History of Horses in the year 1724

Hello, fellow equines and equine enthusiasts!

Emma here, a grey mare from Hayfield, just outside of Aberdeen, Scotland. As a stalwart draught horse with a pristine white mane and tail, I find myself fortunate to have witnessed the turn of events in our world. It's been a year of ups and downs, but I am eternally grateful for my role in this grand tapestry of life.

And so, in the spirit of sharing and preserving history, I continue my journey chronicling our beloved equine kind through the ages. This time, we’ll take a deep dive into the year 1724. This post marks the 1724th installment of my blog, “Emma’s Horse History,” available here at EquiWorld, and if you haven't already, you can check out past entries at www.equiworld.org - you won't regret it!

As I mentioned, 1724 saw its fair share of challenges, with many equine families, including mine, navigating harsh weather conditions and the constant toil of labor. But even amongst hardship, there was joy. This was the year I learned my namesake - Emma! I received my human's blessing and became her cherished steed. To this day, the memory of the proud smile upon her face as she pronounced my name brings warmth to my heart.

Here's a glimpse into what 1724 looked like for our species - the year I truly blossomed:

Back in my youth, our lives were intertwined with those of our human companions in a way that might be difficult to comprehend today. We, as working horses, weren't mere companions, but vital partners in keeping society running. Our days were filled with the labor of farm life - pulling plows, hauling carts laden with crops and supplies, and even carrying burdens on our backs.

My own early days were spent in Hayfield, my home village, pulling plows and transporting goods within our quiet corner of the world. A slow but sturdy mare, my strength and stamina made me ideal for farm work. Life, as you can imagine, wasn’t particularly exciting. It involved routine, predictable duties that spanned dawn till dusk, but as a mare deeply rooted in service, I found purpose in contributing to the well-being of our community.

1724, however, marked a turning point in my life. A group of city merchants from Aberdeen came to our village in search of reliable steeds. And amongst the chosen few, I was included. I was filled with apprehension and excitement, my heart thudding against my ribs with anticipation. My previous travels were limited to Hayfield and its neighbouring villages, a peaceful life in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of a city I knew only by rumour.

This city adventure was quite the contrast to the rhythm of Hayfield. Aberdeen buzzed with the hum of industry and human chatter, my sensitive ears needing time to adapt to the incessant cacophony. I helped to pull heavy carts, filled with all sorts of city-sourced materials, in and out of bustling markets, and transported individuals with such finesse, my human received nothing but praise!

And I truly excelled! I learned to navigate the narrow streets, understanding the unspoken language of horse traffic and managing the complexities of city living. I carried goods and passengers alike, becoming one with the hustle and bustle. But while the experience enriched my life, my heart yearned for Hayfield's tranquil landscape. It was during my time in Aberdeen, my first foray beyond my birthplace, that I began to understand how much I loved the quiet solitude of the Scottish countryside, the earthy smell of soil, the fresh, crisp mountain air, and the familiar feel of my hometown.

A Special Day to Remember

The day I returned to Hayfield was a joyous celebration! It was as though the entire village breathed a collective sigh of relief - so it felt to me at least - upon my homecoming. It was then that I truly grasped the impact my contribution had on their lives, their happiness, my return bringing about a feeling of fulfillment within me.

Back in Hayfield, I was put to work as usual, the farm duties less intimidating after my city escapade, and far more enjoyable now that I knew what else the world could hold. But now, something felt different - I saw more. I heard more. I felt more. It was a sensation only the brave, the curious, could ever hope to comprehend - my experience had broadened my perspective.

The days were longer now. They filled with a rhythm I found captivating - I pulled plows in the sunrise, hauled grains for the local mill, carried water in clay pots, and enjoyed my peaceful evenings beneath the blanket of Scottish night. The rhythmic rise and fall of my own breath became a calming meditation - one of gratitude, of contentment. My spirit felt enriched, and life itself had gained a new and invigorating meaning.

