthy and productive. This wasn’t always easy work, especially in the colder months, but I love the land, and there’s a quiet contentment in knowing you play a vital part in keeping things running smoothly.
It was in this year of 1666, though, that a terrible tragedy unfolded in London, far from our tranquil meadows. You see, the rumour mill in our stable was alive with talk of a fire that swept through the city like a fierce wind. They said the blaze started in Pudding Lane, devouring houses and businesses, and that people were trapped, frightened, and desperate. Many were calling it "The Great Fire of London", a name that, as the weeks passed, seemed to resonate even amongst the fields and hills of Scotland.
Naturally, as horses, we were central to the whole affair. Our strength was used to haul water to fight the blaze, and our swiftness aided the delivery of food and supplies to those who had lost their homes. The London horses, even the finest thoroughbreds, worked day and night. A group of farm horses even traveled from Kent to London, brave creatures who didn't even know the streets.
I read somewhere that one poor foal, caught in the confusion of the fire, was separated from his mare and taken to a place called Smithfield Market. There, the humans in London - kind hearts, for the most part - held a public auction, selling his milk for the price of 5 shillings. Imagine, our foal's nourishment becoming a commodity! The good news is, the story doesn't end there. A generous man, John Clayton, a haberdasher, bought the milk for 5 shillings, then sent the money back to the auctioneer, requesting the foal be brought to his home in Islington! The little creature ended up saved by the very human cruelty he’d experienced.
All of this made me think deeply about how our lives as horses, even in times of tragedy, can play a crucial part. We're more than just beasts of burden; we're vital links in the chain of human life. And that’s something that needs celebrating, even if our human friends haven't quite caught on to it yet.
Now, moving on to the wider world of horses in 1666:
The Horse Show: A New Trend!
It seems the horse world was not without its own trends this year! It started small, almost a gathering of like-minded individuals, but then the talk reached Aberdeen - there were ‘Horse Shows’ starting up, and even small village stables like ours began to see the appeal.
The shows weren't just about our appearance. I’ve been told these exhibitions were more about speed and strength. They involved races, harness races, even tests of agility. My cousins, young and ambitious, got to watch the finest stallions from all across Britain perform incredible feats! And if they’re to be believed, there were even special 'stalls' where a young mare might win the admiration of a 'stud' - and a place for some good old gossip amongst us mares, of course!
The thing is, they say there were so many horse shows popping up in 1666 - it was becoming the ‘in thing’, a grand spectacle to gather and cheer for, from Aberdeen to Kent.
And Then There was Racing...
I have to admit, it is hard to speak about racing in 1666 without talking about one race in particular. This race took place near Newmarket in Cambridgeshire, and was nothing less than a ‘trial of speed’ between a pair of Thoroughbred stallions. One was called “Royal” and the other, I am proud to report, was the "Grey Barb."
I think it is right to say, this “Grey Barb” was quite the equine superstar, though he did suffer from one weakness - a dislike for mud! As we all know, horses can get pretty tense when facing off against a foe on the track, and in this case, the two stallions were as keen as could be for victory. However, just before the start, a huge rain storm came down, making the track one big mess of mud. Well, 'Grey Barb', true to form, took this personally, and did something nobody had ever seen before...
They say he leaped, he danced, he performed like a prancing showman before he finally refused to even put one hoof down on that dreadful mud. This caused a huge stir. They even started betting on whether he’d be able to overcome his aversion, though I wouldn’t be surprised to hear someone said 'I told you so!' Poor ‘Royal’ wasn’t having much better luck - the race seemed cursed with a terrible muddiness, and he ended up going so slow, they were calling it 'an apology for a race!' But that doesn’t make a great story, now, does it?
However, our 'Grey Barb', though a champion for speed, couldn't stomach the mud, and I guess there was no point racing under those conditions! I still tell this story with delight! My cousins think he should be revered, even if that one race ended in disaster!
Breeding and Selection:
It was a time of change in the breeding of horses. Across the British Isles, farmers and owners were increasingly concerned about developing horses with specific qualities: the bigger, stronger draught breeds for farm work and the fleet-footed thoroughbreds for the newly developing racing scenes. My very own stallion was brought here from a line of the 'old' draught breeds - those who are famous for their massive build and sheer strength! Even if it means the extra work, we have a vital part to play, and our breeding is important to ensure we keep up with the needs of humans! It's exciting and also very encouraging to know that humans are coming to recognise these qualities!
My 1666
For myself, 1666 was another year filled with the routine of farm life, pulling carts and ploughs, helping out in the stable, and tending to my own well-being. However, those stories of the great London fire, the racing events, and even the horse shows had an impact on me. The tales sparked something within me, a yearning to understand the human world. After all, horses are intricately connected to this world. I knew my destiny wasn't on the race track or in a busy London street, but the wider world of horses, their stories, and the lives they lead, those began to fascinate me. It was in 1666 that my heart truly began to awaken to the wonders of the equestrian world beyond our Scottish meadows.
Until next time, Equiworld! Keep your noses to the wind, and your hooves healthy.
Emma
