By Emma, Hayfield near Aberdeen
Good day, fellow equines! It's Emma here, and oh my, what a year it has been! I am turning 20 this very day, a fine age for a grey mare like myself, with my luscious white mane and tail flowing proudly in the wind. I've been working hard this year, hauling goods for my dear human family in Hayfield, near the beautiful city of Aberdeen.
Today, as the heather blooms and the air carries the scent of autumn leaves, I want to share a peek into my world, a world that, thankfully, has become less brutal than when I was just a foal. Things are improving, you know, little by little. The humans are realising how much we horses can do, and what valuable companions we can be.
But let’s start from the beginning!
1757: A year of change! The news has been filled with reports of battles in India, the East Indies as they call it. Wars can be dreadful, of course, but they also offer us work, for transporting men and supplies. My grandfather, old Baldy, once pulled a cannon carriage, he told us tales of dust, noise, and smells so pungent they almost made his hooves sweat. He'd often shiver at the memory, but he also felt pride in having served his country.
Speaking of grandfather Baldy, you might be wondering how life was for us in Scotland in the good old days! My earliest memories are of my mother, Lily, teaching me all about the art of pulling carts and wagons. She was the best teacher a foal could ask for! And those beautiful, long Highland winters, huddled in the stable with all my siblings. That's where my best friend, Poppy, learnt how to weave her tail into lovely patterns, like those we see on human gowns.
Life was simple, mostly focused on the rhythms of nature: the fields changing colours, the first snow dusting the fields, the gentle bleating of sheep grazing in the valleys. It was idyllic, really.
Then came the "agricultural revolution", a funny name, that humans like to use, because nothing much has really revolutionised itself for us horses. Yet, it means more fields are ploughed, more crops grown, and more work for us horses! The human farmers around Hayfield now speak of “efficient” techniques and “mechanized” equipment - what ever that is supposed to mean! It means we must learn to use more complicated harnesses. Sometimes, it all feels so…unnecessary!
However, I've heard a rumour that these changes are meant to be good for the horses, in the long run. Apparently, these "efficient" techniques will produce more food, leading to stronger horses. Time will tell, won't it?
There's one thing I'm quite sure of – no machine can pull the weight a good, strong horse like me can. Our hooves are our strength! The rumble of hooves against cobbled streets, the rhythmic crunch of the soil beneath us as we work – there's something incredibly satisfying about it, don't you think?
Now, to catch you up on some exciting events from the horse world:
The “Royal Horse Show” in London is always a highlight. My grandmother, Dolly, remembers her day pulling a fancy coach there - quite an honour for a simple farm mare like her! This year, she says the show was the most impressive yet. People, from far and wide, even royalty, come to see our magnificence, and the competition between horses, to judge their elegance and agility, is fierce. They're even talking about a 'breeding register' for pure breeds like my dear Aunt Pearl's clan – think of all the fancy names! I might just head down to London someday.
On a smaller scale, here in Scotland, we also have local fairs. Hayfield Fair this year, was particularly bustling! Imagine, rows and rows of beautiful horses all beautifully groomed and decorated! And the excitement of races! There are several competitions for horses - you name it, jumping, racing, or pulling carriages. They say a special breed, 'Highland Ponies' are even participating in a new breed of competition, one designed especially for them! They have unique talent you know, for negotiating tough terrain in the Highlands. They even carry riders on their backs - brave souls indeed.
Now, here's something new I've heard through the grapevine – there’s a growing trend in Britain for “riding horses”! People who ride us, for sport, even for hunting! Imagine the thrill! My good friend, Maggie, whose humans own a saddlery in town, she told me about it. Apparently, horses are being specially trained for this, they are expected to move differently and react to signals from their rider! My grandmother’s sister had a rider, a dashing young man she claimed was the “love of her life”, I suppose this new trend might just give my friend, Maggie, some business opportunities! I don't fancy being a riding horse, carrying someone on my back, but I'm curious nonetheless! It is a strange new world.
As for me, well, this year, I've been putting my hooves to the test, pulling a massive cart of produce across the countryside, carrying grain and flour, wood for carpentry and barley for our brewers. Sometimes, the roads are rough and my human calls out "giddy-up" to motivate me! It's all part of the job, you know. It keeps us horses strong, both in body and in spirit.
One of my favorite tasks, you know, is taking part in our local "community day"! We all gather together, a parade of horses, all beautifully decorated. My humans even have me wearing a red scarf, that I have to admit makes me feel quite proud. The entire town joins us, and we "parade" in front of everyone, proud to be of service to our humans. It's a special day.
You see, fellow horses, in this age of change, the human world is expanding and so are our opportunities. More work means better care, it’s quite simple really! It means more fresh hay, more bran mashes, and lots of tender loving strokes by the humans we love so much.
While things change at breakneck speed for our human world, we horses continue to gallop with steadfast strength and grace. We are loyal and hardworking creatures, dedicated to helping our humans. I like to think we keep a steady pace, always there, steadfast as ever, as our human world races ahead!
Remember, I write for you here at Equiworld. I will be posting my experiences of life as a draught horse, every month, here in 1757. If you’ve got your own tales to tell, don't hesitate to write in. Till next time!
