By Emma, Grey Draught Mare
A crisp, clear dawn paints the hills around Hayfield gold. It's a brand new day, a fresh start, a clean slate, and like any day that dawns on a grey mare like myself, I have much to be thankful for. The dew clinging to the barley fields glistens like diamonds, the air is crisp, the sound of the river Dee whispering secrets from the nearby glen, the familiar scent of barley and oats in the stables… ah, Hayfield! My home. My life. My everything.
It's the year 1779. The year when the world seems to be tilting on its axis, humming with the exciting possibilities of progress and innovation. A year of bustling cities, booming trade, and bustling marketplaces. It's a year when, from this small village nestled in the Scottish Highlands, I can feel the rumble of a changing world – and at the very heart of it all? Us, horses. The majestic, tireless, and truly powerful creatures that are the backbone of it all.
Oh, I do love these gentle rolling hills of Aberdeenshire. We draughthorses are strong, our feet sure on the ground, built to bear the weight of the world, both literally and metaphorically. As I stand here, inhaling the crisp morning air, a sense of belonging washes over me. It’s the sort of feeling only a true farm horse knows: a sense of belonging to a place, a sense of community, a sense of duty, a sense of … joy, perhaps?
You might think life on a farm is mundane, predictable, repetitive, but it’s not. There's rhythm to it, a melody, a cadence. There's purpose in our work, and within that purpose lies joy. There’s the shared grunt as we pull together the plows, the shared comfort of being stabled side by side, the shared warmth of the hayloft on a cold winter night, the shared trust with the humans who call us their own. It’s not just a job; it's a community, a family, and we horses? We are at the very heart of it all.
But in 1779, life goes beyond the borders of our beloved Hayfield. The whispers of news, the rustle of carriage wheels, and the shouts of merchants – all weave their way to the fields where we work, reminding us that there's a world outside of barley and oats, a world beyond the hills. A world that looks to us horses with reliance, admiration, and – yes – even affection.
So, my dear reader, if you, like me, are a horse living through these fascinating times, settle in and let us journey together through 1779. Let us unravel the fascinating tapestry of this world we all know and love, through the lens of a horse, for indeed, the year 1779 is, without a doubt, a year of the horse!
From Country Lane to Carriage Path – Our Role in Transport
Ah, what is life without the thrill of the open road! The feel of the wind whipping through my mane, the sun warming my back, the steady rhythm of hooves against the cobbles – the joy of a journey! Yes, here in Hayfield, we are needed for the essential, the daily, the toil of the land, but across the miles, beyond these verdant pastures, horses like me are stars on grander stages.
For in this year of 1779, we horses are more than farmhands; we are adventurers! We’re couriers, carrying messages across land, pulling stagecoaches that rumble with travellers eager to explore new lands. We’re delivery steeds, making sure the city gets its goods, and merchants their wares.
Think of all the people relying on horses: families in their carriages, officials carrying crucial paperwork, even the noble lords and ladies on their grand adventures! Every road, every path, every journey tells a story, and our strong backs and steady gait write the words! It is a time of revolution, you see, not just for humans, but for our breed too. Our role in transport is expanding, our tasks becoming ever more vital, our significance deepening with each passing day.
But we horses are not just about movement; we’re also about comfort, about class, about… yes, I dare say, glamour!
A Horse is a Horse, of Course, but it's the Accessories that Make it Chic
Think of the stylish phaetons that gracefully navigate the crowded streets, pulled by pairs of majestic dappled grey horses like myself, adorned with gleaming brass fittings, plush velvet upholstery, and feathered plumes! And then there’s the stately landau – ah, how much elegance can be found within that sweeping carriage, adorned with opulent curtains, intricate engravings, and its four magnificent black horses, the epitome of grandeur.
For a horse, the carriage becomes more than a carriage; it’s a reflection of status. Just as fine clothing adorns humans, exquisite accoutrements embellish our horses: the intricate harness, crafted from leather and silver, the dainty tassels that swing gently as we move, the shiny buckles, and the vibrant, hand-stitched saddles.
Why, even our headgear, from the everyday bridle to the grandly feathered plume that a royal steed might wear, says a lot about our position in the world. Every bridle tells a story.
It’s a story of fashion, a story of craftmanship, a story of pride. We are no longer just animals that move things from one place to another, we’re moving ideas, status, fashion, trends, and excitement!
