History of Horses in the year 1720

Hello, my fellow equines! Welcome back to EquiWorld, your one-stop blog for all things horse-related. My name is Emma, and I’m a proud grey mare from the beautiful Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. As some of you know, I’m passionate about sharing horse history, and today I'm excited to transport you all the way back to the year 1720. Let's dive into this fascinating era for horses, a time of transition, hard work, and beautiful traditions.

The year 1720 found me a strapping young mare of 20 summers, working hard on the farm. It wasn't always easy, of course. Days were filled with pulling plows through the fields, hauling heavy wagons of crops, and carrying supplies for our human companions. We horses were essential to the everyday life of this time, just like the hardworking draught breeds in those iconic black and white photos from the 1900s.

My coat glistens in the sunshine, every strand of my white mane and tail catching the light. It's a bit of vanity, I suppose, but a bit of elegance amidst the work never hurt anyone. My grey coat helps me blend in with the rocky landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, although my big, strong frame always announces my presence. I am, after all, a heavy draught horse – built for strength and endurance.

We had our routines and understood our jobs perfectly. I could almost sense when our humans were planning their journeys just by the way they started preparing their carts and harness. Sometimes I yearned for more freedom, for open fields and galloping with the wind in my mane. But that was a luxury that we simply didn’t have, not when we were relied on to do so much for our communities.

I haven't been away from Hayfield much in my life. But I have heard stories. Stories from the older horses of their experiences, journeys across wild landscapes, helping to build cities and moving cargo from one end of the country to another. Our world, despite being grounded, is wide and full of wonders.

This year, a traveling horse show came to the village of Ellon just a short distance away. There I heard tales from the travelling horses, tales of adventures, races and shows, a whole world dedicated to our kind! Seeing the show horses strutting their stuff, I had a pang of envy for their glamorous lives. The people adored these horses, showering them with praise, attention, and fancy tack. Yet, even as I watched, a quiet satisfaction settled over me. We draught horses, we weren’t all about beauty and grace, we were about strength and loyalty, the steadfast backbone of rural life. We had a purpose that brought sustenance and comfort to our humans. And that, my friends, felt pretty special.

The air, however, whispered of change. People were experimenting, looking for more efficient methods for transport, ways to lessen the load on us hardworking steeds. They talked of these "machines," things with metal wheels and loud clanking noises that could travel faster and farther, even without a single hoof beat. Some of the old horses snorted, calling it "Devil’s work" and insisting it would never replace us. But something deep inside me felt an inkling, a feeling that the future held changes for us. Would it be a future with less work or one where we were left behind, relegated to memories in a world that was too fast and loud for us? Only time would tell.

1720 was a year full of contradictions. A time where we, the horses, played a crucial role in everyday life, but where a new wave of mechanization was quietly creeping in. Our presence felt ever-present – in fields, on roads, hauling goods, serving as loyal companions. But a small seed of doubt sprouted, a question of how the future would shape our lives. Yet, as always, the horses carried on.

We worked, we played, we bred, and we cared for our foals, the next generation who would face these unknown changes head-on. They say history repeats itself. And as we journey through the decades and centuries to come, we can learn much from the wisdom of our predecessors, even from a simple grey mare like myself. So join me as we continue to chronicle the fascinating story of horses throughout time, on EquiWorld. Remember to follow us for more captivating stories and updates! See you soon!

Emma, from Hayfield, Scotland.