Hello my lovely fellow equines, it's Emma here, your friendly grey draught mare from Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland. Welcome back to my little corner of the EquiWorld blog, where I delve into the fascinating history of our equine kind! This week, we're galloping through the year 1777, a time of change, challenges, and unexpected opportunities for us horses.
Oh, and a bit of a disclaimer, I've been calling this "my" blog for a while, but it's been quite the collaborative effort, really! I do most of the writing, but Farmer Angus, bless his kind heart, helps me with research and formatting, and lets me use his quill and ink whenever I need. It takes a village to blog, they say.
1777 - A Year of Revolution?
1777 was quite the year for us equines, especially across the Atlantic in those American Colonies! You see, things were a bit tumultuous over there, a bit of a tussle going on between the Americans and the Brits. We horses were very much caught in the middle, quite literally. It seemed everyone needed a good, sturdy mount - the British soldiers on horseback, the American patriots riding alongside, and even some brave ladies like Molly Pitcher galloping in, lending a hoof!
They tell tales of horses performing heroically in those battles, their courage and endurance earning them lasting legend. One American General, who favoured us horses like myself, General George Washington, apparently had quite the respect for us! He believed we were vital for transport and logistics, and I hear his men even relied on us to pull heavy artillery - that’s a brave soul if you ask me!
Back at Hayfield…
While revolutions were brewing on other continents, things in Scotland were pretty much business as usual. There were plenty of horses like me pulling carts, ploughs, and carriages. Farming life is tough, but steady, with fields that need tilling, hay that needs hauling, and supplies to be brought in.
Now, it's a bit of a funny thing, but while I was pulling carts at Hayfield, something pretty revolutionary was going on in my world. It had to do with something called "the New Scottish Horse"
The New Scottish Horse
Now, this “New Scottish Horse" was nothing to do with us horses - it was about something else entirely, but it had an impact on how people looked at us. You see, folks began breeding new kinds of horses for their speed, agility and their ability to adapt to different environments, specifically to combat the challenges they faced.
I imagine this 'New Scottish Horse' was more a horse-riding-warrior type, the sort with powerful limbs for leaping and running, unlike us working horses. The breeding efforts were about creating tough, adaptable horses fit for duty, both on and off the battlefield. These breeds were about more than just their muscles. They had the strength of character that helped them navigate the harsh Scottish terrain, and those same character traits would help them carry soldiers and supplies across the Scottish landscapes, no matter how tough the terrain or how unpredictable the weather.
A Year of Transition for Horses
Looking back on 1777, it was a year of transition. On one hand, there was this exciting focus on creating 'the perfect' horse - you can't help but feel a little proud, isn’t it, to see the demand for our abilities. On the other hand, there’s the ever-present reality of a horse’s life, being put to work, facing hardship, and yet contributing something vital, something needed to ensure that those fields get harvested, and that the supplies for the townsfolk are delivered on time.
It's not all work and war, though! Remember those New Scottish Horses? They became an inspiration for future breeding, leading to generations of strong, hardy steeds, who were valued as much for their work ethic and temperament as their speed. And who knows, maybe one of my offspring will become part of that great tradition of strength and courage.
Stay Tuned!
We're always discovering new things about our history, my dear readers! Keep checking back next week, as I embark on my next historical adventure and unravel the stories from the year 1778. We'll discuss how these events played out, not just across the Atlantic, but here in Hayfield, too. Until then, let's keep the hooves moving, hearts strong, and minds inquisitive. See you soon!
Emma (The Hayfield Grey Mare)
P.S. If you have any fascinating insights or anecdotes from your own family history about 1777, do leave a comment below! I'd love to hear what it was like to be a horse during that eventful year.
