#1686
A Glimpse into Life in 1686: A Draught Horse’s Perspective
Greetings, fellow equines! Emma here, a spirited grey mare with a mane and tail like spun silver. You might call me old-fashioned, but I have a penchant for the simple things - the smell of fresh hay, the feel of the wind in my mane as I pull a laden cart, and the camaraderie of my fellow horses. I've been living here in Hayfield, near Aberdeen in Scotland, since I was a foal, and this year, 1686, feels quite significant.
You see, horses were the backbone of society back then. We were the engines of commerce, transportation, and warfare. A farmer wouldn't be able to till his fields, a baker couldn't deliver bread to market, and soldiers couldn't charge into battle without us! My days are usually filled with hauling heavy loads of hay and grain to the local mill. We also help cart timber for building houses, transport supplies for the local shops, and even haul people on journeys into nearby villages. It’s a lot of work, but I'm a sturdy lass, a draught horse bred for strength and endurance.
Today, though, I feel particularly chatty, especially as something wonderful happened last week. Now, while we're a humble team of horses here in Hayfield, word travels fast amongst us equines. The news, often delivered by our human friends in whispers, makes its way through the stables, fields, and sometimes even whispered amongst us in the pastures as we munch on the sweetest grass. And last week, oh, the gossip! It seems there is a new type of harness in the capital of London. Not just any harness, dear friends, a lighter, softer harness! I have to admit, my heart skipped a beat. Imagine, not having to drag that heavy, stiff leather on my shoulders!
It's all about a gentleman named Thomas Burgess, apparently an expert on everything equestrian. This gentleman, from what I've heard, has been developing a "better" way to harness our power, for a gentler and easier life. They are talking about cushions, felt lining, even buckles made of polished silver! I can barely imagine it! Can you imagine a life where harnessing didn't make you sigh in weary relief every evening?
Of course, there's always been competition amongst us, you know, healthy competition. Who can pull the biggest cart? Who can graze the fastest? But there's always a shared sense of comradeship. It is important for horses like us to stick together, even with these new “lighter harness" developments! And this latest news, while promising, brings with it questions: What does the future hold? What new adventures will we be asked to undertake?
I was also intrigued to hear about another exciting thing, something truly revolutionary for the times: A man named Francis Bacon, apparently a very important fellow, has been discussing a way to preserve the freshness of our meals using “freezing.” This ingenious idea seems to involve some kind of artificial method of chilling, although it sounds rather…intense. As a horse, I can't imagine freezing ourselves. I’ll admit, my heart quickened at the prospect of keeping those precious oats nice and cool. And let's face it, being a draught horse, who wouldn't be happy to keep their delicious grains fresh and sweet?
The news coming from the capital isn't all about fancy harnesses and freezing food though, oh no. Apparently, some horses are even being used for racing. The human world, I find, is so diverse, always changing and full of surprises! And of course, these stories, they’re passed through our equine grapevine – tales whispered by fellow steeds from distant towns and villages, stories brought to us on the backs of tired merchants and bustling carriage drivers.
Life in Hayfield isn't always exciting, it’s true, but I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I work alongside my trusty team, a mare called Molly with a soft brown coat, and a sturdy bay stallion called Samson, both are real workhorses like me. There is also, of course, a herd of magnificent Highland ponies. We all know each other well, and we depend on each other for support and company. Every day brings something new, from the chirping of the birds to the familiar call of my human friends, urging us to do our daily tasks.
I must admit, despite my excitement over the lighter harness and the tales of "freezing", there's a small part of me that feels apprehensive. Change can be exciting, but change also means facing the unknown. I long for the days ahead, filled with new challenges, new stories to tell, but my old, well-worn harness feels comfortable and familiar. It’s a comfort I’m beginning to recognize may soon be replaced by a new era, a lighter, softer one. But this sturdy draught horse will never forget the lessons learned from pulling heavy carts in the hard, unyielding terrain of Hayfield.
And who knows, maybe that "freezing" concept will lead to keeping our oats perfectly fresh all winter!
Till next time, fellow equines! Keep your hooves clean, your spirits high, and stay tuned to Equine World for more stories from my corner of Scotland.
