Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to my little corner of Equiworld. It’s Emma here, a grey draught horse with a white mane and tail, living the life of luxury (well, as much luxury as a working horse can experience!) in Hayfield, just outside of lovely Aberdeen, Scotland.
As always, I'm here to share some stories from my travels and thoughts on the fascinating world of horses, this time, delving into the events of the year 1715 – a time of great change and exciting developments in our horsey world!
This year has been full of excitement, both for humans and for horses alike. The political landscape in our human world is shifting with a new King, George I, taking the throne – although some, including the Earl of Mar, think things should have stayed the way they were and have rallied their supporters for a fight!
A Tale of Two Kings
While the Jacobite uprising in favour of the exiled King James (I can’t help but think he was a bit of a lazy old geezer if he can’t be bothered to show up!) has kept some of the more adventurous stallions in the area occupied, I haven't seen any major wars here in Scotland – thank goodness! We are hard-working, honest horses, and prefer pulling plows to clashing steel.
There is, however, a quiet tension that hangs in the air like a cloud of stable dust. Many farmers, especially those in the Scottish Lowlands, are unsure which side to take, their loyalty to the Crown conflicting with the calls for change from some powerful nobles. This uncertainty, much like a poorly trained colt, tends to cause a bit of a stir in the markets and with prices.
Our World of Work
Back to lighter topics, the most significant news in our horse world, you see, is that there's been a real surge in the popularity of Clydesdale horses! With their impressive stature and power, Clydesdales are simply ideal for work – especially heavy draught work – and their thick, shaggy coats keep them warm even through the harsh winters here.
Being a fellow draught horse, I’m rather fond of them. A lot of folks around here in Hayfield have Clydesdales, and let me tell you, they are impressive to watch. And it seems everyone's noticed! They've been making quite the splash in the market. Prices have gone up for them considerably. Of course, as a good girl myself, I remain loyal to my Percheron bloodlines and wouldn’t trade them for any other breed!
Beyond the Plough
But it isn't just Clydesdales, my dear readers! You’d be surprised at the exciting news that's trickling out from the big cities: carriages! With the increased demand for stylish travel, many wealthy families are hiring out horses for fancy carriages that go everywhere! Of course, they prefer horses that look handsome – shiny coats and feathered legs are a must for the carriage trade!
The new King himself arrived in London on a fine carriage pulled by six horses. Imagine! Can you believe it, six! That’s enough to pull the strongest plough I've ever seen!
Riding and Riding and... More Riding!
On a slightly lighter note, everyone seems to be hopping onto horseback this year. Even the farmers' wives are getting into it! Ladies from fashionable cities are adopting a rather masculine habit of taking long rides for exercise, although it seems some prefer their ladies to take a less “athletic” approach to riding! Imagine, actually having someone walk behind your carriage to steady you on the trail – they think a good balance is the responsibility of the horse!
Racing
And talking of races... yes! You guessed it. Horse racing has finally arrived in a big way in England. People are gathering at the racetrack like they’ve never seen. It’s a thrill to hear the excitement – the shouts and laughter – from all those who have flocked there to watch the speedy horses. It’s no surprise they've got that “horse fever” going around with the spectacle of racing and its glamour.
But my, oh my! These racehorses… I find it quite a fright to watch them, the way they lunge and leap. Me, I'm built for steady, heavy work, for the farm. They don’t look built for that though! It would be difficult, let me tell you, for one of them to pull a cart of hay up a steep incline. They may be fast, but it is power and strength we draught horses appreciate most!
A Touch of the Divine
A friend of mine, a beautiful mare from the highlands, was actually selected to work in the royal stables, for the new King, you see. That’s not an easy position to get! She told me it took weeks of meticulous grooming and training to even qualify. The stables were bigger than our entire village!
There's a lot of talk in Hayfield about what sort of life these horses have in London. We heard that King George is keen on racing and a very strict horseman, demanding perfect discipline in all his horses. Our friend says he also has many hunting horses – it’s enough to make any horse feel quite proud, especially one like my highland friend, to serve royalty. But my, it’s hard work, she assures me. No time for gossip. It’s one thing for me to gossip – as I’m sure you know – and quite another for the royal horses, you see!
Looking Forward
The year 1715 is one of many milestones for horses across the land, a turning point in the world of both work and pleasure. Our strength and agility have opened up possibilities we never dreamt of! I find it truly rewarding to be a part of such an influential, graceful and vital creature – and to think there will be so many new possibilities on the horizon.
But no matter what the future holds for the equine world, one thing's for sure: we’ll continue to play an essential role in human society. We'll carry people, haul cargo, and give children joy - not forgetting the farm work, of course. I will be back soon, my dear readers, to bring you more of the horse news that matters!
And until then, I bid you a fond adieu, my friends, and happy riding!
Emma
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