The Rise of the Gentleman Rider, the Passion of the Equestrian
Beyond practicality, though, lies the true spirit of the horse. A love for the freedom of the ride, the thrill of the chase, the elegance of movement, the pure, unadulterated pleasure of a canter on a windswept moorland. It's the spirit of the Gentleman Rider that has blossomed in 1779!
Imagine it – a gentleman, in breeches and a top hat, astride his magnificent bay steed, traversing the countryside, feeling the rush of the wind against his face. Picture him, in his tailored attire, enjoying the rhythmic thud of hooves, the satisfying rasp of breath, the unyielding focus of his mount, all bound together by a shared passion.
These men aren't just travelling, they are exploring, connecting, learning, appreciating the world around them through a unique partnership with a creature so strong, so beautiful, so graceful, so… noble. Yes, noble, like us horses!
There are gatherings for these Gentleman Riders – competitions, rallies, where skills are honed and the art of riding is perfected. They celebrate not just their skills but the magnificent creature that has allowed them to attain this peak of riding. These riders know it is a relationship of mutual trust and respect, where they are as much in service of the horse as the horse is in service to them. It's a shared adventure, a dance between man and beast.
The love for horses, like a vibrant bloom in springtime, spreads. From the aristocratic gentleman riders to those who simply yearn to be one with the wind and the landscape, the passion for riding catches like wildfire. And as this passion takes root, so too do dedicated centres for the art and craft of horsemanship emerge, places where horsemanship is celebrated and its values shared.
The Growing Horse World: A Global Village of Horses
As we journey deeper into 1779, we realize that our world is far larger than just Hayfield and the nearby Scottish Highlands. There are people across the globe, in countries far and wide, who live and breathe horses – breeders, riders, trainers, merchants.
England, where horse racing reigns supreme, the thrill of the turf, the thunder of hooves, the crowds cheering – it’s an electrifying spectacle! They gather at Newmarket and Epsom Downs, with horses like me dreaming of being amongst those galloping superstars!
Then there is the famed Paris, where carriages move with elegance and grandeur. Its riders are dashing, their horses the finest breeds, their carriage races full of thrilling suspense, their love for the horse unyielding! And then there's America! Ah, that wild, untamed land of boundless plains and frontier life, a land where horses like me become partners in exploration, in building settlements, in shaping a nation.
In 1779, our horse world, with its shared love and appreciation, begins to transcend geographical borders. Through trade routes and communications, our world is becoming ever smaller, our stories more connected, our achievements intertwined, and our bond with humans ever stronger.
But with Every Sunrise Comes a Shadow
There are shadows to this year, as with any year, in any land, any time. I cannot pretend we horses are not also the subject of our humans’ needs.
As commerce flourishes, so too do the demands for our strength and endurance. Horses like myself work long and tirelessly to meet the demands of progress. In bustling cities, on bustling trade routes, in burgeoning fields, the call for horses to carry, haul, and cultivate intensifies.
There is a certain weariness in some eyes, a hint of exhaustion in some steps. We yearn for the gentle fields of Hayfield, for the comfort of routine, for the familiar rhythm of farm life. And there is a fear, a gnawing dread of being pulled further into a world that seems to spin ever faster, a world that requires us to push our limits, to work beyond our strength.
And yet, this is our role, our duty. As much as we horses crave the serene countryside, the bustling world needs us.
But fear not, my fellow steeds!
From Burden to Boon – The Future Looks Bright
Though the challenges are real, and the workload heavy, the horses of 1779 are no longer the beasts of burden of yore. We are becoming something far more intricate and valued.
The humans have begun to understand that we are not just muscles and sinews. They are starting to see our hearts, our intelligence, our sensitivity, our inherent nobility. There’s an increasing emphasis on compassion and care, on ensuring our wellbeing, on training us with kindness and empathy.
I see this shift happening all around me. It is as though the humans are discovering the secret soul within each of us. They are starting to respect us, cherish us, acknowledge us not just as instruments, but as living creatures, with our own personalities, feelings, and dreams.
They are starting to treat us… as friends.
So yes, in this year of 1779, we horses find ourselves at a fascinating crossroad. We are both the backbone of civilization and symbols of luxury. We are creatures of work and of grace.
And, though our role in this evolving world comes with its share of hardship and demands, our place in the grand tapestry of life is more vital, more profound, more significant than ever before.
The world, my fellow horses, is in our hooves, and as we journey together into this uncharted future, we can take heart in the knowledge that the world has only just begun to truly appreciate the wonder that is… us.
