By Emma, a Grey Draught Mare
Well hello there, my lovely EquiWorld readers! Emma here, a young grey mare, writing to you from my home in the beautiful countryside of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. The heather's in bloom and the air is fresh and crisp. I can feel the change in the season, and a bit of a change within myself too, as I get closer to being a proper, working mare!
It’s hard to believe it's been three years since I penned my first blog post for EquiWorld. Back then, I was a playful filly with the whole world ahead of me. Now, well, I'm almost fully grown and learning the ropes of life as a working draught horse.
A World in Transition
This year, 1752, seems to be a year of changes and developments for our equine brethren. Here in the UK, our calendar is undergoing a shift. No longer will we be clinging to the old Julian calendar, but embracing a newer, more accurate system: the Gregorian Calendar!
It's all a bit complicated, but from what I gather, we've lost 11 days in the process. Imagine! I think our human companions are getting all the good news. What will we lose from our precious days in the fields? There seems to be a lot of debate about the accuracy of these new ways and the old ways, but whatever it may be, I have a feeling this new calendar will change many things, just as the introduction of the "New World" (so far away!) seems to have brought a flurry of new challenges and opportunities for all our kin.
The Draught Horse: A Stalwart Friend
Speaking of challenges and opportunities, let me tell you, being a draught horse in the year 1752 is quite the rewarding job. Our strength and stamina are essential to people in this part of the world, and I'm quite proud of that!
We haul the carts laden with hay and wheat for the farmers, we pull the plough through the fields to get those potatoes ready for the long winter ahead, and we even assist in the grand ceremonies with the carriages fit for a Queen. It's tiring work, I won't lie, but knowing that we contribute to people's livelihoods makes it all worthwhile.
I'm lucky to have the best human companions you could ask for. My handler, young David, is as kind and patient as they come, and he’s teaching me so much about being a good, hardworking horse.
The Horse World: A Kaleidoscope of Colour
There’s a buzz in the air, a hum of excitement that fills me with a sense of optimism for the future. We’re not only hauling goods and tending fields; our role is evolving. We are, you see, moving beyond mere transportation and agriculture!
This year, I heard tell of a "Society of Gentlemen of England" who meet to discuss the fine art of horseback riding! It's called the “Gentlemen’s Riding School”, and they teach riders how to control and move their mounts with precision. I’m rather intrigued! It sounds like something my brother, a very spirited and handsome bay horse named Rupert, would enjoy!
Then there are the ladies! Yes, my friends, even ladies are discovering the joy of riding. We heard news from London that the ladies of fashion are adopting “riding habits” specially tailored for their horseback adventures! How elegant they must look! And speaking of elegant, I do think horses, much like the noble ladies, are more refined in London than they are up here in the Scottish Highlands. I've even heard tales of racing horses! But there's so much more!
There are new breeds emerging, including the Clydesdale, with its long legs and distinctive feathers, and the Shire, known for its strength and gentle disposition. This new world is quite a lot to take in, and the opportunities for us are limitless!
Keeping it Traditional
But with all this change and progress, it’s also important to remember our roots, our traditions. The love of a good race has been around for as long as horses themselves, and in my little village, we gather each summer for our local races. The sound of the hooves beating against the ground, the air filled with anticipation - it’s a sight that always brings a shiver of excitement down my spine.
My neighbour, the eldest in the stable, is the wisest soul I know. He is an older chestnut horse with a lifetime of experiences and he tells tales of days gone by. When I ask about the horses of centuries past, he reminisces about the early uses of horses.
He describes the horses of old as being "all-purpose," helping with everything from warfare and carrying mail, to being harnessed to carry ploughs and carts. His stories make me feel so proud to be a horse. Our strength and grace have always played an essential part in history, even before carriages were made, even before we wore the elegant trappings that I find so charming!
Looking to the Future
This year, 1752, holds so much promise for the future of horses. We’ve shown that we can be much more than just workhorses or racehorses. We are a part of families, friends, and society, and our unique beauty and character are being appreciated in new ways. I’m excited to see what tomorrow brings and to share my thoughts on the ever-changing horse world.
Don’t forget to visit my page at www.equiworld.org, and send me your thoughts! I would love to hear your tales from wherever you are in this vast, fascinating world.
Until next time,
Emma, The Grey Draught Mare from Hayfield
