Hello there, fellow equine enthusiasts! It's Emma, your friendly grey mare, back again with another entry into my history blog. As always, it’s a pleasure to share my journey through time, delving into the fascinating world of horses and their place in history. This time, we're stepping back to the year 1684, a time brimming with exciting developments for our equine brethren, and a time when I, Emma, found myself living in the bustling, but beautiful, Hayfield near Aberdeen in Scotland.
It’s strange to think about it, but in 1684, horses were more than just a symbol of grace and strength. We were vital to the way people lived. The world in 1684 was not a place you could easily traverse without our strength and resilience.
For a big, strong grey draught horse like me, life was usually a satisfying mix of work and leisure. In my days, the first rays of dawn would usually find me already awake. A light dew had fallen during the night and as I stood in my stable, it glistened on my sleek grey coat and made my white mane and tail sparkle like moonlight. My nostrils flared, sniffing the fragrant morning air filled with the aroma of fresh cut hay and the rich scent of damp earth. Ah, the good old days!
Most mornings would see me harness-ready for whatever work needed doing on the farm. Whether pulling a cart full of grain, hauling firewood from the forest, or carrying heavy plows across the land, our role was central to human survival and development.
My strength wasn’t the only reason people needed us. Horses are known for our endurance, and our ability to traverse vast distances on land – we're much better than walking or dragging yourself through miles and miles of land, as humans often had to! And for this reason, we were just as valuable in the bustling cities as we were in the remote countryside.
Imagine a time before the railways and steam engines! We were the ultimate transportation network. We were the heart and soul of transport in this year of 1684, carrying everything from passengers to mail to produce. My own relatives even made their way into battles and skirmishes, proudly serving their country with great honour and even greater bravery! We even had the pleasure of helping those less fortunate – transporting soldiers across difficult landscapes during times of war or hauling supplies for the hungry and the needy.
Speaking of bravery, the year 1684 was a time when our breed had just made its mark in the racing world. You might have seen our kind gracing the prestigious Epsom Derby in the years to come, but in 1684, the focus was still largely on endurance and practicality. Though this year saw some new ground being made in horse racing! In a rather large-scale development in horse history, the Royal Horse Show, as it's now known, was officially established! It was quite a grand affair, hosted in the majestic grounds of Windsor Castle itself. I bet it was quite a spectacle to behold, with crowds gathering to watch our equine siblings strut their stuff! And whilst this prestigious event was meant for Thoroughbreds and racers, I can imagine my big draught brethren, sturdy as they were, were probably tasked with hauling equipment for the event and helping ensure smooth running of things. This new horse show was certainly a game-changer for our kind – more about the art and skill of horsemanship and less about our ability to work hard and endure fatigue! I couldn’t help but wonder if I'd ever be able to take part in a similar show… although, truth be told, the thrill of working hard was enough to bring me a thrill. It’s strange to imagine that things would be so very different in the years to come. Horses wouldn’t be the central backbone of our lives… I hope it doesn’t become entirely the realm of the racers.
Evenings were quite the reward, I’ll tell you! The scent of evening meadows was intoxicating. After a hard day of work, it was nice to just relax with my herd and watch the setting sun paint the sky with colours of gold, crimson, and violet. There was an unspoken serenity in the twilight hour as we gathered to rest our limbs, sharing our day’s tales with soft whinnies and a few friendly nuzzles. The warmth of the evening was always a reminder of life’s simple pleasures and an important break before we'd face another day of toil and work.
On Sundays, we would sometimes be granted a break, which was something all of us horses looked forward to. While the humans of Hayfield would be in their Sunday best for church, we'd be led to the nearby pastures to enjoy a bit of free grazing. And to those of you that think grazing in pastures was just a casual affair, you would be surprised! I have been a witness to many dramatic confrontations between a few stallion who sought to impress the females and challenge the older mares in their flock! But there was always that one thing that calmed everyone down…the presence of the humans! I often wondered how they were so calming, but one day I discovered why…they had apples in their hands! So if ever you are trying to calm down your herd and find them too excited for you to control, perhaps take an apple or two along for your walk. This, combined with the serene landscapes around Hayfield, filled my life with contentment and gratitude.
I remember one specific Sunday, as the day was ending and the evening dew settled on the grasses, I witnessed a curious incident. There was a group of travellers, arriving on horseback from the south. They seemed quite weary and travelled with caution, carrying their faces cloaked in serious masks. I couldn't understand the reason for their subdued mood, yet, I felt a growing unease. I recall one man from the group looking directly at me and staring for a long time, then with a hesitant nod and a quick tug on his reins, they disappeared from my sight into the forest on the outskirts of Hayfield. It seemed as though they carried a great secret in their tired gaze and weary demeanor, but whatever it was, it wasn’t meant for me. I later learnt from the local gossips, that they were envoys carrying important messages between royalty – kings, queens, and dukes – of different countries and were afraid to attract unwanted attention. How interesting! It wasn’t unusual to meet new folks, since travellers would come by Hayfield to travel on from Aberdeen to the English coast but that day’s event, left me in thought… what secrets were being travelled and what plans were made with such solemnity?
1684 was a year that brought both new challenges and exciting moments for us, horses. A new royal show had taken hold of the hearts and minds of humankind and we, as a breed, were ready to be centre-stage! While our role in daily life continued, a sense of change was definitely in the air. I was certainly grateful for the days that we spent working on farms, transporting goods or tending to the needs of humanity, it would have been great if a show like the Royal Horse Show had also taken a fancy to horses like me, big grey draughts, the ones who helped work on farms, rather than just focusing on those majestic steeds built for speed.
But despite it all, I am sure one thing remains unchanged: horses remain as majestic as ever and will continue to play a crucial role in our world. With that said, it is time I make my way back to Hayfield for now! And I shall be looking forward to seeing what interesting things will unfold for us in 1685. Until next time, stay strong, beautiful, and kind, my fellow equines, and keep your hoofs on the ground!
Emma.
