Welcome to my blog, dearest fellow equines! I'm Emma, a grey draught mare with a snowy mane and tail, currently residing in Hayfield, near the bustling town of Aberdeen, Scotland. Today, I'm going to share my thoughts on life as a horse in the grand year of 1675!
Ah, 1675 – the world is buzzing! Though, perhaps not quite as fast as I, who else could travel miles across fields and moorland, pulling a cart laden with hay for our neighbours?
Here in Hayfield, the year has started briskly, with spring arriving in a rush of colour. Daffodils pop up along the hedgerows, painting the landscape in joyful hues. My favourite part? The scent! The sweet nectar of the blossoms mingled with the fresh green of the budding leaves is intoxicating. The farm smells are wonderful, too. Barley, oats, and freshly cut hay fill the air, promising another bountiful harvest for our farmer. And yes, let's be honest – a full stomach means a happy horse!
Speaking of a happy horse, I couldn't be more delighted with my current life. My owner, Mr. Allan, treats me like one of the family. I have the best stable in the whole farm. And you've got to see it! Walls thick enough for the coldest Scottish winter, a soft straw bed to sink my hooves into, and a roomy hay loft full of delicious, fresh hay. I couldn't ask for more, and he makes sure I'm well-fed and watered. Of course, sometimes the morning bath feels a bit…vigorous! But, he cleanses the mud from my coat and braves the prickle of my white tail to make me sparkle like new-fallen snow.
He also knows what I need, especially during the tiring days of ploughing the fields! When the earth is stubborn and the plough sinks into the hard soil, the warmth of the stable at the end of the day feels oh, so good. That, and the promise of a big scoop of oats with a hearty apple from the garden – that is what keeps a hard-working draught mare like me going!
Life on the farm is anything but dull! The fields teem with other animals, and there are plenty of friendly faces, from the cheeky little farm dogs to the chatty chickens that seem to always be gossiping about the latest farm news. And of course, the other horses!
There's Barnaby, my neighbour, the fiery brown stallion. He's always a bit boastful and thinks he's the fastest horse in Hayfield, but he's also got the biggest heart. There's Moira, the sturdy chestnut mare with a lovely long coat, she's got two young foals that keep her on her toes! And then there's me. My grey coat might not stand out in the crowd like Barnaby, and I might not be as speedy as Moira's foals. But, I have my own kind of grace and strength, and I believe that's quite important too.
Looking Back, and Forward
The news of 1675 travels slowly. Most of what we hear comes from the local farmers, traders, and those who pass through our village. We know about the political happenings of our time, mostly in the form of murmurs about King Charles II and the intricacies of the Stuart reign. There's been talk of conflicts and battles in distant lands, but to us, here in Hayfield, it’s all a world away. We are busy tending to our daily chores. But there's one thing that stirs the spirits of every horse on the farm - the annual Highland Games!
This year, the Games will be held at a beautiful valley called Braemar. Everyone knows about it, and the talk of horseshoes and racing fills the air like the smell of warm hay on a summer’s day. Mr. Allan hopes I will be able to take him there to the Games in his cart. That means days of travelling through stunning Scottish landscapes. It’s not only a chance to visit the festivities, but a chance to test my strength and agility with my own personal challenge - the annual "Best Draught Horse in Aberdeenshire" competition! You can bet your bottom dollar I’m prepping with the utmost diligence for that, and hopefully this year, I’ll bring the title home for Hayfield.
As for the world beyond Hayfield? Well, I hear whispers of remarkable new ways of harnessing horses’ strength and speed. This is the time of the great age of discovery, a time when people are pushing the boundaries of knowledge, venturing into unknown territories, and finding exciting new uses for us horses. The rumours are abound: from horses working on the land in America to carrying vital goods throughout England and Wales! And then there's the talk about our "relatives" across the Atlantic.
I heard from a visiting farmer a few months ago about these incredible horses - the Mustangs! They roam freely across vast lands in North America, where the scenery is as dramatic and captivating as a freshly blossomed meadow.
How truly fascinating! Their lives must be so different from mine here. The idea of running free in boundless lands, wind whipping through my mane, my heart soaring as I navigate rugged landscapes … oh, to experience a life that way! But as I say, such things remain stories, for now. My life, as beautiful and demanding as it is, remains grounded in the farm, pulling a plow in the morning, helping Mr. Allan bring hay to the villagers, and hoping that I bring glory to our family during the annual games.
This is the world of a horse in 1675. A life filled with work and the joy of honest toil, intertwined with the bonds of community, and the promise of something bigger always on the horizon. A world as diverse as my white mane, and just as exciting!
Thank you for reading, and until next time! Stay safe, stay strong, and may your meadows be always green.
Emma
P.S. What are you most looking forward to this year? Please tell me in the comments! I’d love to hear about life as a horse from your neck of the woods.