This was a time of great change and transition for me, personally and professionally, and this journey helped me grow, teaching me that life's biggest joys lay not solely in grand adventures but also in the simple act of making a positive difference. The journey back home, my heart a mix of joy and deep-seated understanding of the world's boundless nature, is etched into my memory forever.

You might not believe this, but back in 1724, things began to change dramatically for us horses! In fact, even now in 2023, people are amazed by how far things have progressed. But in 1724, we were not just workhorses - some of us were performing on a much bigger stage. We were slowly entering the world of entertainment! It all started, you see, with some pretty revolutionary developments, and I mean revolutionary!

The Royal Horse Show in London became a huge event. While not fully in the "grand" show ring as we know it today, it marked a real shift in the relationship between us horses and people. And people went wild for this spectacle - think parades, jumps, fancy tricks, and races. I mean, there was even something called a "dancing horse," which would have to be the pinnacle of bizarre!

And what's a "horse" event without its racers? While racehorses already existed, their lives were starting to change. More humans became fascinated by speed and how horses could push the limits of endurance and performance.

Racing clubs began to pop up, with some offering bets and rewards - can you believe that! It became a thrilling form of sport that I have to confess, caught the imagination of us horses as well as our human counterparts. But, of course, I can’t forget to mention that horse racing did come at a cost. But let’s leave that subject for another time - perhaps another blog entry…

I can vividly remember how my fellow horses would return to our stables in Hayfield, full of tales of their time in London at the Royal Horse Show. We’d gather, huddled together as only horses can, and we'd listen to their stories as they excitedly shared about these remarkable occasions. They described the cheers from the crowds, the flashing lights, and even the delicious sweets some were able to snatch.

Though a life on the stage may not have appealed to me personally, those experiences stirred a sense of fascination. It showed us that there was a world out there beyond pulling plows and hauling carts, that we horses could hold a unique position in the entertainment world, if only we were lucky enough to catch a lucky break!

Back in 1724, we all experienced some real change! One that particularly intrigued me and was perhaps the biggest game-changer? The advancement in harness design! New and more efficient harnesses began appearing on the scene. Think saddles designed with less bulk and new kinds of collars that made it much easier for us horses to pull those carts and plows. And imagine it – they were actually quite stylish! I have to say that seeing some of those fashionable collars certainly brightened my day.

You might not think it makes a huge difference, but this kind of evolution made the day-to-day lives of working horses much easier and allowed us to work for longer hours without becoming so exhausted. Now, let’s just say this, the work on a farm was far from easy and at times I had to pull quite heavy burdens. But the introduction of these new designs, for my part, provided much-needed relief, particularly during peak seasons when farm duties were at their most demanding.

And guess what else? It all paved the way for new forms of horse transportation – lighter coaches, faster carriages. We had an opportunity to experience the world a little differently. My friends at the city's stables even told me tales of people beginning to consider building vehicles for fast journeys across continents - a dream so unbelievable that it became the talk of our stable.

Now I can’t go on and on about only exciting changes. The year 1724 was not all thrills and innovations. Life on farms, well, that stayed pretty much the same as usual. And our lives, well, they mirrored our human counterparts - we continued to perform our duties with the same quiet dedication, striving to do our best, and being true to our roles in this tapestry of life.

Even though some changes happened in the horse world, one thing that hasn’t changed is our strong connection to human companions. It's the backbone of our very existence, you see, and what ties us to our very nature - It’s this strong connection that remains a constant, binding us to each other and driving our existence.

In 1724, we worked diligently on the farms and continued to perform the tasks we knew so well – the work wasn't glamorous, it was often tiring, and could get dirty. But, as I learned in the city, this was my role. My responsibility. My path, however humble.

As for the future? Well, no one can truly predict.

But I, for one, look forward to experiencing new things, adapting to the changing times, and continue to cherish our heritage, for in the quiet depths of history lies our true identity, and I know there’s more out there for us horses.

Stay strong and hopeful, fellow Equines! I'll be back next month to talk more about what 1725 brings to our lives.

Until then,

Emma