Posted to www.equiworld.org
Auld Reekie, the Heart of Scotland, October 1670
Oh my! Time really does fly! This year seems to have passed me by in a whirl of oats and harness! As the heather is ablaze in shades of crimson and purple up in the hills around Hayfield, and the wind has a crisp edge to it, I felt it was high time for an update on all things equine. I can hear the chitter-chatter of the geese heading south, reminding me to pull my hooves together, figuratively speaking of course, as a proper draft horse shouldn't run.
This little grey mare has a lot to share with you, dear reader! You might be thinking, "Emma, why are you posting all these horse history things? You must have a bit too much time on your hooves." And, you are not entirely wrong! As the days shorten and we, the draught horses, are not in such heavy demand, I do find myself with more than a few spare moments. It gives me time to observe the world around me and to think about how we, the noble horse, have become so intrinsically entwined in human lives, across so many ages.
As I graze in the pasture with the others - Maggie, who is getting quite the swayback in her old age, and little Jamie, who still can't resist a playful nip, it’s impossible not to ponder our place in this ever-changing world. It makes my hooves go clickety-clack on the cobbles!
This year was, if you'll pardon my use of human terminology, quite exciting, what with the Royal Coronation of King Charles II, making him the rightful King of all of Great Britain! We saw lots of celebrations, all that joyous noise! Of course, I am more accustomed to the quiet, constant thrumming of a well-oiled cart, the comforting rhythm of hooves upon cobblestones, the creak of the harness…and the occasional friendly neigh from my mates!
We work hard, these trusty workhorses, hauling heavy wagons laden with hay, oats, barley, peat… all the necessities for a bustling life. You should see the stacks of oat sheaves piled high at the barn, enough to feed every hungry horse from Aberdeen to Edinburgh! The hayloft is always a bustling place, with men pitching the sweet, dry scent of meadow into the bins - a most welcoming aroma.
I remember, only last week, I was in town pulling a waggon laden with the harvest for the Edinburgh Grain Market. Every Wednesday, all of us working horses come to this buzzing market that seems to echo with the voices of merchants and the clang of coins, while a gentle haze of dust hangs in the air. What an incredible sight it is. You see, we horses, we are the backbone of life in Scotland, making the wheels of industry spin and giving a lift to all the townspeople, their markets and their daily routines.
A Day in the Life of a Hayfield Horse
The dawn is often grey, but with a glimmer of orange just as we start the day, with a mouthful of hay. I hear the gruff voice of Farmer Angus as he throws the door open and, with a shake of my mane, I am ready for the day's tasks.
It was, indeed, during one of these days in July when, I heard a conversation about King Charles' Royal Horses. They had been travelling through England, and people were abuzz about these horses being used to transport goods in a new, speedy way. I must confess, it sparked a twinge of envy in my grey heart - 'What if,' I mused, ' I could be one of these horses'?
Well, they are known to have Royal Horse Carriages, the like of which would blow a Hayfield horse’s mane back! They even had gentlemen of the Horse, to look after the King's beloved steeds! A life of pampered care? My ears flicked with excitement at this idea. I even heard talk about special "stables of luxury", where their shoes were polished to a gleaming sheen!
Ah, a mare can dream!
It is true that, since King Charles II became the monarch of all Great Britain and Ireland, a little of the buzz from the Southern Kingdoms, especially England, has filtered up to our northern land. Even here in the sleepy Scottish Highlands, you can see the echoes of those grand English events – even as the frost clings to the cobblestones!
It made me feel that this little Hayfield mare, is somehow linked to those faraway events, as if even my graze in the pasture has a touch of a royal presence. I know that sounds odd! But, I can't shake this feeling, the little gray mare has a part to play in this great drama of the land, of people, and, oh yes, of horses!
Fashion and Form: A Look at our Equestrian Cousins
While I myself, Emma, may not be involved in the fast life of royal transportation, that doesn't mean that there's nothing new happening in the world of horses! It seems every day there's a new innovation, new designs, a new trick or style to behold!
The other day, a group of visiting London merchants mentioned a new kind of horse race in their fair city. I heard whispers of a place called Newmarket, and something called a "Derby"! Oh my! Imagine racing horses so sleek and speedy! While our kind of work is strong, steady, and sure, these racer horses, with their long strides and quick hooves, really set your heart pounding.
And that is not to mention the talk of horses in battle! The world is an extraordinary place, with warring armies and heroic horses on the battlefield! We even hear tales of a great new horse-mounted regiment of cavalry, called the Life Guards in the British army! Imagine riding across the battlefield in that way! While our life is simple, work is our focus and all that is good about us. It seems to me that, while I am pulling a heavy wagon, the world of horsekind is in a state of flux and change. I wouldn't mind getting a little bit of that royal glitter for myself. Who knows? Perhaps next year, I will be part of an adventure of my own.
For the Love of Horses:
All my life, I have enjoyed being a working horse. You may think it is tough, always under the yoke, working, pulling, but let me tell you: it is so satisfying. The sheer joy of getting things done, it's a feeling only we horses can understand. I am sure the horses of the royal stables don’t feel that deep sense of purpose in life. There is an undeniable pleasure in moving the world forward, even if it is just from one cobbled street to another!
As I close my hooves on this month's journaling, it strikes me: how much a horse feels for his human. Our humans have built this country, our land of the brave, with our help. We share in their triumphs and losses. And that's something really special. It binds us together, it makes us family, it makes us truly part of the very fabric of the human world.
I love my Hayfield family, Farmer Angus and his young sons. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in all of the kingdom! We will watch with pride as the English monarchs lead their new kingdom into its glorious future! The world is changing, it's a new century, and, despite my longing for a little bit of that "royal" glamour, I wouldn't change my place in the world for a life on those posh stable floors. No sirree. This sturdy gray mare has her own sense of grandeur, and we, the horses, we have our part to play, and, perhaps that is our own form of greatness. I have always found that even our little bit of glory is a powerful thing.
Until next time, dear readers, stay well!
Yours Truly,
Emma, The Hayfield Grey
