Hello my dearest fellow equines, and welcome back to my little corner of EquiWorld! My name is Emma, and I'm a 20 year old grey draught mare with a white mane and tail. I live in a little village called Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland. You can't imagine how the breeze feels over my back when I gallop across the heather hills with the other horses - the wildness of the landscape really makes me feel free!
Today, I thought I'd take you back in time. We all know the old tales about how the world of horses has been changing so fast these days - so many new ideas about training and riding and such a wide range of breeds. It makes me feel proud of how long my kind has served humanity - we truly are the most loyal, patient, and hardworking friends a person could wish for!
To do that, though, we need to travel right back to the year 1672. Now, I know that sounds a long time ago, but trust me, some things never change! We were all still essential for transport and agriculture in the 17th century - the world didn’t really have steam power in those days!
* A Working Day in 1672: Ploughing and Packing*
Let me tell you about a typical day for me in 1672. I start before dawn. The air is crisp and chilly in Hayfield. The sun is a sliver on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and rose. As I wake, I hear the familiar clip-clop of hooves and the steady rumble of wagon wheels from the other horses in the village.
We’re all needed for work. Every single one of us plays a vital part in the daily life of the community, just like we still do now, although there are many fewer of us in cities and towns today. In 1672, nearly everyone is dependent on horses for transport and agriculture. That’s why my farmer owner takes such good care of me and the other horses in the village - we are the livelihood.
We go through the day helping with the harvest, ploughing the fields and carrying goods from the markets to the city. I spend most of my time with my strong friend, Duncan. He's a massive brown stallion and has a lot of energy! We work together, pulling the heavy plough, turning over the earth in preparation for the crops. It’s a tough job, especially on the rocky hills of Scotland, but we’re used to it - it’s in our blood!
I must say, the farmer’s wife, Agnes, often gives Duncan and me a little bit of extra oats and a big hug on our way back. We deserve that kind of praise for how hard we work, right? And let's not forget - oats are our favourite!
After our morning in the fields, I might be helping pull the farm wagon into Aberdeen. It’s a long journey for a horse, but it’s a good thing because the city is filled with activity, sounds and sights I never tire of seeing. The smell of fresh hay and fish are familiar smells for every horse.
The Joys and Challenges of Travel
This is also a chance for me to meet up with other horses in the city, which is always exciting. Imagine my surprise when I met a dappled grey mare from Northumberland, a region where horses like us were said to be bred for strength!
These journeys aren’t just about transport though - it’s about trade and exchange. Horses are vital for keeping Scotland moving and we're constantly being moved and exchanged to bring different kinds of produce to new communities. You have to be pretty tough to be a horse in 1672!
But it's also exciting and invigorating to travel across the Scottish countryside! The hills and valleys give me so much opportunity to see the changing colours of the seasons. Spring with its new life and blossom, the golden summer heat, the deep red of the autumn leaves and the frosty, clean air of winter! Every season offers its unique beauty, which we enjoy while walking, trotting or even galloping.
Caring for the Horse Family
Now, before we talk about horses on the battlefield, I must say we horses need love and care. Like any member of a family, our comfort and well-being matter, and I'm pleased to say that, in the year 1672, things were pretty good in our village. I would be cared for, fed, brushed, and, when my back was tired, I could spend some hours grazing in the pasture next to my stable, enjoying the sunlight on my grey coat. We horses also rely on each other - our family! Duncan and I were always together and we’d help out younger horses when they got a little tired from learning how to pull the cart!
However, our bond with our humans was the most special! The farmer was kind to me - he knew what a special bond I have with Agnes, his wife. Agnes was a real friend to the horses, always giving us the kindest treatment. It felt as though she understood us horses like no human ever could.
Even today, horses and humans enjoy such a deep connection - that's why people continue to call horses “the best friend a man can have". I still see that deep bond and trust between humans and horses today - even though there aren't so many horses working on farms any more!
* The Battlefield Horse:*
I am lucky to live a quiet, hardworking life. However, in 1672, things weren’t peaceful in the world. Wars, conflicts and even rebellions still raged in places, and we horses still played an important part in those battles!
Scotland was, after all, the “land of heroes” and many brave knights from Scotland’s highlands often needed a loyal steed by their side to help them on their heroic adventures! I don't have a warlike heart - my soul is one for hard work and love - but I know many of my kin in other regions were on the battlefields in those turbulent times!
Even though we don’t face that reality now in peaceful times like these, my family still lives on - they are known by new names now. “Warmbloods”, they call them. They’re a kind of mixture of strong horses like myself - built to pull plows and cart heavy loads, and strong and swift horses from other lands - some with lighter coats of Bay or Black than my own grey - but equally noble and powerful! It’s a long and strong heritage and I know my fellow equine friends in today’s world carry that courage within their hearts, even though they mostly spend their days in beautiful fields, working alongside children and giving families a loving home and safe haven in their stable!
A Glimpse Into the Future
I wouldn't say I'm good at predicting the future, but even from my life here in 1672, I can see how life for horses is changing rapidly, especially in towns and cities! You know I still live in a peaceful, country village where people still need a helping hoof - especially for the long journey to market in Aberdeen. But even here, things are slowly starting to change!
I hear from other horses in the region - tales about new things that are coming, inventions that may someday be powered by machines! That's probably why fewer and fewer horses are needed in big cities.
Still, the heart of the horse is always noble and patient! I don't feel threatened by the changes to come - I am excited to see what our future holds, even as the world of man begins to take a different direction. We have always found a place, whether it’s a hard working day on the farm or pulling carriages full of joy and celebration through the streets of the city. Our heart will always find a way.
Until next time, my dearest fellow equines!
Emma
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