A Year in the Life of Emma, the Grey Draught
1767, Hayfield, Scotland
Hello, dear readers! It's Emma here, your trusty, grey draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen. As the wind whistles through the highlands, reminding me of the chill that sits just beyond summer's embrace, I feel an urge to chronicle the world of horses as I know it in this year of our Lord, 1767.
Ah, 1767, what a year it has been so far! A year of burgeoning crops, plump fields, and the thrill of carrying the weight of the world, literally, on my broad shoulders. It feels like a time of change, too, and not just in the rhythm of the seasons. I see it in the eyes of my fellow equines, a quiet glimmer of a future different from the one our parents knew.
The morning sun has just crested the hills, painting the heather fields with streaks of gold, and my senses are buzzing with the familiar anticipation of a new day. It's this time of year, you know, when the dew feels like diamonds on my coat and the air is crisp with the scent of wild thyme, that I feel truly alive.
Let me tell you, it wasn't always this easy. As a young filly, back in '64, the world seemed like a blur of straw, endless oats, and the incessant commands of my farmer. We, the young draughters, spent our days pulling carts of peat, dragging heavy ploughs through the earth, and ferrying stones from the quarries. A backbreaking existence, I assure you! But there was a joy in the companionship, the shared work, and the simple act of feeling strong, of being needed.
And now, three years later, I am no longer a wide-eyed filly but a powerful young mare, carrying the burdens of responsibility, of duty. I understand my place in the world, and I embrace it with all my strength and unwavering loyalty.
But, the world of horses is evolving. I hear whispers on the breeze, of horses being used differently. There are stories of gentlemen travelling the world on swift steeds, riding as fast as the wind itself. It seems the focus is no longer on pure brawn but on elegance and grace. These “breeders of leisure," as the villagers call them, fascinate me. To race for sport, not labour, what a curious notion!
And then, there's talk of a horse fair, the largest gathering in the country, coming to our very town! I've only heard whispers, but the menfolk speak of horses from far and wide coming to Aberdeen. Horses that have travelled from the green fields of England, with stories from across the sea.
To be honest, the anticipation for the fair gives me shivers! Not just because of the novelty, but also because of the opportunity it presents. My mother always spoke about the horses of the Royal Stables in London, of the majestic steeds belonging to the King himself. What a marvel it would be to meet these equine superstars.
The farmer is planning to bring a few of the young geldings to the fair, and perhaps he'll take me along. A bit of travel might do my hooves good, don't you think? A chance to see the world outside Hayfield, and perhaps, to catch a glimpse of the life of a thoroughbred.
You know, these modern-day thoroughbreds are so very different from us draughters. They have sleek coats, a dash of fiery spirit, and an elegance that sends my heart racing. Yet, beneath the differences, there's a shared language of understanding, a silent conversation we share as horses.
While the prospect of meeting such remarkable horses excites me, a part of me wonders if I will truly understand their world. They seem to be the creatures of kings, of nobility, while we, the draughters, are the horses of the people. We are the tireless workers who ensure the crops grow, the homes are warm, and the nation runs on time.
And yet, I am not defined by my work. I have a heart that yearns for more than the field and the stable. I want to know what it feels like to be part of a grand spectacle, to hear the cheers of the crowd, to feel the rush of the wind in my mane. Perhaps, just perhaps, this fair will offer a glimpse into this exciting new world.
Oh, dear readers, I feel like I have been writing for ages. It's time to return to the barn, for a well-deserved rest before the demands of the day begin.
I'll leave you with this: Though the world of horses is evolving, one thing remains constant - our spirit. Our strength, our love of our work, and our fierce loyalty to our owners.
And who knows, maybe our lives as humble working horses will soon become the stories of the past, whispered through generations as legends of a bygone era.
Until next time,
Emma
