Greetings, fellow equines and horse enthusiasts! Emma here, a grey draught mare with a flowing white mane and tail, living the good life in the beautiful countryside near Aberdeen. Today, I'm going to take you back in time to the year 1725. Yes, that's right, we're delving into the history of our noble breed from almost three hundred years ago!
My story begins in the bustling, charming village of Hayfield, just a short trot from the bustling port city of Aberdeen. It’s 1725, and life here is much like it always has been, albeit with a few new developments. I, of course, am not here to chronicle the day-to-day minutiae, but rather to tell you about what the year 1725 brought to the world of horses.
I’m just a young filly of twenty summers, but even in my young life, I’ve seen my fair share of change. In these early days of the 18th century, we're still heavily relied upon for everything. Our power pulls the plows across the fields, ferries the goods to and fro from the bustling port, and pulls the heavy wagons that transport people across the countryside.
For me, life as a draught mare is a mix of hard work and good living. Every day is spent tending the land, but it's not a life of pure drudgery. The camaraderie of my fellow draught horses in the field, the warm hay at night, and the satisfying clink of metal harness upon our backs gives us a sense of purpose and pride.
Now, you might think, “Why would a horse write a blog about horse history, Emma? It's just a year, what happened in 1725 that was so important?" And I admit, it may not have been a year of major revolution. It was a quiet time for major advancements in our equestrian world. No dramatic changes in harness design, no revolutionary saddles being introduced - but change there was, if you knew where to look.
The Gentlemen’s Fancy: The Rise of Racing
1725 saw a steady increase in the popularity of racing among the wealthy gentlemen. This didn’t really affect our lives as workhorses much, but it did mean an increased demand for stallions bred specifically for speed and stamina. I, of course, being a hefty draught horse, had no chance at participating in these high-stakes races, but I watched as the “Thoroughbreds,” as they were known, began to garner attention. These finely bred steeds had a lighter build, longer legs, and a natural instinct for speed. Some people even said they carried an air of noble bearing! Though I admit to having a slight preference for my fellow heavyweights - sturdy and strong!
Even with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the "bloodlines" of these racehorses, nothing could rival the importance of the farm horse in our everyday life. I knew those Thoroughbreds wouldn’t last a single hour plowing a field or pulling a heavy cart through rough terrain, even if their elegance was undeniable!
The Growing Influence of Fashion
Fashion has a way of influencing all things, even us horses! While this year didn't see any dramatic alterations to the saddles we wear or the harness that straps us in, it was an era when horse owners, especially the upper crust, were beginning to prioritize the elegance and appearance of their steeds. The "smart” set even began to match the colours of their horses' harnesses with the livery of their carriages. They might say it’s superficial, but you can't deny a bit of glamour in your life! This, in turn, gave a bit of a boost to the artisanal skills of the harness makers. This demand for fancier, more decorated horse-related goods even led to an increase in the types of materials used in their craft, with things like silver, intricate designs, and beautiful leather being used to give our accoutrements a luxurious sheen.
But, enough about the finer things! My primary concern remains how my life, and the lives of my fellow horses, were affected. The year 1725 wasn’t about great upheavals but a continued quiet evolution. A shift, if you will, from a more utilitarian purpose to one where we, the horses, started becoming valued not just for our power and strength, but for our looks and spirit.
A Deeper Connection:
I feel that something more was also evolving in 1725 - the bond between horses and humans was strengthening. Even with these grand racing events and the burgeoning fashion of horses, most folks still rely on their farm animals to get the work done. It’s the farmhands who groom us daily, know our quirks, and depend on us as much as we depend on them. This deeper connection was a subtle, but ever-present factor. We felt the change, and perhaps that’s why the human/horse relationship had never felt more natural, more intimate.
This is the horse's world in 1725: a time of work, stability, and a growing appreciation for our value, both physically and emotionally. My hooves have already travelled through nearly a century since the start of the 18th, and although our world will undoubtedly evolve, 1725 remains a year etched in the fabric of my being. It’s the year I felt, as a horse, truly valued - and not just as a means to an end, but for the majestic, powerful beings we are.
Stay tuned, dear readers, for next month's EquiWorld blog, where we delve into the next milestone in the history of our equine brethren, right here at www.equiworld.org. Until then, may your oats be plentiful and your strides graceful!
