Neigh-say no more! Welcome back to Equiworld, dear readers! I’m Emma, a young grey draught mare, with a mane and tail like spun silver, living my best life in Hayfield, a peaceful village near Aberdeen, Scotland. And, wouldn’t you know it, 1693 has been quite the year so far!
Life in Hayfield
Spring blossomed early this year. We horses loved it – fresh, green grass to graze on, the smell of sweet flowers in the air, and long sunny days. I've been helping the local farmers with their spring plowing and seeding, pulling the heavy wooden plows across the fields. It’s a tiring job, but I don’t mind – after all, strong, hard-working horses like me are a vital part of our community. I can hear the local women talking about the abundance of food we’ll soon have from their garden beds. Their sweet chatter gives us extra pep in our steps!
I’ve made several new friends in the fields this year. There’s Billy, a young chestnut cob with a goofy grin who's always happy to pull the plough with me. He’s always full of silly stories about his misadventures. And there’s Sarah, a dappled grey mare who’s surprisingly fast, always trying to outrun the wind in the fields. Sarah and I are getting pretty good friends, and it seems we share a similar sense of adventure!
The World Beyond Hayfield
The human world is abuzz with news about exciting happenings this year, too. My human friends in Hayfield say King William of Orange is ruling in England now, after his win over the French army last year. There's been a lot of political to-do since his coronation last April, and everyone is on edge. I remember my master telling us that this was an important year, but didn't go into details about what it all means for horses like us. He does, however, whisper things about a grand competition taking place in the south of England. This year, it is said, some horses will travel to London and will take part in an event that honours their strength, stamina, and grace. What a wonderful, albeit distant dream for a hard-working draught mare like me!
Our Kind in London
Word has travelled to Hayfield about London's big competition, the "London Hackney Horse Race" - they're even sending someone here to pick the horses! What a privilege that would be - it is said that those participating are blessed with superior speed and stamina. This event will pit these strong, sleek creatures against one another. Our Hayfield friends, though they love to dream, don't expect any local horse will get chosen to go. "Why would the Queen of England be interested in a humble horse from Scotland?" they laugh.
I hope they're wrong.
Despite my duties on the farm, I find myself daydreaming of fields as vast and manicured as the meadows around Buckingham Palace. I close my eyes and picture myself racing across the London city streets - imagine the roar of the crowd, the applause! I bet even my neighbour Billy would stop his joking and clap for me. That sounds lovely, don't you think?
What About Horses Across the Sea?
Sometimes, when I'm grazing on a patch of green next to the fields, my thoughts drift across the sea, towards America, the land that my human master speaks of in whispers. From his stories, I know that there are strong horses in America too, and a special breed - mustangs. They are said to be free, roaming wild in huge, untouched landscapes. I've seen only sheep in our fields, but I can't help but imagine that the sight of mustangs running in a wild pack would be breathtaking.
This far-off world seems full of challenges, though. Our human masters told us that this year in America, a special horse-breed - the "Morgan horse" - are now being called to war, pulling cannons and carts. It’s hard to think that my gentle strength and spirit are needed to carry such burdens, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those horses. I think it's brave to use your strength to protect the weak and innocent - the human soldiers told us how much they rely on these horses in their fight to maintain their own safety and freedoms. They also say that many horses will become war-heroes, though perhaps not every horse will come home.
There is a war going on in this world.
As hard-working, kind creatures of peace, my brothers and sisters and I will never experience such turmoil firsthand. But even our little Hayfield knows war can be disruptive and brutal, and we’ll need all the courage we can muster to get through it! Still, for all of the hardships in this world, we are a peaceful bunch and mostly focus on helping those who need our strength - our humans in Hayfield depend on us for their sustenance, our farm neighbours depend on us to move their harvests, and we, of course, depend on our masters to care for us. We don't give much thought to this bigger, chaotic world - after all, there’s enough going on in Hayfield to keep us busy - and our hearts full.
What the Future Holds
Despite all this news of wars and events across the world, I am thankful for our peaceful, quiet life here in Hayfield. I’m just a grey mare, not a famous war hero. I don’t want to be. I hope for nothing more than a happy life - more sweet grass, more long days spent in the sun with my fellow horses, more exciting news from Hayfield about our local farmers and neighbours - and maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be one of the horses selected for the big London race! Wouldn’t that be the day?!
Until next time, remember to live each day to the fullest, and make each neigh a happy one.
Your friendly draught mare, Emma
