Hello dear readers! Emma here, your favourite grey draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. Welcome back to my little corner of EquiWorld! It's been a while since I've penned my thoughts, and much has happened in the world of horses this year - 1765, to be precise.
You know me - a girl loves a bit of gossip. Well, rumour has it there are whispers of exciting new breeds coming over from across the seas. It's quite the scandal in the stable, as you can imagine! These “Thoroughbreds,” as they're called, are said to be lean, nimble, and with incredible speed. Honestly, I'm a bit worried about their strength. Are they sturdy enough to pull a heavy cart? My friend, the brown gelding next door, scoffed and said, "Emma, it's about more than muscle, darling." He's so dramatic, but he has a point. Some jobs are better suited for a little more finesse. I must admit, the thought of racing alongside such speedsters is rather appealing... a girl needs to keep her options open!
However, we are a practical breed, the Draughts, and my current duties in Hayfield remain the same. It’s a wonderful life. The gentle morning sun on my coat as I walk out of the stables, the rich scent of hay in the air, the rhythm of my hooves against the earth... pure bliss!
It’s funny how the work has changed a little over the years though. There's less need for me to haul carts for the locals. I heard the rumour mill saying that these fancy new wheeled contraptions are cropping up in the big cities – coaches and things - and apparently, these 'Throroughbreds' pull those around. The blacksmith was quite the chatty sort. He mentioned it with a mix of excitement and envy in his voice - I have to say it sounded like a rather grand life, galloping across the roads at breakneck speed, surrounded by luxury!
I'll admit, I have to admit it would be wonderful to pull a luxurious coach! Perhaps a royal coach with fine embroidery and elegant ladies on board - perhaps even the Queen herself. A girl can dream, right? But for now, I remain happy pulling my share of the load for our local farm. There is something very satisfying about helping the farmers with their produce. And I must confess I do get to meet a lot of new faces - it seems everyone around Hayfield has a story to tell about themselves and their lives with horses. I love learning about all the different ways our magnificent creatures are being used.
Take Mr. Duncan for example. You know, that kind old man who lives on the hilltop, always humming while he shovels hay? Well, he loves to share stories about his younger years. He’s told me all about how he helped build those fantastic new stone bridges across the river – “Strong, sturdy, made to last” is what he always says - and how vital his old horse, Ben, was to moving all that heavy stone.
It really does make me proud, knowing our kind are so much more than just animals - we're companions, partners, vital cogs in the machine that is life. Our strength is not just in our muscles, it's in our willingness to work hard, our loyalty to those who depend on us, and our incredible connection with humans.
Oh! And there’s something else! This year there is a big to-do in London. They're planning a competition, a ‘race’ of sorts! This competition involves those new ‘Throroughbreds’ going against each other. The talk of the stables is whether it's the strength that matters or the speed! It seems all those in the stables want to see the result! Of course, my heart leans toward those horses with more ‘substance’ but speed certainly is a quality I admire in others. I've heard tales of this competition – the “Royal Ascot,” as they call it. It's said to be an event that draws everyone who is anyone! I can just imagine the bustle of people and the energy in the air. It's going to be one of the biggest social events in England. Maybe even I'll make a trip to London and have a peek at the spectacle, what do you say? I have my best halter and bridle at the ready!
I'm just thrilled that even in these times of change, there's still so much value and appreciation for our breed - and horses in general! You know, one thing hasn’t changed: humans have always valued our hard work, our strength, and the way we contribute to life. That's something we should all be proud of.
This blog post is just a tiny snippet of what happened in the horse world back in 1765. It’s a thrilling time to be alive, dear reader! I'll be sure to fill you in on all the gossip from around Hayfield, especially what I hear from the local millers and their tales from across the country. It's the gossip that makes the life interesting, isn’t it? Don't forget to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
Stay well, my dear readers! And remember, in a world that changes, there's something very comforting about knowing that a horse's hooves will always keep rhythm with the beat of our hearts. Until next time!
Emma out!
