Greetings, fellow equines and equine enthusiasts!
Emma here, a proud grey draught mare with a flowing white mane and tail. I call the rolling green hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland my home, and today, I'm going to share my experiences from the year 1668. Now, 1668 might seem like a distant echo to many of you young 'uns, but to me, it feels like yesterday! So settle in, grab a juicy apple, and let me take you back in time.
The Year Begins: A Farmer's Daughter's Life
1668 dawned bright and crisp, a welcome change after a harsh winter. My days began before sunrise, filled with the familiar rhythm of the farm. We horses, especially us strong draughts, were the backbone of everything – ploughing the fields, hauling timber, pulling carts laden with produce to market. We worked hard, yes, but it wasn't drudgery. I felt a deep connection with the land, a quiet pride in my work. It gave my life a purpose, and my bonds with my fellow horses, a sense of belonging.
Now, in those days, there were a lot of different ways to use horses. We had heavy, strong horses like me for pulling the plough, carrying loads, and hauling coaches, while leaner horses were preferred for riding and racing. The war-horse was another, smaller breed, built for speed and agility in battle.
My life was simple. It was a life of hard work, but it was also a life of quiet beauty. The fresh morning air, the scent of blooming wildflowers, the sound of birdsong, the companionship of the other horses - there was something truly beautiful about it.
News From The Wide World
However, the life of a working horse wasn't all peaceful ploughing and sunsets over the fields. That year, 1668, was a year of upheaval in the wider world, far from our Scottish farm. A rumour reached us, whispered between humans and passed on to us by the wind. The King of England, Charles II, had signed a treaty with the Dutch.
King, War and the Royal Studs
The treaty, called the "Treaty of Breda," put an end to the Second Anglo-Dutch War. This meant that our neighbour England was finally at peace with the Dutch, a welcome relief to the farm, as it meant our human friends didn't need to go off to fight.
Speaking of wars, this is where our brothers and sisters in the Royal Studs – the horses specifically bred for the war effort – were especially in demand. They weren't always the first to arrive at the battlefield, but they would often be vital in transport and the cavalry charge. This made me proud, you know? We were a breed, us horses, capable of carrying a soldier to fight for the land he loved, and sometimes, they saved him from the very enemies he faced.
As the war died down, though, the Royals found that they had plenty of horses! That's how so many amazing breeds came about. They began to look beyond the fighting and took an interest in all manner of things, from long journeys and hunting to the sporting life of riding and racing. That is how they created some of the truly iconic breeds of today - thoroughbreds for example!
But the Treaty of Breda was not just a story about war and peace. It also meant a boost in trade and economic growth between the two countries. It would be many years before its full impact could be felt, but you could feel the growing interest in new types of horses. You can see, this had a big impact on what our kind did!
My Special Gift
The year 1668 was special to me because my human companion, Maggie, decided I needed a treat. The farmers kept their strongest workhorses – and that meant me, bless my fluffy white mane – for long journeys. This year, Maggie and I had a trip to a nearby village for the annual market. It was the most exciting day I had had in ages. We were responsible for carrying many things - farm supplies, wool, grain and so on, all beautifully bundled on my strong back.
Maggie had prepared me a new set of horse-harness made of leather – beautiful brown leather – all shining clean. It felt so luxurious. We set off together in the crisp, fresh morning air, and the day flew by with a flurry of sights, sounds, and smells. I remember feeling proud as we walked into the village, with our cart of beautiful vegetables and fresh butter.
Changes For the Horses
One thing I noticed was that during this period of peace, humans were trying new ways to care for us. For instance, the smith started using a different kind of metal to make horseshoes, making them stronger and better suited for long journeys. Also, there was a lot of chatter about new inventions. We had heard from some travellers about new machines called “coaches” being built with horses as their only motive power!
And then there was something even more important - the talk of horses having their own unique personalities and abilities, not just being tools to be used.
That same year, there were whispers about something called the “Royal Horse Hospital” being founded in London. The intention was to provide proper care to injured and ill horses! You can imagine my surprise - to have somewhere we could go to get the proper medical attention? Well, I was still a working horse in 1668, and this felt very distant for me, a small town girl, but still, it felt important! It meant something had shifted, a respect for what we are able to do.
Life Goes On
As the seasons turned, so too did our lives on the farm. Harvest time arrived, and the air buzzed with activity as we loaded the overflowing carts, transporting the precious fruits of the earth. Then came autumn, and the air carried the scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke. Winter, however, brought its challenges.
It wasn’t always about working, though. The other horses would gather at night, huddled together for warmth. We’d share tales and whispers of other places and far-off adventures. That’s what I love about our horse communities, it’s like a great big family!
Endings and Beginnings
1668 closed with the warmth of another harvest and a promise of a fresh start. This world is full of change and transformation – a fact we see throughout our lives – but our core nature, our capacity for hard work, companionship, and unwavering love for the land, remained unchanged.
So that’s a snippet of life in 1668. As you all continue to journey through the years, I invite you to ponder on the past and how our ancestors faced those times. We have had so many different jobs - from helping to build our own world, to making sure wars came to a good conclusion, and from helping explorers find new worlds to carrying travellers to new places - but I am sure we will find more work to do, even as time keeps changing!
I, for one, will continue to chronicle my life, share my experiences, and contribute to the tapestry of horse history, one story at a time. Stay tuned for the next blog, where I'll talk about 1669 and my adventures at the fair! Until then, graze in peace, my friends.
Emma
