History of Horses in the year 1714

Hello fellow equines, Emma here, from the windswept hills of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. It's a fine, sunny day, and I'm feeling very grateful to be alive, to be a horse, and to have so much to tell you about this remarkable year.

As always, my friends, life here in the 18th century is all about hard work and plenty of delicious hay.

But I'll tell you something, it's not so different from our lives now! You see, things are changing. A big change, actually. We have a new king on the throne in London, and people are all aflutter.

You see, my life is very much connected to what happens in London. Why? Because even up here in this corner of the world, there's no escaping the fact that horses are a very important part of life. We transport goods, plough fields, carry people, and, yes, we even race!

And it's this royal change of events that's got people, especially gentlemen and those in the know about horses, talking excitedly about what this all means for us equine folks.

I know, it sounds a bit dry - but, honestly, it is important. You see, Queen Anne passed away a few months ago, and the new king, George I, is from Hanover. He is of German descent and doesn't speak much English. This change, dear reader, will likely have a huge impact on the royal stables and breeding, and therefore, our whole equine community!

Don't worry though, we'll get to the detail later! First, let's take a moment to breathe in the air, feel the sun on our coat, and let me share with you what I have learned. After all, wouldn't it be splendid to hear it from the perspective of a strong, intelligent, and wise grey mare like myself?

This year, I was nearly 20 years old. My white mane and tail are now getting longer, a proud badge of age, though I still feel young and strong! I still have a few good years of pulling the cart for Mr. McLeod in Hayfield. I love my work - there's nothing more rewarding than a well-pulled load and the warmth in Mr. McLeod’s eyes. He knows he can trust me and relies on my strength and good nature.

Here's what else I've noticed:

• Farming has remained very much the same - pulling the plough, carrying feed, transporting produce to the markets. We're the backbone of agriculture, even here in Scotland, and the hard work gives us a deep sense of purpose.

• Travel: As you know, we're essential for journeys across this beautiful land. From the royal coach in London to humble wagons on country roads, horses are crucial for trade and communication. We might not see those glamorous coaches but we hear tell that they travel long distances at speed. How marvellous that would be!

• Military service remains critical, especially for transporting soldiers and carrying cannons into battle. It's not a life I want, but it shows how vital we are to national defense, and a great honour for those horses chosen for that role.

• The sport of Racing: A thrilling world! Yes, some of you might not approve of racing as it can be strenuous, but it shows how much humans respect and admire our power and speed. A couple of months ago, my friend Fiona - she's a sleek black mare with beautiful eyes - told me she witnessed the Newmarket race. The speed and excitement make my tail twitch even now! She said there are dedicated "bloodlines" of horses bred especially for speed. Fancy that!

• Horses are Everywhere! From our everyday lives to the world's biggest cities, horses are present everywhere. Every stable is a small community, and each of us has our story. This gives me a deep feeling of pride - that I am part of something so big, a powerful symbol of resilience and strength for everyone.

So, let me take you back to that time and tell you about a pivotal year, the one where everything changed - 1714!

My journey begins with a new king, a fresh beginning, and a lot of questions buzzing around our stables. Queen Anne, known for her love of horses, had a magnificent royal stud. Her prized bloodlines have enriched breeding all over the country, including Scotland. She had a wonderful sense of how important horses are to our world, not just as tools for transport and work, but also for the spirit of our nation.

We can still hear tales of her passion, especially in the tales told by the older horses, horses who have witnessed history unfold. It’s these tales that truly give life meaning.

I still remember when we all knew Queen Anne's time was coming to an end. There was a shift in the air, a gentle breeze blowing a change into the stables, into our very souls. You felt it, as I did, a deep unspoken shift as life as we knew it began to rearrange itself.

Our new king, King George I, is an entirely different character. He's very busy and ambitious. My fellow equine friends told me there was a great fuss over him arriving in London and taking over the reigns of England. The people in Hayfield aren’t so keen on this change. He speaks a strange language and looks quite different from Queen Anne, and the whispers about his "German ways" make the mares shudder, and the colts kick up their heels with excitement. It's a sign of the unknown, a wild horse of a future gallops into our minds!

Some are excited, believing he'll change things for the better, whilst others, the old horses, worry about the unknown. I'll admit, I was quite afraid, though not as frightened as the colts! The uncertainty gave a tremor in the stables, a strange, new tension to our daily routine.

One day, as Mr. McLeod fed us hay, he overheard my anxieties.

"My Emma," he said, "He's the king now. Don't worry. There will be change, of course. But we've faced changes before, haven't we?" He pointed to my shiny grey coat. "Remember the terrible winter just two years ago?"

"Yes," I agreed, remembering the harsh wind that bit our faces and the struggles for food. "But we endured."

Mr. McLeod smiled. "That's right, Emma. We are horses, strong and resilient. The world changes, but we keep going. And who knows? Perhaps this change will be for the better.”

Those words stayed with me as the months passed, helping me to face the changes with strength and courage, and with the confidence that I am a horse, a true survivor in an ever-changing world.

So, this is 1714 - the year of transition and intrigue! It's the year when I learned about change and the importance of resilience, even amidst uncertain times. This is the year the story of how our lives evolved was written, chapter by chapter. It is a year, I am certain, that will shape our history for years to come.

But I will share the story of that change, little by little. Next time, I'll share what we hear of our King, and what those stories tell us about our equine world, as a collective!

**I'll see you all soon, with tales of more change and a little excitement thrown in.

Stay strong, stay brave, and enjoy every sunrise.

Yours, Emma**